Four steps are essential for effective network building and networking: Learning – Investing – Nurturing – Keeping (LINK)

Learning focus on the individual partners in a network, on their demands on a network and their networking style.

Investing is the stage where the persons involved in the network invest time, work or other resources.

Nurturing entails offering support and build up a systematic and regular approach of networking.

Keeping involves learning and listening and wants the network to become persistent.