A Scout is Trustworthy, this is the first of 12 values that all Boy Scout have impressed on them over and over again. Trust is a core idea and is often something that companies and people play fast and loose with as a core value. Trust is not about honor as we all may have the best of intentions of being honorable only to fail for reason within and beyond our scope of control. Best efforts are honorable but trust is about delivering.

I have been reading quite a bit about Chris Brogan and Julien Smith's news book "Trust Agents". From the commentaries I have read this evening the book is about how to be more then just a social butterfly of the web 2.0 social media world but how to find real value and create real value. This is certainly something we have covered before and is certainly worthy of more discussion however the concept of trust really got me thinking about a discussion I had with a new ExecTec member about Linkedin and social networking in general.

So many people fail to see purpose or more specifically the conversion from participation in networking. We all love the concept and lets face it any time we discuss networking many people are drawn to the topic. However in point of fact not many people are completely satisfied with their networking ROI.

Today there are mote tools and opportunities then ever and more people are drawn to within reach of our network. However there is more dissatisfaction with online networking then ever and clearly many people feel more time is being wasted. Is stuff being achieved, sure, but then again if you asked out every person you meet you would probably date a lot of people but the goal of meeting the right person might still elude you.

Many of you are part of ExecTec but you don't really participate. You are drawn to the idea of networking but you do not feel that the results will be there if you put forth the effort.

I think ultimately Chris and Julien identify in their title the key missing element. Trust and more specifically trustworthiness is what separates good vs great networking. My brother often says there are friends and friendlies, the difference being ultimately you can trust that the friend will really be there for you when it counts and the friendlies will not even take your call.

Sometimes I get the sense that people are looking for a quick fix. A way to gain advantage over the next guy but with little real effort or commitment. Can you use social networking to your gain with little or no effort? Perhaps, although as more people hop on the social media bandwagon it is getting harder and harder to stand out. Trust and trustworthiness are the keys to great networking and perhaps they do not come without effort and commitment.

I often say that rather then saying "let me know if I can be of aid" at the bottom of an email you should commit and say "tell me what I can do for you." Scary words to write, feel free to try it out and see if it does not give you real pause before you send an email with those words in it.

We once got into a discussion as to what qualified a real friend and strangely enough the concept of driving someone to the airport was something everyone agreed you would only do for a real friend. Ultimately, if you offer to get someone to the airport they are trusting you to do it. In Los Angeles there is not time to spare to get a cab if your friend flakes and missing a flight is a travelers hell reserved for the unfortunate and those with bad karma. So to offer is to commit.

So the key to solid networking is to develop deep and trusted relationships with those in your network. Relationships of trust are not made in a night they take time and interactions to develop. I was struck driving to work the other day that Bronwyn, who has been join me and others at ExecTec dinners coming up on 5 years, did something for me the other day that shows how deep a level of trust that has developed between us. Bronwyn covered for me two weeks ago when I suddenly got sick and could not make the dinner. Now honestly this was hardly the first time she had covered for me and it was not even the first time she had covered for me when I was to ill to make it to dinner. So what made this occasion so different? Simply this, Bronwyn is in the middle of launching a business (Peoplematch which is well worth checking out) and as we all know there are never enough hours in the day when one is launching something. We have not seen as much of Bronwyn who normally is a regular fixture at our dinner as she clearly is busy with good reason. However I was down and out and she was the first person on my mind to cover. Bronwyn did not even hesitate a second in saying yes. I did not even have the presence of mind (ok I had been very sick for 24 hours with a stomach bug) to think that my timing was less then perfect. But Bronwyn is a trusted friend.

You may be thinking that after nearly 5 years of ExecTec dinners, I should not be surprised at the depth of our friendship but Bronwyn would try and aid almost anyone but I know that this level of trust is not something she grants lightly.

Trust is something that is not easily earned or granted but is key to a solid networking connection. It is not enough to have tons of connections as those friendlies will not be there for you when you need them. Your well may be deep but if there is no water there you will still be thirsty.

Trust Agents is a book about how to be someone that people seek out and trust. There is no quick fix here and some might argue this is not a teachable skill. You either are an agent of trust or you are not. I think perhaps that anyone who truly wants to commit can and that if you make it your habit to build networking relationships on trust then you will be someone who people desire to network with and ultimately the ROI of networking will take care of itself.

Join us face to face at dinner as we discuss trust and networking as it is the best way to take the first step to building a solid trust base network.

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.