"Today's successful networker does more listening and less talking. The more you can find out about your potential customer the better equipped you will be to meet their needs," says Chamber.Networking is the way to put your business first and speed networking is the way to do it better and faster. The Chamber of Commerce introduced this concept to the North West in 2005 and literally hundreds of businesses have learned the tricks of the networking trade - doing more business with business colleagues, each company leaving with loads of leads and even more contacts. But it's what you do with those leads and contacts after the event. This is the crucial second step in the process.Speed networking is a relatively new concept, similar in nature to the Speed Dating craze that has swept the country. Instead of meeting potential dates, you meet potential business contacts. You meet individually with 20-30 business professionals for about 5 minutes each. During each meeting there is an exchange of ideas and advice as well as an opportunity to hear about someone's business and tell them about yours. In the Everglades Hotel last Tuesday night, over 45 businesses learned the tricks of the trade from networking specialist trainer, Harry Harpur from the Loop. Harry has vast experience in networking & skill development. He talked the participants through the networking steps, challenges and common pitfalls. He said, "One of the most common mistakes when networking for the first time is to talk too much about your own business." Janice Tracey, Chamber CEO agreed: She said: "Today's successful networker does more listening and less talking. The more you can find out about your potential customer the better equipped you will be to meet their needs."She continued, "The follow up is also extremely important. There is no point in investing time in meeting someone, taking a business card, finding out what they do, sell, need, or like, and not following up with a phonecall or email. Networking is about building long term relationships - not a quick sale." Janice concluded: "One of the main problems with traditional networking events is that people tend to stick with the same small groups of colleagues and acquaintances and as a result, don't get to meet new contacts who could benefit them and their businesses. A key theme to all our networking events will be to encourage much more interaction communication.Next week sees the start of a series of Top Tips for Business which will run for 6 weeks. The first in the series will be TEN TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING.