Recently when starting a new chapter of BNI, one of the core members had feedback to say that “business networking was a thing of the past” and social/internet networking was where it was at.
I was flawed when I heard this, because relationships are the proven way to build a business from referrals.
This week Dr Ivan Misner (Founder of BNI and known as the Father of Networking) has publicly stated in the UK this week the following.
Too many people are now being tapped up for business by people they did not really know or trust. "It comes from people who either practice premature solicitation or receive it and are frustrated," he said. "They think hitting on people to do business is networking. And people don't like it. There is this backlash against bad networking."
Dr Misner, who is in the UK this week to mark his network's 25th anniversary, believes social media sites can be as effective in drumming up business as local chambers of commerce or rotary clubs. But he warned that the web exposes the amateur networker mercilessly: "I say absolutely do social media. It substantially builds the visibility side of your business. But everything is faster online. If you are a really bad at networking you are bad at light speed.
"There's still a lot of misunderstanding with networking. Most people think that it's walking around, handing out cards. Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting. It's about cultivating business relationships."
He is supporting a protest campaign set up on Facebook called "Facebook Users Who are Tired of Premature Solicitation".
The message is clear…. Relationships are still the way to build trust for the referrals we all need.
Happy Networking
Glenn
