There may be times when you feel stuck in your business. Sometimes you're missing a vital piece of the puzzle. Sometimes you're just having a bad day and need a little help. Well think positive; that's what your network is for.

So what is it? Put simply, your network is everyone you know: friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, clients, neighbours, suppliers and so on. With some, the connection is strong and reinforced every day; with others, you may not have spoken for years but the connection (however tenuous) can still be there.

It's a cliché – but true – that everybody is different and everyone in your network will have a different set of skills and knowledge and attitudes. When you need something that you can't provide for yourself, someone in your network might be able to help. Likewise, when they need something, you might be able to help them (a true network is two-way; symbiotic not parasitic.) Also, everyone in your network has a network of their own. So even if no-one has what you need, they may know someone that does and be willing to connect the two of you. This has the double benefit of you getting what you need and also expanding your network.

Many of my clients have this question : “So how do I extend my network?”