Old Fashioned Networking??

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

3 Comments

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• Taraq Hok-ahin | Nov 30, 2009 06:54 AM

  I think it's very true that the grand social network sites like Facebook are reaching it's peak. Especially when using it for building business relationships.
  
  E-factor has really found the niche in organizing "offline" networking events. Also you have done a great job in connecting the offline with the online by allowing members to keep a profile online with the ability to update their business status.
  
  If Facebook is McDonald's, Networking is the Big Mac. Who wants a Big Mac when they can find a Filet Mignon in E-Factor.
  
  

• Bill Evans | Dec 1, 2009 11:29 AM

  Interesting article in the November 21- 27 edition of The Economist. Titled: Class War. Which highlights the main players in personal networks, XING, LinkedIn and Viadeo. I certainly prefer XING but being on LinkedIn is a must. E factor is almost many and has the potential to be broadly effective. We all have to realize that each network has its value and strong points related to what we wish to accomplish by joining. Networking requires work and attention and many join these groups expecting by being there to gain meaningful contacts. Of course many people have limited interests and networking is an effort. I think the best newtorking is to reach out to people with diffrerent interest than myself and to learn. But to many these newtorking services are just address books. Bill

• Bill Evans | Dec 1, 2009 03:02 PM

  To all, my apologies for the poor grammar and spelling. Interesting article in the November 21- 27 edition of The Economist. Titled: Class War. Which highlights the main players in personal networks, XING, LinkedIn and Viadeo. I certainly prefer XING but being on LinkedIn is a must. E factor is amongst many and has the potential to be broadly effective. We all have to realize that each network has it's value and strong points relative to what we wish to accomplish by joining. Networking requires work and attention and many join these groups expecting that by just being there is to gain meaningful contacts. Of course many people have limited interests and networking is an effort. I think the best networking is to reach out to people with different interests than myself and to learn. But to many these networking services are just address books. Bill

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