Business networking is as essential to running a productive business as it is to keep accurate accounts. It is surprising though how many people find business social networking a traumatic event.

In fact, if many people realised just how many others felt the same way, they would certainly feel much happier and more confident. In fact, this is key to overcoming a lot of this trepidation simply by remembering that so many others feel as uncomfortable and unsure as they do themselves. Once you realise that you not alone in this predicament, you will relax and start to enjoy the activity. And so will everyone else.

One of the reasons why so many feel unsure of themselves and lack the confidence to relax and enjoy a social occasion, is simply because they think they are 'on show' and everyone will be judging them. This then becomes their dominant thought and because they themselves know what their 'shortcomings' are, they think everyone else will spot them too!

Nothing could be further from the truth! Most other people are thinking the same as you and so they also are very reluctant to reveal too much of themselves. This is more applicable when they are attending an event for the first time and probably don't know a lot of people there. Which is quite amusing really when you relax and think about it. The bigger the event, the easier it is to get lost in the crowd so you may as well relax and make some new friends who are probably doing the same thing as you. Once you relax, people notice and relax themselves. Then you can get on with really communicating with them and have some fun.

Business networking doesn't have to be a serious and staid affair. Don't forget that everyone in the room or place is probably also another business person and you will share many similar problems and stories. This is the place to listen and share if you have already found a solution to something.

It is certainly not a good place to start sprouting all your achievements. This is considered bragging and no-one wants to be associated with a braggart.

If you still feel too exposed, then another trick is to forget about yourself and concentrate on those around you. Think of what they might be interested in. Start by asking innocuous questions because once you appear interested in them, people relax and open up. All you have to do is listen to what they are saying and ask questions or share your similar experiences. This makes conversation flow and once started, it can become a flowing river of information and so interesting that you don't even think about whether you are comfortable or not. You forget where you are and simply enjoy yourself and so so will everyone around you.