I am a networker. I have spoken about effective Networking across the country. I have created a lot of content about networking.
Social isolating is challenging for me.
I have always said that networking is not about going to an event but about having an attitude of engagement. Connecting with people all the time.
I think there will be changes in consumer behavior after this crisis. I see signs of it already.
When I go on my daily social distancing walk in a park near my house people I pass or meet now say hello or wave. In the past they would look down at the sidewalk or path. Peaceful in their own cocoon.
Zoom has become a ubiquitous part of human interaction in just a few weeks.
It is a powerful way to network and stay in touch.
I was on a Zoom call with Canadians in OC the other day creating community but also staying in front of peeps. I am one of the Founders of the Group. Canadians in OC might seem like a social group and it is. But 13% of California’s trade is with Canada so there is a commerce piece to it. It is also estimated that approximately 1 in 40 Californians have Canadian routes.
I will be on a Zoom call tonight with Laguna Niguel Connectors. It originally started as a transition group but has evolved into a business networking Group. It has over 4500 members. I am also one of the Founders.
One way for you to network in the Newer New Normal is to start your own group. Seems hard you say. Canadians in OC was started by a conversation between two people. Laguna Niguel Connectors by a conversation between four people whose only commonality was living in Laguna Niguel. Once the flame is lit the group grows organically if it composed of likeminded people.
This is also a great time to reach out to all of your clients new and old and to prospects to just check in on how they are doing? How is their business going? How are they coping? You will find that in these times their responses often share more of how their personal life is going. It is a great way to reconnect and stay top of mind with folks and build more meaningful relationships.
You know the daily stream that you get on LinkedIn notifications? Well know this is the time to engage with those notifications. Great time to congrats folks on talking a new position. Congratulate those that have birthdays. Great way to reconnect and also to engage and build new networking relationships.
A great way to network today in this socially isolated world is to talk live. Yes call people. You will find that it is easier to get people to take a call.
It is all about reaching out and touching somebody as the old ATT ad used to say.
It is ironic that in a world that is ravaged and upside down every contact today seems to be a bit closer and more personal, often sincere and more important in many ways. That is why you need to network.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks