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Business Networking – has it had its day?
The world of networking is changing, fact. I’ve noticed quite an evolution in terms of how we build meaningful business relationships over the last 7 years since moving up to Shropshire.
A collection of my thoughts are below:
In the olden days….
In years gone by (yes I am older than I look!), networking used to be going to a networking group, shaking hands & pressing business cards into everyone’s hands like they were going out of fashion. And yes, sadly, there are still people out there who only do that (and then grumble that a particular group isn’t very ‘good’).
Networking today….
Over that last 5 years or so (esp. since the recession) there has been much more emphasis on getting to know and ‘trusting’ business acquaintances and so the emphasis for networking has changed, many offer much more ‘support’ based meetings, mastermind sessions, 1-2-1 sessions etc.
As a result of that and the old ‘I can do it different/better’ mentality, there are now a fairly overwhelming number of groups, both here in Shropshire and nationally, to choose from.
Shropshire networking….
My take on Shropshire networking is that there are now too many groups which are a variation on a theme. I have seen a fair number struggle more recently to get good numbers and as social a county as Shropshire is, I can’t help feeling some will naturally fall by the wayside as a result (plus see my points on social media below – I think that it will play a key role in which groups survive).
Networking and Jelly….
I also think the plethora of networking in Shropshire lead partly to the fast growth of Shropshire Jelly events (and no this is not a trumpet blowing exercise just my observations) – suddenly you had the antithesis of networking available, a relaxed working environment where you still get to meet business people but you get work done – great in our time-starved economy – and you get to ask about someone’s business without being pitched to.
That’s not to say for a second I’m not in favour of networking, I absolutely am and still consider it to be one of the key ways to develop a business support network.
The social media effect…
We can’t ignore the impact of social media/online networking on how/when we network. I’ll illustrate my point – the only networking group in Shropshire fully (and successfully) utilising social media and e-marketing (imho) is Network With Style (bad luck guys, it’s women only!).
A year ago 4 or 5 of us were on Twitter, now nearly 3/4 of the 80 or so-strong group are – and because many of them keep in touch with each other in-between meetings on twitter, the buzz in the room is unlike any other group I go to by a country mile.
Due to the organisers consistently using e-newsletters, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube etc to communicate with their members, you feel a continual buzz and don’t want to miss out. Plenty of business gets done at each meeting along with a very healthy dose of support too. Other groups would do well to watch and learn; times are always a changing and you need to jump on board!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Networking nowadays, be it in Shropshire, your county or UK as a whole – do you think it could become a thing of the past one day or will it just evolve into something new?
TTFN
Jan
Hi Jan,
After trying many groups, years ago we thought we might set up an ‘anti-networking’ group which I feel is the model Jelly has assumed – obviously this happened by mind-messages as I didn’t share the idea with many people!
We have not paid a membership to networking group for about 10 yrs and will not do it on principle that the memberships are often – I say often as I am acknowledging that there locally some groups where this does not happen – lining someone’s pockets more than benefitting members.
I used to go to NWS, appreciate the PAYG model and have not stopped for any other reason than getting time to go, it is a nice group though when there are a lot of women in a room it is sometimes hard to hear above the laughing! I wonder if there’s now any objection to men going along?
The key to all business is trust and continuity if you are a decent person who produces good work, if potential clients can get recommendations and see good examples of past work they will ‘pick you’
So there it is be reasonable, business-like consistent and whatever event you are at don’t play the ‘business card desperado’. It’ll all be OK!
Carla
Thanks Carla – I didn’t realise you were the original Jelly pioneer!
I have increasingly heard people grumbling about who really benefits from a networking group, the attendees or those who run it/pocket the proceeds. Having just organised The BIG Jelly I have more sympathy with Network group leaders as I have a better appreciation to the amount of work that is involved in keep the group fresh, interesting, up to date etc.. I guess as times are hard right now those kind of questions would naturally be more prevalent – however if all the network groups weren’t in existence there would probably be even more grumbling!
