Business Networking

You know your business inside out and are confident and capable enough to take that leap into the world of starting your own business. What you do not know so well is the business world and all that it entails. You seek wise counsel and sometimes receive it; though more frequently you will encounter or find a plethora of not so wise counsel - the army of the "you don't want that you want this" experts. Try to find a new start up who is entirely satisfied with their web designer and website and you will begin to understand where I am coming from. Slightly off piste; however, we all know how absolutely vital networking is to building a successful business - don't we?

I have been successful in several sectors/industries at various levels of leadership and management and networking has undoubtedly been key to both personal and professional progress. My experience has been (that) informal social networks have provided many leads and much needed peer support. Whether this networking took the form of sporting activities, social clubs/groups or simply a regular drink at a favoured 'watering hole', the net result has always been the same; company, advice, support and guidance. I would not like to guess how much of it was good quality and sound, though I know a lot of it was and it was all, more or less, well intended and largely motiveless. Not to mention, frequently to my benefit. Thus I have been positively disposed to the consensus of opinion I have encountered since starting up a business that networking is an essential element of making headway in business.

Well, some months on and I have a few observations regarding the formal business network scene I have encountered. The social aspect is as varied as the social mix of groupmembers who are generally drawn together by less natural motives than simply to seek the company of similar types. One interesting and noticeable consequence of this is the prevalence of stilted, almost forced conversation and interaction. The 'fiscal focus' (for want of a better phrase) is another interesting aspect in so far as the effect this has on the mechanics of a network group. In business money is God and expenditure rightly demands return on investment. This inevitably leads to individual members constantly, or at least regularly, monitoring and evaluating the value of business they have apparently gained by being active members; measured against the cost of membership fees. The formal administration and management of the groups are driven by the fact the network is usually a business in its own right and therefore in turn must generate income and profit - hence members come under scrutiny and, well we know the rest. Usually we don't care either, because 'you have to put in to get out'. After all that's only fair - isn't it?

Well, I am becoming increasingly unsure about organised business networking. I still socialise actively with people I am like and whom I like. I still enjoy their company, receive their unquestioning support and unmotivated advice. It is still as variable as it ever was - and you know what? It is as good and sound and beneficial to me as it ever was. So, I'm off to play (read hack) a round of golf with a bunch of mates in different jobs and we'll finish the day with a few pints in a favourite pub talking to more mates who have other jobs. And you know what? I bet I will get more leads than I have over the last three weeks at all the network meetings I attended. Mmmm. I wonder. Who benefits most from organised business networking? Surely not the franchises or network organisations themselves?