Networking networking networking….ahhhh!

Posted on | March 10, 2010

If you ever want to amuse/sadden yourself, do a search for networking opportunities in Edinburgh. It’s unbelievable. Really.

The last year or so has seen an absolute glut of networking groups get formed. Some are good, some are bad. Some are somewhere in-between. I’m personally not a fan of this practice. It is starting to feel like anyone who has a business that isn’t working out right just decides to start up a networking group. And then there are the new national ones that seem to open a new chapter every week. I was at a meeting once where at least 25% of the people in attendance were from networking groups.

Don’t get me wrong – networking is hugely important to my business. But I’m also very selective in what I do. Every year I evaluate what networking I’m going to focus on. i look at a few simple things:

- Is it in line with the business that I’m going after? Are the people in the room going to be the right type of people that can introduce me to my targets. It helps if you know what type of business you are really going after, but that’s another conversation.

- Is it appropriately focussed? I want any networking I do to let me be laser-focussed with what I’m trying to build.

- Is it worth the time/money? There are simply too many networking opportunities around. I focus on three each year, and leave the rest alone. I have to do this, because I can’t spend every week spending money and time on the vague hope of it turning into a useful event.

Networking has been one of the key founding blocks of my business. It really has. But, my god, be selective.

-j

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