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Business networking is a method by which business opportunities are created through social interaction with people from similar or complementary business backgrounds. Though the primary benefit of networking may be increased sales, it can also result in other benefits like finding new or lower cost sources of funding, or cheaper suppliers, recruiting highly skilled employees which ultimately boost business profits.

A business network may be as simple as the traders or retailers association for a particular locality or marketplace. If a regular customer of a grocery shop is looking to buy a particular electrical device for the first time, he may ask the grocery shop keeper to recommend any supplier. The grocery shop owner may recommend a particular merchant who is a member of the trade association. Most business networking is usually through trade, industry associations and at trade fairs.

Compared to advertising , business networking does not involve spending much money. However, a lot of personal effort and time and required to develop and remain in touch with business contacts. Not every one may enjoy networking, and what is considered networking in Western countries may be called corruption in Asia.