[avinium]

It's not that "networking" as a concept is useless - building solid relationships helps you spread the word when you need talent, capital and opportunities, or anything really.

I think the point is that "shallow networking" is useless. Simply because I have your business card (or we're connected on LinkedIn), does not mean that I am in your "network", or vice versa.

I think I have quite an extensive "network" (people with whom I meet regularly and who are willing to help with introductions/events/etc).

That has taken a number of years to grow, and most of those relationships started because I helped them out with something, with no expectation of return. In other words, I actually was in a position to help, and I actually delivered.

There's a lot of compounding/snowballing too - every person you help usually introduces you to two or three others over the course of the relationship. It's not even a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" - I'm genuinely interested in helping out anyone I can.