I agree with Mari. Great question by the way. Digital connections taken to "The Next Level", Phyital enable me to know if the connection with the other person is a WIN-WIN.
What I am after are Strategic Partnerships. Who can I partner with whose "Energy" matches mine. This is where The Win-Win come in. Like minded professionals will look out for the opportunity to refer or recommend their Network.
Meeting with someone in person allows me the opportunity to share about what I do and why and who they are and cane we enhance each other's Brand.
Hi Mary Ann, I have Farmers by the way. Nice company. I work with people all over the country and world, some for 12 years now that I never met face to face, yet that delivered or received exceptional help from each other. I network with global marketing, innovation and CEO groups all over the world and while we may see each other on Skype, and certainly face to face is a value, here are a few of my thoughts:
1. Establishing a context of openness, genuine interest, relevancy and trust is what is most important and that can be done in online networking or face to face environments.
2. I get turned off as do many when people who do not know you go into sell mode. Likewise I get turned on when people open up to get beyond the boring rituals and try to make an exchange something that welcomes new thinking, shares an opinion, asks real questions...thus making that exchange memorable or valued.
3. I like when people reach out to help others versus closing a sale. I think that plays out well on social media and needs help where we see people face to face.
4. I like when values surface that people either share or respect in others.
5. I like when people answer questions rather than deflecting as we see so prominently in politics.
We are still in a major trust crisis and the answers that will move us forward in unity will not likely come from expected sources. I know this as I have been shaping those answers for decades ahead of conventional people or companies. I am tired of figure head leaders and whole body selfies who act like they are the center of everything without investing in others. When I network, I seek others that are authentic, creative, warm, open minded and capable of creating their own paths in life. Helping them find it also is rewarding but some effort is required. Lots of changes coming and soon. Hiding out is no longer an option.
Continuous learning is not an option, its a way to adapt and thrive across all generations and professions.
If face to face networking didn't work, there would not still be Chambers of Commerce and copious networking groups around or home shows and street fairs for that matter. I think that most businesses are relationship driven and can benefit from a hand shake and an honest interested conversation. You do have to make an effort to invest and connect when you are at the events though. The company I work for coordinates over 500 private corporate expos a year in five major markets, all face to face platforms and we end up having to turn exhibitors down because we don't have space. As far as a networking group? I prefer something a bit larger and less commitment like a Chamber. I don't have the time or desire to meet with the same 15 - 20 people every week, I like to mix it up when I'm available.
I have been networking for over 25 years. Love meeting new people. I ran a network group many moons ago when I worked for someone and we did doctor events. We would have meetings in Manhattan once a month. We belonged to the NY and Brooklyn Chambers of Commerce also. Got lots of business from all of them, plus made new friends. You can never have enough!!!
Business from Memphis, TN
Answered on Jan 14th, 2017
I believe the face to face is such a necessary part of business growth and networking. If you don't see who you talk to or network with, you really never know the face behind the business. You don' t have the chance to explore the human side of things...
Whether it's Wall Street or Main Street, business is always about people. Getting to know new people (however you do it) is always a good thing. When it comes to group networking, it has it's ups and downs. I've found that the best thing to keep in mind when doing ANY networking is that, "people tend to do business with others that they know, like and trust." So... whether it's an industry exclusive group - or open networking... just get in there and get to know people! Meet them over-and-over again so they can develop those core opinions about YOU! Persistence is the key but if you'll get after it and stay after it, eventually they will begin calling and/or referring to you. Good luck!!!
Oh yes, nothing better than meeting people face to face. It really increases your ability to book business.
I only generally network within my industry or related industries. I do always belong to one more general group specifically for women in business, but find I need people related to my industry or who find what I do interesting to make a more general group work for me.
I did not. And then I joined a small, independent, local networking group in September. Not only has it changed my opinion of the importance of "old school" networking, but it has accounted for 25% of our business since November. Wow.
So reach out to your local chamber. Join the elks o the masons. Go to a bni meeting. Seriously.
And if you're in the Temecula CA area, message me about Connect Temecula Valley. You won't be disappointed.
Business from Burlington, ON
Answered on Jan 27th, 2017
"Death came second" ... that's the result of a study conducted a few years back. When people were asked what they feared most is was WALKING INTO A ROOM FULL OF STRANGERS AND TALKING TO THEM! Dying was #2.
Add to this little gem the fact (and I don't mean to be harsh) but most people suck at networking. Why? Because they do go to these networking groups with the idea that they're supposed to hand out loads of business cards and tell everyone what they do. It blows as a networking strategy.
I've written and trained extensively on b2b networking and I'm including a few of my articles here to help clear up some misconceptions.
Remember, networking is a marathon ... not a sprint. Imagine if dating were conducted like most people network. That'd be funny as all heck. Come to think of it ... some people do date like that!
Oh, and stop with the elevator pitches. No one likes being pitched.
Rather think on this: WHAT PROBLEM DO YOU SOLVE?
Answer that yourself when some asks you 'what do you do?' and better yet, ask people that question and see how differently your experience is.
I think that nothing can replace meeting someone face to face, the problem is that many sales people want to peach you 2 minutes after they met you. Sometimes when I meet the people I don't even mention what I do for a living. And, usually when they ask for my info I don't handle my business card unless I determine that it is absolutely necessary.
