Most articles about business networking include discussion of the various online networking sites such as LinkedIn, Jigsaw, and naymz. There are also sites that help you maintain the accuracy of contact information that you have collected, e.g. Plaxo.  The underlying goal seems to be for you to extend your network and/or help you connect with others who might be able (and willing) to help you. But what has occurred to me is that there is another valuable dimension to networks - and that is the net. Think fishing. Cast a net and pull it in; the stronger the net, the more it can catch. So as you build out your network, be sure to tie the knots tight and continually maintain it. You never know what might you might catch!