Networking

While wondering shall we go to (and what to do at) yet another networking event, either being a dedicated reception or a part of a larger conference, it's not uncommon to feel it might be a waste of time. And it actually could be, if we don’t follow up and follow through adequately afterwards. Even more that investing the time to network means more things are stacking in our backlog in the meantime, and after we return 'back to work' we typically need to handle an increased load of both old and newly created opportunities which might very naturally feel overwhelming.

On the positive side, being at such events is an affirmation that we are an active part of the particular ecosystem, even if we don't meet that many new people. Oftentimes, it serves a reminder and a trigger to resurrect and act on a long-delayed opportunity with an existing connection. In this context, it's useful to network when we have something timely to share, or actually, when we feel a bit stuck and need a spin, but are not demoralized, as this is not the vibe we want to radiate.

It’s also a chance to both deliver and absorb lived experience of interaction in person, which beats any form of virtual interaction, including a live video call, as we’ve witnessed so many times during the lockdown.

Networking is also a good exercise, especially for first time early stage entrepreneurs, to overcome shyness and polish the proverbial elevator pitch based on the explicit, and even more importantly - implicit (facial expressions, hopefully sincere interest, relevant questions, etc.), feedback we got from the people we talk with.

In any case, and even more importantly if not at our peak of energy, we better aim to interact with people who seem inspired and enthusiastic, not necessarily about our venture (at first), but as a general attitude. Entrepreneurship is hard and contrarian enough to invest our time talking to know-it-all naysayers instead of people who are smiling, open-minded, and ready to find ways and help us be even more resourceful.

Another important qualification criteria for longer networking interactions, if we want to utilize our time and energy optimally, is do we feel the person is sincerely ready to both give and take, not just the latter. There are way too many networking hoppers who are there to ‘sell’ themselves or actually - squeeze 'lucky' opportunities, mostly in their favor. In that line of thinking, it's noble, and also beneficial, when we ourselves are people who are there to give (first).

A funny story to share in that regard is winning my first 'human bingo'. Being in Sopot, Poland, to represent Imagga as a European finalist of 英特尔 and 美国加州大学伯克利分校 Business Challenge 2012, I had the chance to join the popular ice-breaker competitive game where you need to compile, as quickly as possible, a complete set of different people who have something unusual as a characteristic, from a predefined list of such. The tactic I applied was instead of asking people if they have a special characteristic to 'take' from them, listing some still missing from my list, to immediately start by first 'giving' them the three things I think were most unique about me from the list - being a vegetarian (back them it was that common); has jumped with a parachute; and having a twin (sister, in my case) :). This played out quite well, with them reciprocally offering back the same and filling up my list pretty rapidly.

I'm aiming to apply the same approach in most of my interactions ever since.

What are your impressions and advices about (the value of) networking?

The Venture Contemplations is a newsletter where I share my daily reflections on topics moving me as an entrepreneur and lessons learned the hard way, on a dusty but rewarding 15+ year long journey towards making positive impact with Imagga and more recently - Kelvin Health .