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Answers (21-30)
I agree with Mari. Great question by the way. Digital connections taken to "The Next Level", Phyital enable me to know if the connection with the other person is a WIN-WIN.
What I am after are Strategic Partnerships. Who can I partner with whose "Energy" matches mine. This is where The Win-Win come in. Like minded professionals will look out for the opportunity to refer or recommend their Network.
Meeting with someone in person allows me the opportunity to share about what I do and why and who they are and cane we enhance each other's Brand.
Hi Mary Ann, I have Farmers by the way. Nice company. I work with people all over the country and world, some for 12 years now that I never met face to face, yet that delivered or received exceptional help from each other. I network with global marketing, innovation and CEO groups all over the world and while we may see each other on Skype, and certainly face to face is a value, here are a few of my thoughts:
1. Establishing a context of openness, genuine interest, relevancy and trust is what is most important and that can be done in online networking or face to face environments.
2. I get turned off as do many when people who do not know you go into sell mode. Likewise I get turned on when people open up to get beyond the boring rituals and try to make an exchange something that welcomes new thinking, shares an opinion, asks real questions...thus making that exchange memorable or valued.
3. I like when people reach out to help others versus closing a sale. I think that plays out well on social media and needs help where we see people face to face.
4. I like when values surface that people either share or respect in others.
5. I like when people answer questions rather than deflecting as we see so prominently in politics.
We are still in a major trust crisis and the answers that will move us forward in unity will not likely come from expected sources. I know this as I have been shaping those answers for decades ahead of conventional people or companies. I am tired of figure head leaders and whole body selfies who act like they are the center of everything without investing in others. When I network, I seek others that are authentic, creative, warm, open minded and capable of creating their own paths in life. Helping them find it also is rewarding but some effort is required. Lots of changes coming and soon. Hiding out is no longer an option.
Continuous learning is not an option, its a way to adapt and thrive across all generations and professions.
If face to face networking didn't work, there would not still be Chambers of Commerce and copious networking groups around or home shows and street fairs for that matter. I think that most businesses are relationship driven and can benefit from a hand shake and an honest interested conversation. You do have to make an effort to invest and connect when you are at the events though. The company I work for coordinates over 500 private corporate expos a year in five major markets, all face to face platforms and we end up having to turn exhibitors down because we don't have space. As far as a networking group? I prefer something a bit larger and less commitment like a Chamber. I don't have the time or desire to meet with the same 15 - 20 people every week, I like to mix it up when I'm available.
I have been networking for over 25 years. Love meeting new people. I ran a network group many moons ago when I worked for someone and we did doctor events. We would have meetings in Manhattan once a month. We belonged to the NY and Brooklyn Chambers of Commerce also. Got lots of business from all of them, plus made new friends. You can never have enough!!!
I believe the face to face is such a necessary part of business growth and networking. If you don't see who you talk to or network with, you really never know the face behind the business. You don' t have the chance to explore the human side of things...
Whether it's Wall Street or Main Street, business is always about people. Getting to know new people (however you do it) is always a good thing. When it comes to group networking, it has it's ups and downs. I've found that the best thing to keep in mind when doing ANY networking is that, "people tend to do business with others that they know, like and trust." So... whether it's an industry exclusive group - or open networking... just get in there and get to know people! Meet them over-and-over again so they can develop those core opinions about YOU! Persistence is the key but if you'll get after it and stay after it, eventually they will begin calling and/or referring to you. Good luck!!!
Oh yes, nothing better than meeting people face to face. It really increases your ability to book business.
I only generally network within my industry or related industries. I do always belong to one more general group specifically for women in business, but find I need people related to my industry or who find what I do interesting to make a more general group work for me.
I did not. And then I joined a small, independent, local networking group in September. Not only has it changed my opinion of the importance of "old school" networking, but it has accounted for 25% of our business since November. Wow.
So reach out to your local chamber. Join the elks o the masons. Go to a bni meeting. Seriously.
And if you're in the Temecula CA area, message me about Connect Temecula Valley. You won't be disappointed.
"Death came second" ... that's the result of a study conducted a few years back. When people were asked what they feared most is was WALKING INTO A ROOM FULL OF STRANGERS AND TALKING TO THEM! Dying was #2.
Add to this little gem the fact (and I don't mean to be harsh) but most people suck at networking. Why? Because they do go to these networking groups with the idea that they're supposed to hand out loads of business cards and tell everyone what they do. It blows as a networking strategy.
I've written and trained extensively on b2b networking and I'm including a few of my articles here to help clear up some misconceptions.
Remember, networking is a marathon ... not a sprint. Imagine if dating were conducted like most people network. That'd be funny as all heck. Come to think of it ... some people do date like that!
Oh, and stop with the elevator pitches. No one likes being pitched.
Rather think on this: WHAT PROBLEM DO YOU SOLVE?
Answer that yourself when some asks you 'what do you do?' and better yet, ask people that question and see how differently your experience is.
#StayFrosty
James :)
I think that nothing can replace meeting someone face to face, the problem is that many sales people want to peach you 2 minutes after they met you. Sometimes when I meet the people I don't even mention what I do for a living. And, usually when they ask for my info I don't handle my business card unless I determine that it is absolutely necessary.