Many of you know that I'm a card carrying introvert on the MBTI scale (INFP), and as such, business networking isn't high on my lists of things I love to do.  Or, should I say, networking as it's traditionally carried out -- big room, lots of people, mixing and mingling over drinks and inane cocktail party-like conversations -- is not my favorite activity.  I'd rather have a tooth pulled, I think, than be subjected to this type of networking activity.  However, if you put me 1:1 with someone, or even with a small group of people around a table, I have a good time and make great contacts.

However, organizations around the world seem to believe that the "big group" networking is most effective, so they Test sponsor many of these events during the course of a year. Sometimes you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals, especially as a business owner, and that can be a very scary feeling.  Consequently, I have dragged myself, sometimes kicking and screaming, to more of these events than I care to count.

I'm here to tell you that if you never choose to challenge yourself in any way, the success you'll have in growing and developing your business will be slow and stagnant, at best. What you resist most is usually what you most need to learn, and resistance around networking can be tied to lacking confidence in yourself and your abilities, or, if you're an introvert, it can tied to not knowing how to handle these types of events in a manner that's consistent with your personality style as an introvert.

What has made this process easier for me is that I go in with the attitude that I'm seeking to build relationships and find out as much as I can about the others with whom I speak, as I do love to help people out by connecting them to other people or resources that will help them accomplish what they want to accomplish.

Now, before going to a "big group" networking event, in an effort to psych myself up, I think of 3-4 powerful questions I could ask the people there to best help me get to know them and what they do and perhaps lay the foundation for an ongoing relationship. This technique is much more effective than talking about sports scores or the latest celebrity scandal, believe me!

Here are ten questions that I've used to help me begin to develop deeper relationships at a networking event:

What is the product or service your business provides?

Tell me about your ideal client and how I might recognize him/her.

What projects are you working on right now?

How did you decide to go into this business?

What do you find most challenging about (your industry) these days? I fill in the industry name in with banking, computer maintenance, financial planning--whatever is appropriate to the person with whom I'm speaking.

Tell me about your community involvement. In what other professional or civic organizations do you participate and what role do you play in the organization?

How is (some current event) impacting your industry/business right now?

What do you most enjoy about what you do?

I'd love to hear one of your client success stories

Emergency kits are extremely important to have on hand in the event of an emergency. They provide you with the tools you need without having to try to find anything in the throws of a major emergency. With emergency kits, you can just grab the bag and have whatever you need at your fingertips - providing you have those things in your kit. Let's take a look at the 10 items every emergency kit should have, whether it is in your car or your home.

1. First Aid Kit - a first aid kit has the medical supplies that you will need in the event of an emergency. Be sure that you purchase a good first aid kit that has more than just Band-Aids in it. It should have band-aids, gauze, tape, scissors, antiseptic, alcohol pads, and topical analgesic, just for starters. You can also ensure you have some splint material and a sling or two to fashion splints or slings. Be sure that if you use any items from the first aid kit that you replenish it right away.

2. Radio and batteries - a radio and batteries will provide you information if your power goes out. Leave the batteries out of the radio; just tape them to the radio so they don't get lost.

3. Flashlight and batteries - in the event of an emergency, you may need light, whether it's to change a flat tire or navigate bumpy terrain after a major emergency. Once again, don't leave the batteries in the flashlight - tape them to the handle so you can easily find them when you need to install them.

4. Candles, waterproof matches and a lighter - candles provide more than just light - they can also warm up a small space, such as the cab of a vehicle or a small room.

5. Blanket - there are plenty of blankets for sale that wrap up into a nice, tight little bundle and are specifically for emergency kits. It's a good idea to have a few on hand, in case there are extra people who require a blanket.

6. Bottled water - keeping a few bottles of water in your kit will ensure that you have something to drink if there is a catastrophe, or for other uses too; such as your car overheating and needing water to get the rest of the way home.

7. Energy bars and other non-perishable foods - keeping a few bars and some extra food that aren't perishable are a good idea as well. Be sure that you use foods that are easy to open and don't require a can opener. Energy bars are a good meal replacement if you can't get to food for a few days. You can also include a small bottle or packets of vitamin supplements.

8. Cash - for both home and cars, it's a good idea to have some emergency cash on hand. It's your kit, so go with what you feel comfortable with. One hundred dollars is suitable - remember if there's a major emergency, you may not be able to use your debit or credit cards.

9. Pencil and paper - keeping a pencil and paper in your kit is a good idea in case you need to write down important information that you hear on the radio. In a vehicle, you may need to write down information pertinent to your location, or information regarding the emergency, such as a major collision.

10. Cell phone - If you already have a cell phone, that should be fine, but you can invest in a pay-as-you-go plan if you don't. A cell phone can come in handy regardless of the type of emergency - you should always have one with you