Don't Waste Time on Networking Events

Yep, the queen of networking herself has said it.

Networking events are a waste of time.

And now you might be wondering, “Janine, how on earth am I meant to build my million-dollar network if I don’t put myself out there, meet new people, and attend these kinds of events?”

I still want you to put yourself out there… it just doesn’t involve elevator pitches and name tags.

The main issue I have with networking events is that they push quantity over quality. The idea is to walk away with as many business cards as possible, but do you even remember anyone’s names? What their interests or hobbies were? If their business ethic actually aligns with how you like to do business?

I even remember hearing the most absurd story while at one of these networking events. During this event, a woman approached me, and after talking, she mentioned that for her to attend this event she had to take 10 business cards back to her boss tomorrow. It was like they were turning connection, something so innately human, into just another measurable KPI. It’s way too transactional for my liking.

And you know what? Transactional connections like that, it’s too easy. You know those bowls that people put their business cards in to win a free door prize??Put your hand in there and grab 10 cards. Job done! Without even actually connecting with another person. It’s just bizarre!

This is why I encourage you to focus instead on creating a tight-knit social circle that may not even have more than 4-people in it.

Why is focusing on a small network great?

One of the main advantages of having a small network is that it frees up more time and energy to invest in meaningful relationships. When we have a massive network of connections, we may feel obligated to attend every event, meeting or social gathering to maintain those connections. However, this can quickly become time-consuming and draining, something you may have heard me refer to as stretch fatigue. By having a small network of people, we can focus on building deeper, more authentic relationships with those who matter the most.

Building a small network also enables us to be more intentional in our relationships. When we have a vast network of connections, it can be challenging to maintain meaningful connections with each person. However, when we focus on building a small, but powerful inner circle, we can invest more time and energy into cultivating those relationships, and as a result, create a more significant impact in the world.

Finally, having a small network helps us to become more authentic and true to ourselves. When we have a massive network of connections, we may feel the need to present ourselves in a certain way to fit in or to be accepted. However, when we build a small, but powerful inner circle, we can be more authentic and true to ourselves, as we know that we are among like-minded individuals who accept and embrace us for who we are.

But having a small network means you need to be much more conscious in the way you connect, so here are 3 of my quick tips for conscious connection so that you build a network that is based on quality, not quantity.

1. It starts with 4 people. To create a network that is really going to help you grow you need at least four key people (not including family or significant others) that fill the following four roles.?A Teacher, the person who is stretching your thinking so you know more and build your competitive advantage. A Promoter, the person who encourages you and pushes you toward your goals. Your Pit Crew, the person who is going to be there through thick and thin and keep you grounded and in the moment. A Butt Kicker, to hold you accountable and keep you focused on the very thing you need to do today to move forward into tomorrow. If you don’t have these 4 people in your network, this is where you need to start.
2. Thank you for.?Want to reach out to someone after an event, or even after reading a book or consuming another piece of media by them? The words “Thank you for,” are literally a game changer. Think about why you admire this person. What impact have they had on your life? Share this with them in the form of a “Thank you for…” message and I can guarantee this genuine connection is going to make more impact than the normal slew of messages that might land in their inbox.
3. Look for opportunities to be the little fish in the big pond.?Just like jobs, homes, and clothes, eventually we outgrow our network and while that might leave many of us feeling lost, it provides the opportunity for us to be the small fish again. Whether you take this as an opportunity to invest in group mentorship or simply start showing up in places where you would like to be more often, look for those opportunities to be pushed, the people you meet in that room could likely be key players in the next stage of your growth.

So fellow introverts you can rest assured that keeping a close-knit circle isn’t hindering your business growth or opportunities. It’s time to audit your network, see where the gaps are for connection, and start consciously connecting with the people you want to see in your life.

If you want to know more - check out my book, It's Who You Know - how a network of 12 key people can fast-track your success.

Janine x

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