Is Networking a Waste of Time?

Early in my career, I thought networking was for salespeople. I thought it was for people who just wanted to socialize. Make no mistake; there are plenty of networkers who are just looking for a good time and to make new friends. Power networkers have events all over town every night of the week. This is absolutely ridiculous and is not business networking. That is partying. You will also notice that you start running into the same people at all the networking events. This is when networking quickly turns into socializing. If you want to socialize, go to the country club.

I believe in the principle of networking and have adopted a form of networking that lets me get the real intent of it. I call it Strategic Networking. Who do you need to meet that will increase your life and business? Whatever associations or groups they belong to, join them. There will always be people there that you can help and who can help you. Most beginning corporate networkers attend formal networking events. I think these are fine to attend once or twice, but after that, you have met the regulars and all of the future events will be socializing until the occasional visitor comes along, but that is not worth the time you would be committing each week.

I have worked with several senior executives along the way who did not believe in networking, but I believe it is because they only saw the networking groups where everyone was a seller and no one was a buyer. I have found networking to be quite beneficial when it is done properly and in context. Most leaders agree this makes good sense. Guard against the pressure that will be placed on you to regularly attend events as it may not be responsible time management. Like any other investment, you must get a return or stop investing in that vehicle.