See MyLinkWiki Networking Relationship  and Networking Contract

Overview

Despite the rise of social media and online networks that have been around for over 10 years, networking relationship remain poorly understood.  It's somewhere between being a buddy or business associate and a barely known contact.  This page attempts to better define it.

What it is not

It's easier to detail what a Networking Relationship isn't. 

• It's not a commercial relationship.  The other party is not necessarily a business prospect or customer.  Commercial relationships today are defined by law, such as CAN SPAM, and easily managed though opt-in or opt-out one way mailing lists.
• It's not a personal relationship.  The other party is not necessarily someone you've personally know well.

Networking Relationships are not exclusive.  It's typical that people with a business or personal relationship ALSO have a networking relationship.

What it is

A Networking Relationship is one of mutual support and communications between individuals.  Network updates and requests may be of a personal, professional, or business nature.  Staying in touch with your contacts is a fundamental part of networking. How can I help you, or vice versa, if I don't know what's new and what you currently seek or provide?

Relationships range from colleagues that actively help and respond to one another to contacts that have not met in person who accept periodic communications and requests but respond or help only where and when possible and practical.

Expectations

Expectations about support and contact are of course in the eye of the beholder.  I share my own in my personal  Networking Contract.