It’s tradition that every New Year’s Eve we make our resolutions for the upcoming year.

It’s about the middle of the year now, but I’m sure many of you are still trying to catch up with your cash-flow projections you have established for your businesses.

Well, have you ever thought you might need to improve on your networking skills? Here are some tips on doing just that.

•Follow up with people you meet at mixers and trade shows.

Schedule time on your calendar for the day after an event that you have attended to follow-up on those you’ve just met.

•Any follow-up is better than no follow-up. If you have illegible handwriting, send an e-mail or make a phone call. Doing something gets you better results than doing nothing.

•Attend at least one networking presentation or training workshop once every other month.

This will help you become better and more comfortable in communicating effectively with others.

•Learn something new every month. Read a business book, explore an on-line course, listen to a podcast while you are working out, or read a trade magazine that is outside of your industry.

•Write down your goals and check in on them weekly.

•Take your top vendor or supplier to lunch quarterly. Find out what you can do to help them meet their goals. If you consider their goals, they will consider yours.

•When someone asks you what you do, give a brief example (about 30 to 60 seconds) about how you helped a customer solve a problem. They’ll remember that more than your daily job tasks.

•If you haven’t already, join a close-contact group (only one member per profession).

•Have a list of specific business people you want to meet. This will help you target your networking goals.

•Thank the people that refer business to your company.

•Look on every gathering as an opportunity to network, including little-league games and book club meetings.

•Refer business to other companies. They’ll be glad you did, and may even reciprocate the favor.

Janice Malone, a Mobile-based marketing consultant and speaker, is the executive director of BNI Southern Alabama/Northwest Florida Region.

For more information, contact Malone at jmalone@bni.com or 1-800-781-9599.