Be genuine Don’t rub shoulders with people only because you want to use them for their client list or think they can help you out in some sort of monetary manner. Expand your horizons as a business man or woman on upfront grounds. If people get the sense they are being used, your acquaintance will ultimately do more harm than good.Follow your interests Don’t get involved in a group solely for practical business purposes. It likely won’t help much if you show up just for the sake of being seen and showing up. Active participation is the only way to form meaningful relationships both with groups and other likeminded individuals. The best way to inspire yourself towards diving in is to join groups that legitimately interest you.Don’t name drop You may know the head honcho here and an up and comer there, but name dropping just to establish yourself as someone important within a certain business community will only downgrade your reputation. Yes, feel free to pass on names of people you do know in a way that might help that person’s career, but do not casually mention names of executives just to heighten your own profile in the eye’s of others. These boastful efforts are often painfully transparent, even if you are well connected.Use your information If someone gives you a name or number to call, call it. That should go without explanation but all too often people are hesitant to accept help when the opportunity presents itself. They gave you the information for a reason, not so you could file it away in a pocket, contact list or drawer somewhere and never think of it again.