Hunter or Farmer?

Tomorrow is the first day of antlered deer season in Pennsylvania. Thousands of hunters will be tramping through the forests in search of their trophy bucks and venison for the winter. Many of them will go through the entire day without ever even seeing a buck at all. Many will go through the entire season without ever seeing an elusive buck! Without luck in their corner, the season will end with no success.

In business, you have a choice. You can be a hunter or a farmer. Hunters search and search the fields of people always hunting for someone to buy their products. They hunt ... they hunt ... and they hunt. Many times, they do this alone, just like the hunters in the woods. Many times, without any success.

In my opionion, the better choice is to become a farmer! Farmers plant the seeds first and harvest a bountiful crop later. Farmers nurture their crop, knowing that if they do, it will provide for a long winters feast. Business owners who become farmers nurture their network. They help people in need, planting their seeds, knowing that in return, they will help them as well. This strategy will always provide for a bountiful crop of business opportunities and future referrals. The farmer does not need to rely on luck at all ... but instead relys on his/her ability to plant the right seeds and nurture the crop.

If you're a "farmer", how do you nurture your network?