The Power of Connecting vs. Networking
Most people probably think of networking and connecting as being interchangeable, but there is a profound difference. To put it bluntly, networking will yield you a drawer full of business cards and connecting will yield you some meaningful relationships. That said, you can understand why I wince when referred to as the queen of networking.
At a conference years ago we were challenged to see who could gather the most business cards. It was all about meeting as many people as possible in a specified period of time. I found the activity quite offensive, and knew immediately if that was the secret to achieving success, I was not going to amount to much in life. That exercise might be a bit extreme, but I’m sure most of us have been to events where we have received a pocketful of cards, and can’t recall who gave them to us.
There are multiple opportunities to attend networking events. It is inevitable you’ll encounter folks who are schmoozing and trying to sell themselves to as many people as possible. Often the attack is cold and impersonal. It’s all about them and their business, […]