Networking Know How Spells Financing

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5. Pick a sensei of the day. This is someone who has taught you a lesson or reminded you of something important in life. Your sensei can be anyone. It doesn't matter. The important thing is to acknowledge that there is much to learn and you are being offered valuable lessons constantly.

My sensei of the day yesterday was one of my company's staffers. Her calm, persistent tackling of new tasks and taking on of new challenges reminded me to do the same. The day before my sensei was the gardener whom I had fired, then rehired a year later. We have a fabulous relationship now that I've learned a better way to communicate with him in order to help him do the best possible job for me.

6. Practice the "drive-by schmooze." Parties, conventions, and meetings with groups of all sorts are great opportunities to network, but sometimes you'll be tired, not in the mood, or have too many events in one evening. This is when you'll want to use the drive-by schmooze. Here's how to do it:

a. Give yourself time limits. Give yourself 30 minutes to mingle, then determine if you need to stay any longer.

b. Set your goal. Determine the number of new connections you want to establish. Remember, your goal is meaningful connections, not simply contacts.

c. Let your intuition guide you. Ok, this may sound flaky, but it works for me! Stand near the door, in a corner, out of the way. Stop your thoughts. Silently ask to be guided to the people you need to connect with. Then start walking. You'll be amazed who you meet.

d. Connect. You'll always resonate with someone at an event. When you do, ask questions about them, such as: How did you get started in your field? Who is your ideal customer? We all love to talk about ourselves, and these questions will not only help you form a connection with this person, but will also tell you how to help them.

e. Offer help and follow through. If you can provide help, jot down ideas on the back of a business card, commit to follow up, and then do it. If you've had a fruitful conversation and want to take it further, offer to meet for lunch or coffee. People say life is 90% about showing up. Nonsense! Life is 90% about following through!

Networking comes down to creating an extended family. It's about developing connections, caring about people, increasing the size of your tribe. Most of all, networking is not the awkward social ritual many of us think it is. Networking is actually fun, and in many cases, a key to getting and staying financed.

Christine Comaford-Lynch, CEO of business accelerator Mighty Ventures, is the author of the best-selling book Rules for Renegades. She writes her column on small business financing every other week.