Other groups place restrictions on length of time in business, or level of responsibility in the firm when deciding on the acceptance of specific members. Still others have no restrictions at all. Restrictions that are placed on the membership of a group often help ensure that the membership is comprised of business professionals who are all looking for the same thing. In other words, they are all playing by the same rules. These restrictions can also help eliminate conflict within a group, thus allowing an easier time for relationship-building.
Groups vary considerably when it comes to the cost of involvement.
Fees for membership can range from nothing to thousands of dollars a year. The concept of networking groups is not a new one, by any means - some older groups have been around for over 50 years. Almost without a doubt, the groups that last that long, charge a fee to belong to them. This ensures that participants are not going to just breeze in, take what they can get and breeze out. That's not to say that doesn't happen, but it lowers the incidence of it.