If you think that is hogwash then – Congratulations!

 

[I would love to hear your stories.]

 

***

 

If you are still reading this Thought Post then you know some business folks who are struggling with networking.

 

Here is the advice I gave at a recent Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce networking event:

1. If you are uncomfortable networking, that's contagious. If you enjoy networking, that's contagious….so
2. If you are uncomfortable networking, either:
   • Don’t do any more business networking [business networking is not a necessary evil…it is not an interpersonal exercise where misery enjoys company] or
   • Figure out how to get comfortable before you do any more business networking [a little creative thought can go a long, long way toward making business networking an enjoyable experience]

In addition to those ‘basic rules’…

3. If you haven’t given much thought to whether or not you are comfortable with business networking then don’t do business networking until you are prepared to check your networking pulse. Again, business networking is not a necessary evil…if you view it that way then what you see is what you’ll get.
4. If you have no networking goals then don’t do business networking until you are prepared to set some business networking goals.

Whatever you do – do not settle with going through the business-networking motions.

 

Just going through the business-networking motions will be unsatisfying for you and for the all the business folks you encounter while you are doing it.

 

***
The Good News: regardless of how you feel today, you can learn to get comfortable with and maybe even enjoy business networking [if that is something you want to learn].
***

 

What is Networking? I have written several articles on the topic…here’s a link.

 

In summary, Networking is a way to meet other business people. Networking is a way to accomplish ‘personal branding’. And, from time to time Networking may become the step in a buying process connecting with a step in a selling process [and, of course, vice-versa].