Marion's Blog

During the past week, I had a lot of discussions about Networking - whilst networking actively in the meantime and it got me thinking again about the value of actually doing it.

My first discussion was with someone who had been in corporate life for some considerable time, until the company decided to reorganise. Although young-at-heart, his age puts him into a slightly older category and he told me upfront that he really dislikes "networking". As we were talking though, I felt that he didn't really dislike networking perse, but this false image that a lot of people (particularly older generation) have that networking is a new way of "begging". It is true that a lot of people consider networking to be a short cut to getting what they want. In my opinion, that will never work. It may do short-term, but in the long term they will be the ones standing on the sidelines, empty handed. Those that take networking seriously, see it more as "relationship building" which in reality is no different to what our parents, grand parents and all ages before us did. You simply have to build a trust basis with your counterparty in order to achieve anything. And even more importantly - you shouldn't necessarily start the discussion or the relationship with the idea of getting anything out of it at all. That's not what networking is.... you build a relationship because there is a chemistry, a click, a common interest or goal that you want to share...no matter where that may lead you. It is not about the result - it is about the journey. If you take this open-minded approach and simply treat it as an adventure, you bring it back to the most fundamental human interaction - that of discovery. Of simply liking a person and wanting to share. And that makes it fun, instead of something to dislike.

Often though - the result of this approach is that you will gain results. In ways you probably didn't even imagine, someone may introduce you to the best possible business partner, or find you a new client, or get you into a firm where you can play a great role.

My next discussion was with an inspiring contact in Paris, who whilst working in a corporate environment, is actively engaged with networking and sees its true potential. It is interesting to see where Social Networks, based on the premise of using technology to find like-minded people, will go from here. We have always claimed that you need to be really "Social" and meet face-to-face at some point, if you are serious about wanting to do business - that is why we hosted over 70 events this year alone. And I strongly believe that this is one of the reasons that there won't be another massive generic network like Facebook - it is simply too big and whilst a great tool to communicate with others - it won't necessarily find you people that have a common goal at heart. This is where Niche Social Networks, like E.Factor, have a different edge. We start out saying that the common interest of all our members is "Building your Business" - and so we are in principle all willing to help each other do that. That is raw power, right there. The platform is merely the tool, the facilitator however, the members are the ones controlling the destiny of their own businesses and those of others. I "preach" about this - the real power of a network, is always what the members choose to do with it. If you open your mind, and give some of what you know to others, it will be returned to you a thousand fold. Using a platform, your reach is far greater then if you stayed at home and talked to your cat... and the chances of coming across that one Eureka moment, or person thus far increased. That to me, is the power of networking and it is exciting, and fun, and a great adventure.

I hope you will all join me on that journey.

Marion