Today we´re resuming the untranslatable words and phrases section of this blog, with a term that´s widely used in English, especially in workplace and enterprise-related environments, and that, for the most part, I don´t think people are even trying to translate into Spanish anymore: networking.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines networking as "the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions. Specifically, the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business". The term was formed by turning the word "network" into a verb, and I love it because it perfectly encapsulates its meaning: working on your contacts network, to expand it and make it stronger (you could also read it as net+working, which is literally working on your net).

In many workplace environments (if not all), as well as in life, networking is paramount, even though we may not realise it sometimes, or it may take us a long time to see it. I remember that, back in the day, it took me a while to shake off the belief that "chatting to people at work" didn´t count as working... And now I do recognise its tremendous value, I pay a lot more attention to it, and I enjoy it immensely when I get the opportunity to meet others in person, like last Friday, when I was able to spend a day in our Galway office and (re)connect with several colleagues (thanks, folks!).

Having said, that, I get the impression that many of us have a love-hate relationship with networking, so here are a few phrases (translated by me) which I hope will help to add some perspective, starting with the message in this picture, because at the end of the day, that´s what this is all about: "When people support each other, amazing things can happen".

(Photo of a page from the book Be kind, be cool, be you! by Nikki Miles).

Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting.
It’s about cultivating relationships.

Ivan Misner

Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting
people with people, people with ideas,
and people with opportunities.

Michele Jennae

Everyone you’ll ever meet
knows something you don’t.

Bill Nye

 And lastly, my favourite:

Networking with integrity creates a greater willingness of all parties to be part of a human conduit to serve as energy and resource to one another. Sometimes you will give more than you receive, and sometimes you will get back more than you give. It’s not about keeping score.

Chris London

How about you, how good are you at networking? And how much do you value it?