Are Business Networking Groups a Waste of Time?

So earlier this week over a large cup of coffee I sat down with two very successful businessmen and we were chatting about various subjects. This wasn't a business meeting so phones were out? and messages were pinging left right and centre.?

Suddenly out the blue business man one after looking at an alert from Linked In said? “they are f****** persistent” blooming network group driving me mad”.?

We all laughed , However we then actually got onto the subject of discussing networking groups. I asked them both if they have ever gotten anything out of attending any and their responses actually triggered me into writing this article and sharing it with you.?

One said “ I have never bothered going to either local or regional as the industry I am in means everyone could use my services but I would not have one bit of interest in anyone else's service so it would be a one way street and I doubt that would go down well. Also I am always flat out at that time of day and as Charles Darwin once said."

The other businessman said “In my experience they are not worth it,? I've tried three separate groups in various locations. They were all a waste of time and all of them were very cliquey with leads in envelopes getting passed around the table to make it look good”.

Personally I have been to around a dozen over the years in different locations representing various businesses and to be honest with you despite? some promises on the day I have never done any business on the back of one. I have made a handful of acquaintances and a couple of friends over the years through them but that's about it.

So while networking groups can offer value, here are some key reasons why many business owners may find them ineffective:

Lack of ROI ??

Despite paying membership fees, the leads generated often don’t justify the cost. Instead of gaining quality business contacts, many end up with irrelevant connections or no meaningful business growth.

Same Faces, Limited Reach ??

These groups tend to include the same local professionals, meaning limited diversity in business connections. Over time, they can feel more like a social club than a valuable network for business growth.

Time Consuming ?

Attending regular meetings, often at inconvenient hours, can take time away from more critical business tasks. For busy entrepreneurs, this may not be the best use of resources, especially if tangible outcomes are limited.

Pressure to Refer ??

Many networking groups create an unspoken (or spoken) expectation to refer business to each other, even when it’s not a good fit. This can feel forced and lead to insincere referrals, damaging your credibility.

Outdated Methods ??

In the age of digital marketing and social media, many local networking groups are stuck in the past. They don’t always embrace modern strategies to grow your business online, which can often provide better results.

While some thrive in these groups, it’s essential to weigh the real value before committing.

Your time and money might be better spent elsewhere!

Thank you for taking the time to read this article?. It will be interesting to read your thoughts on this and I look forward to replying to any comments.

#BusinessGrowth #Networking #TimeIsMoney #Entrepreneurship