Thursday, June 25, 2009

Getting to Know Each Other

Went to one of my usual networking breakfasts this morning expecting the normal crowd of 11 - 13 folks. What a surprise to find that 5 minutes after the scheduled start we were still a group of 3. However, one has to eat breakfast anyway, right. Seems a good friend asks that question to folks about Friday's. But anyway.

We ordered and spent about an hour just talking to each other. This made me think about how little we often know of other people in groups we belong to. Perhaps it is time to do as a leader in another group I visit with recommended. Take time to set up one on one meetings over coffee, brunch, lunch, a beer, whatever, and get to know your business associates a bit better.

It is amazing the information you can learn about them and from them. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you, or not if that is your preference. The important thing is to expand your environment.

1 comment:

  1. Gordon,

    You're friend was absolutely right. There are so many forms of social media that have made it common practice to list hundreds of "friends" or business contacts and really only truly know 5 - 10 on the list well. Unfortunately most networking events and business meetings aren't any different.

    I think that people are so thirsty for real relationships -- and that's partly why people have chosen the virtual relationships in the first place.

    For the past 4 months I have been calling up those that I want to know -- either as colleagues, business associates, etc. and meeting with them one-on-one. We have lunch, coffee and by the end of the meeting, we've walked away with a true understanding of what each other does, is like and it all leads to a mutual respect and the basis of a real business relationship... and sometimes even a friendship.

    That's all we need. Is a little bit more real... and perhaps a lot less virtual.

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