Never Eat Alone

Over the last week or so, I’ve had a chance to think a lot about networking, attend an incredibly productive in-person event hosted by Alignable, and contemplate non-traditional networking and relationship building. I was struck by Paul Reilly’s observation that the people we want to meet don’t attend networking events. This was further reinforced by Keith Ferrazzi’s thoughts on the superiority of relationship building over networking. You can also hear Ferrazzi’s thoughts on going forward to work after the pandemic on Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People.

We’re all trying to build networks that are both deep and wide. The deep part is the relationships that bloom as we get to know our fellow BNI members, referral partners, and others whose businesses we’re helping to grow. We want to embody the giver’s gain philosophy, and we want to do so in a way that provides the value our colleagues seek. That means we’ve got to ask good questions and get to know our friends’ businesses in a way that makes us productive ambassadors for their brand. We can do that in all sorts of ways, like meeting for a purposeful meal.

I’m excited about opportunities that are coming up through BNI and Alignable, and I’m also in the early stages of brainstorming a small event that would involve a Cajun chef, rent-a-kitchen, and a small group of people who want to do some non-traditional networking. If this concept sounds interesting, please reach out with your ideas and referrals!

Are you a member of a country club? Does your involvement lead to business opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have found? Are there good ones to join in the San Gabriel Valley?