Networking makes the world go round. Networking makes the world a smaller place. Networking keeps us all connected. Professionals and students alike can relate to these networking cliches and have experienced them at one point. Whether at a business meeting, networking event or follow up, professionals have probably encountered a reoccurring event, thought or experience. "Deja-Vu" is actually a French phrase which literally means: 'already seen'. It relates to events and physical, mental and emotional situations that have taken place in the past. In this case, deja vu in regards to networking relates to a contact or person that you were already met, or a method or process that you already tried, or a service or product that you already bought, or a venue or group that you already visited. How can professionals learn from these type of situations without getting frustrated or discouraged? How can professionals, students or networkers break the cycle and use this to their advantage?

At a meeting or social event, a colleague may recommend a contact that can help grow your business. Unfortunately, you are familiar with this contact and did not find the relationship profitable. Instead of dismissing the situation, you should try and re-visit it. Follow up with the contact and try to facilitate business from a different angle. Approach the situation a fresh and find a new way to connect or do business. Send the contact concise and accurate information about yourself, your business or your products and services. Give them an opportunity to review the material before setting up an appointment to do business. Enlarge the circle and include other colleagues or business contacts in your meeting. They may be able to strengthen the business initiatives and provide insight that may have been missed in the initial meeting.

The same process can be used for products or services that you have used in the past. Take time to evaluate why the product or service was not beneficial. Try and find ways to incorporate it into your business model or create a new purpose for that service or product. If the service or product is not valuable to you, consider it for friends, colleagues or clients. Professional can even be creative and offer it as a package along with their services if that is applicable. The important part of this process to creatively find a way to use the product or service to expand and build your business.

If a colleague or business counterpart recommends a club or association that you have already visited and you did not find a good connection, try and revisit the club or association. Many times clubs, associations and groups will go through a transition or re-phasing process with their organizational management, policies or initiatives. Groups are constantly re-inventing themselves to stay current with trends, technologies and business practices. Also, re-visiting the club or organization will give you an opportunity to meet and connect with new members whom you did not meet in the past.