Do you join for business or to socialise?

There's been a lively discussion on the Skillfair LinkedIn group on the reasons people join different networking organisations or professional institutes. Some people have joined to get access to insurance or meeting spaces whereas others are more interested in developing their specialist skills.

What seems very clear though, as one member put it,

"There is no doubt that those independent consultants who ‘put themselves about’ – i.e. proactively network in their local/regional business community, will do far better than those who just sit back and hope business will come to them."

 So even if your choice isn't perfect it will be better than doing nothing!