Every small business owner understands the importance of networking. It’s not only valuable for attracting new customers or clients. It’s fundamentally important to create a network of individuals and businesses that you can turn to for expertise and advice. But what many professionals within larger organizations may not realize is that networking in equally important for employees of large companies.

For both business owners and professionals, the goal of effective networking is the same: building relationships. These relationships are actually assets — valuable in both the short- and long-term. However, as any successful networker will attest, your relationships with others need to be reciprocal — they need to be mutually beneficial.

Writing for Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, Lian Parsons points out the value of relationships to those seeking leadership positions within a large organization. “Leaders typically start off using their skills and intellect to manage their work based on their expertise,” she says. “As they move up the ladder, their work becomes more complex; leaders may need insight, information, or input from others, or they may need to improve their team management skills.

“This is where business relationships are helpful. Having a trusted network with which to share ideas and ask questions can help develop leadership abilities for better outcomes.”

Parsons draws on insights taught at Harvard’s Professional and Executive Development program for advice on building business relationships, including identification of four types of business relationships.

“Team and Stakeholder Relationships.” Very few people within an organization work alone. They are almost always part of some variety of team. Consequently, being a “team player” is crucial. Working toward the success of the team rather than personal success is also (a bit paradoxically) the best way to achieve personal success. What does it take to be a good team player? Parsons makes that clear: “Strong communication, clear expectations, and effective collaboration are all ways to harness that collective power together.”

“Ecosystem Relationships.” Although you probably do not work as closely or as often with those in the larger “ecosystem,” the suppliers, consultants and others who contribute toward providing your company’s service or creating its products are important. Building relationships with these people will pay long-term dividends.

“Industry Relationships.” These may involve building personal relationships but are more likely to be built on more distant contact. Following news from innovators within your industry, for example, provides valuable and timely information that might give you and your company a competitive edge.

“Client Relationships.” In this case, “giving” is more to be expected than “getting.” Delivering a high-quality product or service is the best way to build a good relationship with a client. More personal relationships may follow from there. One thing you can “get” from this relationship is information — insights about what the client truly values can help you deliver a superior product or service.

With the types of business relationships detailed, what tips can be found at Harvard for building relationships? There are many, and they need not necessarily be followed in this order.

“Maintain Important Contacts.” Friendships occur naturally in the workplace. But building business relationships is more than staying in touch with people you personally like. As you progress through your career, make a point of staying in friendly contact with people who have moved on — and with people at a company after you leave.

“Build Trust.” Building trust in a business relationship is no different than building trust in a personal or even romantic relationship. Trust builds when you are honest and reliable. Clearly communicate what you are thinking and carry through on commitments.

“Ask For Constructive Feedback.” This may feel like asking for criticism but most people do not view it that way. Asking for constructive feedback is an indication that you take your role seriously, are looking to grow and value the other person’s perspective.

“Utilize Social Media.” Keeping in touch with people has never been easier, thanks to social media. Used properly, platforms such as LinkedIn can help you keep in touch with former colleagues, gather information from industry leaders and make new online relationships.

“Be A Resource.” Freely offering information is one of the best ways to build new relationships. People naturally do not want to only take, though, so a fortunate effect of giving (information, connections, referrals) is that people want to reciprocate.

Building better business relationships is beneficial for anyone in business — small business owners, professionals, employees of large organizations and leaders of any group or business. The time to begin cultivating better business relationships is now.