Networking is for takers, Neighboring is for givers

I hear the word “networking” used a lot in conversations about doing business. It usually goes something like this. “Hello, I’m Joe. I am running a business and I was wondering if you would do me some favors? There might be something in it for you someday and I do hope that by your doing me some favors and helping me you will benefit somehow, I just can’t see those benefits right now.

It’s a takers conversation. There is nothing in it for you other than a business card that might do something someday.

Now neighboring on the other hand is about being in a real relationship with real people and doing something that creates something valuable together. Neighbors do give and take but they also live in the same neighborhood so whatever they create on their own should be adding value to everyone around them. So if everyone in the neighborhood started creating value privately and together they would be unstoppable.

I think the goal should be to create value where you are and to create value with your neighbors.

Here’s to being a neighbor not a network.