Knowing your goals is one thing; achieving them is another. That's where contacts can help, opening doors that may otherwise have been closed. Read our steps to success and words of wisdom to find out how to make networking work for you.

Steps to success

• When you first think about networking, make sure you're absolutely clear about what you're hoping to achieve. Knowing your own goals is just as important as finding people to help you to reach them.
• Make a list of your strengths to remind yourself of the skills, experience, and knowledge you have to offer others.
• Try to build your networks before you need to ask others for help. This will show that you're interested in building helpful alliances rather than just looking out for your own interests.
• Put together an action plan of who you intend to contact when, and which events might be useful to attend. Keep track of your plan and your progress so that you can change tack if you need to.
• Think about how you can market yourself as well as network. Take a step back and see yourself as a 'brand' for a few minutes. All successful brands have USPs, which set them apart from others. What is your USP?

Words of wisdom

"Networking is so important for running a business and I try to put aside two days of the week to get out. It's vital to be around like-minded people, particularly for women, because you can learn so much from other business owners."
Elaine Fairfax, Animal Friends Insurance

"Networking is one of the things you just have to do. To be in touch with what's going on in the world and in other organisations is crucial. You learn from others and it opens new doors."
Perween Warsi, S & A Foods

Brush up on your networking nous, read The Simple Approach: Succeed as a new leader.

everywoman is offering Pipex users a discounted price of £5 per book (originally £6.99), or £30 for the set of eight titles. Find out more.