By Michele Katz,

NAWBO President

"The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person's needs ahead of their own." - Bob Berg

When I started law school in the late 90's, it didn't occur to me that networking was important -- we all thought that studying was the key to success. But in the first semester the entire class was invited to a lecture entitled "For the Bottom 90%" - it had an enormous impact on me. We were told that while a small percentage may get by with intellect, how smart the rest of us were may actually be less important than the relationships we build. Many women find it challenging, but networking is fundamental to growing a business. I believe that we would be more successful if we think of it differently.