A New Vibe in Networking

Relationships.

They still are the everything in business, and life. No matter where you go, there people are. And we don't do anything dynamic and amazing, long term, without the support of others.

It's true of the best networking. We already know, or should by now, that mass dishing out or collecting of random business cards in any room, from people who remain strangers during and after you leave, is pointless. In fact, it can only stand to hurt your brand, your reputation, and even the reputation of the industry you are representing.

Having valuable conversations, meaningful dialogues, with however many humans you can wins. You win because no matter who does business with whom, you leave each other better than you found each other. You feel good when you have a meaningful dialogue, and you connect with someone who moves from stranger status to at least acquaintance status... or if you are me, we are then friends officially.

Leaving every soul you meet better than you find them... that is good business. Good networking. Because, it's what we were born to do. And that is why it feels so good. That is why when you honestly go about all relationships in this way, in business and in life, you win in every area. And so does everyone you meet.

So I am thinking about the kind of networking vibes and tribes that work today. It's intergenerational. It's truly collaborative. It may not mean everyone rattling off poor to brilliant elevator pitches, every time. It may or may not mean you attend their every function. It may just mean that some events and organisations are so good at valuing you, your time, and making events AMAZINGLY FUN, that you won't want to miss out.

Sheli G CEO of Women Ignite International

relationships first. business second.