11) Then ask receiving party to confirm numbers (or other critical data) by repeating them. Although this may seem awkward, it prevents misunderstandings. Better yet, send written copies of all critical information.

12) When possible, plan your statements by jotting down an outline of your key ideas before speaking. This contributes to a more efficient meeting, helps you appear more thoughtful, and avoids embarrassment of making a verbal gaff.

13) Use your best, most focused listening skills. Pay addition to content, as well as inflections, voice tone, word selection, emphasis, assumed intentions, and your intuition.

14) Avoid shuffling papers, moving about, or tapping objects. Everyone else will hear noise. It's distracting and irritating.

15) Reinforce accomplishments by distributing copies of key ideas and agreements during meeting. You can send these, for example, by e-mail or fax.

16) Stay fully present during meeting. Avoid working on other tasks, such as reading mail or filing papers. These reduce your ability to participate intelligently in meeting.

17) Avoid using mute button to talk to someone in your office during audioconference. First, this shows discourtesy to both parties - person in your office and people in teleconference. It also takes your attention away from meeting, causing you to miss important information. And be warned that people have found themselves in serious trouble when mute button failed.

18) Prepare minutes soon after meeting. Send a draft to key participants to confirm that your notes accurately describe results of meeting. Minutes should be released within a day or two after meeting in order to be useful. After that, they become stale.

Properly conducted, teleconferences contribute to efficiency of effective business. Use above techniques to make sure your meetings do that.

Myth #4: Only home business owners or solo business owners join networking groups. Truth: Home business owners join groups quicker because they're looking for community outside their homes. However, many bricks 'n' mortar businesses join networking groups and do extremely well, too.

Myth #5: Only business owners join networking groups. Truth: Professionals, usually executives and agents who work for existing companies, join to promote their companies' services and/or products, too.

Myth #6: Multi-Level Marketing folks are not welcome at networking groups. Truth: If you are an MLM-er and attend meetings to sell your products, you'll get a warmer reception then if your focus is about building your down line. Allow your product sales to increase your down line.

Myth #7: Dues are so very high. Truth: Membership dues vary from group to group - some groups have no dues and others charge dues of $500 per year. Find a group that fits your needs or start your own!

Myth #8: You must refer to those you meet at your meetings Truth: No one wants to refer people they don't know well, so your goal at these meetings is to get to know other members until you're comfortable referring them. Sometimes, you may have another associate/friend outside group that you refer instead of, or in addition to, one of your networking partners.

Now, while you're usually not "required" to refer a particular person, remember that referring business to other members is part of business networking process. (In a few groups, not referring others is a big "no-no" and you will be asked to leave; ask about rules before you join.)

Myth #9: You must attend all meetings. Truth: The commitment of your time and talents to a group is very important, since you’ll be part of a team of business owners. In some groups, you - or a representative - must attend all meetings. Most groups have a 75% mandatory attendance of its members. A rare few groups have no attendance rules.

Myth #10: I have to join right away. Truth: Each group has its own "flavor." Many groups allow you to attend two meetings as a guest before you have to decide to join or not. Pretty fair rule!

The bottom line is this: People like to do business with people they know and trust. Relationships -- business and personal -- take time to develop. Remember that networking isn't about instant gratification - it's about long-term partnerships. The opportunities are numerous – business networking groups are varied enough so that any woman can find at least one group that feels like "home." Or two… or three…

So go grab a cup of coffee and visit list of online and offline networking groups I've compiled over years. It's time to get out and become a Networking Queen! If I can do it, you can, too! http://www.coachmaria.com/business/networking.html