old-fashioned networking

[eternomi]

Blogs are a great way to meet like-minded people, but I am curious to know what kinds of old-fashioned, face-to-face type of networking activities Steve takes part in aside from Toastmasters?

[Lola]

I'm not Steve

I live in an area of about 70,000 population. Our chamber of commerce has an After Five meet up on Tuesdays that can be pretty productive for networking. Various businesses host, usually wine and hors d'oeuvres are served. Service organizations (Rotary, Lions, etc) are pretty useful as well.

[eternomi]

Lola,

Thank you for your input.

Sometimes I miss being in college. Social networking was much easier and plentiful there. Maybe I should go back...

[Adrienne]

Everywhere.. No formal place. Here is a short list
Fire station (I run as a volunteer)
Hiking groups
White water rafting (amazing how well you bond when go over small waterfalls )
Vegan potlucks
Reading/writing groups
Its amazing the people I meet even when I am just out taking a walk.

Basically I find things I like to do, then find people who like to do similar things and we do them together.

Now, I just need to find some people around here who want to jump out of a plane with me or paraglide, or other fun out doors thing.

Adrienne

[Susie]

Originally Posted by Adrienne

Everywhere.. No formal place. Here is a short list
Fire station (I run as a volunteer)
Hiking groups
White water rafting (amazing how well you bond when go over small waterfalls )
Vegan potlucks
Reading/writing groups
Its amazing the people I meet even when I am just out taking a walk.

Basically I find things I like to do, then find people who like to do similar things and we do them together.

Now, I just need to find some people around here who want to jump out of a plane with me or paraglide, or other fun out doors thing.

Adrienne

Oh too bad I don't live near you, I'd love to start paragliding...of course I can do it on my own, but...hm...but no jumping from the airplane for me.

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by Susie

Oh too bad I don't live near you, I'd love to start paragliding...of course I can do it on my own, but...hm...but no jumping from the airplane for me.

Lol yeah I am quite the adrenaline junkie. I am dying to take up paragliding.. and windsurfing. I am getting to the point of just doing it on my own as well. Who knows, i will probably met some people out on the wind! And I would love to find people who hike every weekend. Too bad we don’t live closer to each other. I am told I specialize in giving parents heart attacks

I think the key to networking is finding things you like to do, and finding people to do it with who also like to do it.

Adrienne

[AndrewO]

Networking is a state of mind. It is something done consciously and after years of conditioning, subconsciously. It's about speaking of your passion; whether positioning your company, product, or idea. From my perspective, it's not the forum, it's what is behind it. Sure, some are more adept to talking with anyone who will listen than others, but the process is the same. It becomes, then, a matter of finding oneself in a position to talk with a receptive audience. Any forum that puts you there is a networking opportunity.