Yes, just this week someone I adore their work shared with me the depth of their appreciation with and of me. I was kinda floored and it sparked something inside me I needed this weird holiday time.
For me, it started long before the appearance of social media, i guess something innate in me, perhaps spending a lot of time with my grandfather who made it a point to invest deeply in authentic connections. But social media has indeed amplified that desire in me to double down on transparency and authenticity. In a world that is dominated by highly curated, often highly faked lifestyles, authenticity feels like a true superpower.
When I moved to Las Vegas, the best suggestion I received was from a friend who lives in Los Angeles, suggesting I join a business networking association. It took some time, but three involved I had no regrets. (I had to leave my comfort zone to meet people.)
What I appreciate about the association I belong to is that it is first about the relationship. It is not about the number of referrals a member brings in. It is about the experience.
Networking introduced me to my first business partner, who quit on me and put me in an embarrassing position. It is the power of networking that when I presented the client to another agency, they stepped in and delivered. That relationship has only grown.
Yes, there are events where it is handing out business cards and dealing with the MLM people.
The mindset around networking is going without any expectations and having a good time no matter what. My line about networking is, "The toughest thing about networking is showing up."
We have taken the path of creating our organizations, and the aligned community we create is an extension of that. It is a good feeling to know that if I am stuck, there is someone I can reach out to, and there is a level of trust that can help. I am waiting for the opportunity when someone locally connects with me and asks me about Adobe Analytics, and I let them know I have someone they can connect with.
The answer to that question is that I do not value that relationship. I say that because there are people who are serial networkers. They want access to your network, act like they are your friend, and move on. The relationships I have now because of networking are not so much about digital marketing as about business in general and life.
Yes, just this week someone I adore their work shared with me the depth of their appreciation with and of me. I was kinda floored and it sparked something inside me I needed this weird holiday time.
Your genuineness comes across Jason.
i glad you were able to receive that much deserved appreciation 💛
I keep wondering what drives that awareness towards real connection. Was it the social media full of noise or was it more personal experiences?
For me, it started long before the appearance of social media, i guess something innate in me, perhaps spending a lot of time with my grandfather who made it a point to invest deeply in authentic connections. But social media has indeed amplified that desire in me to double down on transparency and authenticity. In a world that is dominated by highly curated, often highly faked lifestyles, authenticity feels like a true superpower.
When I moved to Las Vegas, the best suggestion I received was from a friend who lives in Los Angeles, suggesting I join a business networking association. It took some time, but three involved I had no regrets. (I had to leave my comfort zone to meet people.)
What I appreciate about the association I belong to is that it is first about the relationship. It is not about the number of referrals a member brings in. It is about the experience.
Networking introduced me to my first business partner, who quit on me and put me in an embarrassing position. It is the power of networking that when I presented the client to another agency, they stepped in and delivered. That relationship has only grown.
Yes, there are events where it is handing out business cards and dealing with the MLM people.
The mindset around networking is going without any expectations and having a good time no matter what. My line about networking is, "The toughest thing about networking is showing up."
We have taken the path of creating our organizations, and the aligned community we create is an extension of that. It is a good feeling to know that if I am stuck, there is someone I can reach out to, and there is a level of trust that can help. I am waiting for the opportunity when someone locally connects with me and asks me about Adobe Analytics, and I let them know I have someone they can connect with.
If the connection is only as good as the number of referrals you are sending, it is truly a relationship to value?
Really appreciate your perspective, Neil.
The answer to that question is that I do not value that relationship. I say that because there are people who are serial networkers. They want access to your network, act like they are your friend, and move on. The relationships I have now because of networking are not so much about digital marketing as about business in general and life.