I would really love NWS to do the odd ‘open day’ meeting where men could come too, would add a whole new dynamic once in a while – think I’ll suggest it to Leigh!
Hi Jan,
I promised I would and here I am, pounding the keys at some silly hour. I actually started commenting earlier on today and then got overloaded – so here I am again.
I actually think that Carla has covered most of what I wanted to say about Networking, or Notworking as I jokingly call it, tee hee.
Now I know that agreeing to most of what Carla says could alienate a lot of people, but hey I’m not a blunt as a butcher’s chopping block for nothing.
As well as the points that Carla has made there are the industry and location factors. We are a very hands-on business based in a very historically industrial town with a large blue collar workforce. I think it’s easier for service type organisations and businesses to go Jelly and Network as much of what they have to say and can do is highly portable. Whereas with our business we need to be very careful when and where we go so as not to eat into valuable production time. In addition to this, we like to respond to clients and potential customers as quickly as possible to send then Quotes and so forth and need to have the right software to hand to do this. From experience, I have found it’s simply not possible to spend nearly all the morning in a networking group being forced to speak with people whose business you would never have any interest in meanwhile ones loyal clients and potential new ones are waiting for that illusive costing. You might say, “get more staff!”. I’d say all in good time and anyway someone has to be in control.
I do enjoy going out and meeting people of course and as a relatively new girl to the area networking groups and jellies have had their place for me, but as a business we have taken the decision not be pay for membership. There are some fabulous up and coming groups on a PAYG basis, but alas they are right in the middle of work-time so they’re out for the foreseeable.
Over all, I think that networking groups have their place and suit some people some of time. I think a Jelly is more of a sharing place, but there needs to be an element of trust as well as having the time to build those relationships.
Finally, I think there are lots of wonderful business people out there with great products and we all need encouragement to make the best of the manifold gifts we have been given.
Joanna xx
Wow Joanna, thanks for your comments, I think that may have been the longest blog comment I’ve ever had
You’ve obviously struggled with the concept of networking and I understand your reasons for not attending many events. I guess what I would say is, as I’m sure you know, Shropshire is very much about ‘who you know’ (imho) so to not go out and there and network much may be a risk for you, as busy as you are now, what happens if your business goes quiet and you’ve not had time to develop more local relationships? As long as your (online & offline) marketing strategy overall has covered developing new and existing business relationships using alternative channels then you can rest easy.
I personally take a long-term view when I meet businesses with which I don’t see any initial synergy – even if they don’t want my services & their business doesn’t really interest me, I always wonder who they know and conversely who I know that may be of interest to them.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts
Blunt I like!
Great piece Jan! (not because I’m biased at all
but because I think you have summed up so well how times have changed in terms of growing and building businesses. In my opinion it is all about developing and building relationships whether that be through networking, via social media or some other form of contact. The local Jelly groups would not be the success they are today without your forward thinking and action and certainly have opened up a whole new world for lonely home workers and taken the county by storm via twitter! Thank you so much for your kind words regarding Network with Style which really reflect what the 3 of us Rosie, Kelly & myself (for benefit of those who aren’t familiar) set out to achieve when we first formed the group over 3yrs ago. We’ve been blown away by the growth and dedicated following that the group has, not to mention the numbers that the monthly meetings attract. We were conscious that weeks pass by between meetings along with opportunities that we knew our members would benefit from and so gradually introduced the various forms of social media to continue connecting people between meetings and sharing news and relevant items of interest. Many followers & fans will post a message in advance of a meeting and get reponses from friends as well as new faces which definately adds to the buzz in the room and just shows the level of support so many are willing to readily give. It’s thanks to social media that this has been possible as being not for profit has financial limits but not when all these fabulous tools are there to utilise for FREE! We are all so thrilled at how things have evolved and that so many successful collaborations have formed as a direct result of the group along with great friendships and of course lots of business!
Thanks for your comments Leigh – all 3 of you should pat yourselves on the back, what you’ve created and maintain is invaluable to those who attend, it’s generally the highlight for most attendees in their calendar!