Business networking – remember that?
In fact, I could say: Meeting people – remember that? I’m actually unsure I’ve seen anyone other than my family and the ladies down the Co-Op since Christmas.
Anyway, I digress. I miss networking. I miss the morning coffees, meeting up with familiar faces in business, and new people too. I miss more, my own business networking events, which take place in a pub – it’s amazing how much easier it is to build business relationships over a drink or four.
One of the things I’ve always found amazing is the amount of people that say that networking doesn’t work. Which, if you go networking with the sole purpose of getting business, it probably doesn’t.
The one thing I really miss is just having the ability to discuss challenges with a wide range of people and the community spirit of helping each other in business.
I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn and even though it is a much better way of getting leads and business than traditional networking, there’s something great about meeting up with people in person.
The emergence of online networking has also exploded and will be something I think will stick around forever now and it’s a great way to network without moving an inch. However, there’s only so many awkward pauses or ten people talking all at once I need in two hours.
Roll on handshakes, hugs, group chats, old friends, new friends, coffee, tea, beer, wine, a Babycham for all I care, I just hope we don’t have to wait too much longer.
Late spring perhaps? Here’s hoping!
