The Seven Types of Networking Groups

When looking to join a business networking group, keep in mind that in most cities you’ll have many different options to choose from.  You can generally divide the choices into seven different groups, however, which will make your final decisions much easier to make.

1. Strong-contact networks (BNI) -- Structured explicitly to pass business referrals among members, they allow only one member per profession. Strong-contact networks are particularly good for developing in-depth relationships because you see the same members week after week and pass referrals as a part of each meeting.

2. Casual-contact networks (chambers of commerce)  -- Bring businesspeople together in a less-structured context than strong-contact networks, but for many they are a primary source of referrals; membership is not limited by profession. These groups are good for developing breadth in your network, but deep, long-lasting relationships can be formed as well.

3. Service organizations (e.g., Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Optimists) -- Associations that exist to provide and support humanitarian efforts and good works in the community and larger venues. They also bring people together in settings that facilitate referral and knowledge networking. Like casual-contact groups, they help you add breadth and diversity to your network.

4. Professional associations (knowledge networks) -- Established to exchange information and ideas among those in a given industry, as well as to promote and support that industry. These networks often include direct competitors, but they also provide contacts in related, non-competing businesses as well.

5. Social/business organizations (Jaycees, business singles clubs) -- Combine social activities with business networking and can provide a variety of networking opportunities; many tend to resemble singles bars.

6. Women’s networking groups -- Still important networking organizations, but are slowly disappearing as women enter the business mainstream, especially as professionals, entrepreneurs, and small-business owners.  In mixed strong-contact groups such as BNI®, about 40 percent or more of the members are women.

7. Online networks -- A new phenomenon covering a wide range of interests. Many, such as www.Ecademy.com, offer business-networking opportunities. Just as with more traditional networking groups, you need to develop relationships of trust with online networks as well. Other ways to network online include starting your own blog and e-mailing your company newsletter.

Comments

[Andrey Polston]

This article is quite useful. I work as a motivational/technology coach with primarily real estate professionals at this point and I can definitely vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in this blog. I will be forwarding this out to my current newsletter recipients and I will be checking out the links on this site.

Keep up the great content!

[annalaura Brown]

this is great. I love networking. It's fun as well as profitable.

[aezel garcia]

what is the types of networking? not a group......