Not all networkers are created equal. There are broadcasters, procrastinators, collectors, clubbers, et al. Moreover, they can be karmic and/ or transitory. See the descriptions below to find out where you fit in.

Broadcast: Creating content and picking up connections based on the value of that content. Network value is tied to the audience that was drawn to the content. [attributes: Past, Present, Uni Directional Flow, little follow-thru, Open]

By Title or By Position: Network is built upon who you are and what you do. The question is will those connections exist when you are no longer doing the same thing. Tends to not network outside their industry [attributes: Past, Present]

Open Networking: This style involves becoming connected to anyone and everyone on the theory that any connection might be of value to you and or your other connections and therefore having thousands of connections is valuable. [attributes Present, Future, Online, High Flow, Open]

Collecting: This is a variant of the Open Networker but collectors are not interested in sharing their connections unless it is for specific gain. [attributes:Low Flow, Past, Future, Closed]

Mega Network: This person who typically has 2,500 to 25,000 connections (not to be confused with followers on twitter) and probably does not know many of them well but provides real value by passing connections back and forth between their massive network. [Past, Present, Future, Open, Heavy Flow, Low Follow Through]

Karma Networking: Doing what ever can reasonably be done for any of your contacts without expecting anything specific in return. Generally open contacts if one has met and or interacted with the other party in more then just passing. [attributes: Open, Past, Present, Future, Reasonable Flow & Follow Through]

Procrastination: This person always means to get to it when they have the time but never actually cultivates whatever network they happen to have and certainly is not actively growing their connections. They will go to events, register for services and groups but rarely truly participate in networking. [attributes: Low Flow, Closed by default, Present Focused]

Transition: This is a style adopted when someone who is not an active networker is placed in job transition. It is all about survival and getting a job.

Sales: This person is all about sales and does not typically want to network past a 1st or 2nd degree and is mostly interested in immediately gratification of closing the sale. [attributes: Future, Open, Good Follow Through]

Moving On: This person is focused on the present needs and once those are met they move on to new contacts and do not ever circle back. [attributes: Future, Open,]

Clubber: If you are part of the same club or organization all is good with this networker but otherwise you might find them difficult to approach. [attributes: Present, Closed, Good Follow Through]

Attributes:

• Focus: What is the goal of your efforts? Are you building a network for you or your employer?
  
• Open/Closed: Open Networking is a come one come all approach and closed networking is very selective.
  
• Online v Offline: Some people are face to face or only over the phone while on the other hand some people use Facebook, Twitter, Friendfeed, and Linkedin to maximize and drive their efforts.
  
• Flow: How much traffic are you moving through or with your network? How much activity is going on with your network and you
  
• Follow through: How much do you act upon or follow up with your connections.
  
• Past, Present and Future: Are your efforts focused on your past, present or future connections?

Join us for the first ExecTec of 2009 as we discuss networking and networking styles. No matter your style you are sure to meet new people and expand your network. So come out and help get 2009 off to a solid networking start.

As always, there is no better way to meet and connect with other executives then over dinner and conversation. $21 in advance via PayPal or $25 at the event gets you a full dinner, drink and the best networking around.