Hate Networking? You are not alone!

Is it because we have the stereotypical view  of BNI-style networking where we are all forced to produce business for the group and turn up for dubious breakfast at an even more dubious time?

Or is  it because we hate being sold to and that’s all we get when we go to events, desperate sales-mode people badgering us about what they can do for you?

Or maybe we just don’t like going up to complete strangers and doing that pushy bit ourselves?

It could even be that we have gone to many events and got almost nothing as a result other than a bigger waistline and a lighter wallet.

So what’s the answer?

Be choosy, have a game plan and be prepared to listen.

I am often asked which local events are worth attending. You probably won’t see this in time for the next session of Windsor Business Community, but the food is good, the timing great, people friendly and the pushy sales folk attend once and don’t come back.

Others that stand out include TWIS (third Wednesday in Slough)and J6 from Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

One-off events and exhibitions are often great places to listen and not get sold to; things like the annual Hart Brown Economic Forum in Guildford

And of course if you really don’t find the right sort of Neworking- you could always build your own.

A breakfast club, a book club, a referral club; any of these shared between a few non-competing businesses makes a great support group plus gives you full control of just who you want to spend your time with. Do I run any of those? Yes, all 3. If you want  to be invited, let me know!