One really simple way to get ourselves out and about and doing some useful networking is simply to do lunch. I mention this because recently I’ve had two lunches where I met business friends for a natter and with no set agenda.
Because we were relaxed we had friendly chats. And…and this is the key point here…in both cases I came away with new options for networking and for pursuing marketing activities.
It reminded me that often we don’t really know what our friends are doing and what other skills they have until we talk to them.
So, here’s my 4-step plan to get us started:
1. Pick a friend who is in similar situation to yourself, e.g. running their own business.
2. Invite them out to lunch, or to meet up for tea and cake.
3. Have a relaxed friendly chat and mention your frustrations.
4. Ask if they know of any solutions, or options for actions?
The key thing is that we need to be comfortable enough to reveal our frustrations. Doing this is a great way to move the conversation from gentle ‘pastiming’ into something more purposeful and ‘activity’ related.
Pastiming is a word from TA and it means a safe level of conversation where we risk little and get little in return. Activity, in a TA context, is when we move beyond platitudes and start to do some work. We risk more, by perhaps revealing concerns, but we get more in return.
So, if you’re wrestling with a problem, want to increase your networking activities, or are chewing the end of your pencil over an issue, then my suggestion is to stop. And to start doing lunch.
You never know how useful it might be and what new possibilities will open up for you.
Where could lunch take you?
This week it’s taking me out to dinner…for more networking with interesting people.
