Do we need to be taught networking?
Maybe a degree in business networking already exists and if it doesn't ‘business networking gurus' across the world are trying their best to turn a simple common sense business act into, well, rocket science. I've just been emailed the 52 (yes, fifty two) point questionnaire to evaluate my networking skills. Each of the 52 questions requires you to grade yourself 1 to 5 and then rather like a Cosmopolitan ‘How good are you in bed/ become a better lover' survey you are then categorised based on your scores, from ‘weak' right the way up to ‘Master Networker', in Cosmo this would be Master Lover.
I have a problem with analysing Networking to this degree, I think it alienates people who are already sceptical or wary of networking at new groups. Faced with the (mistaken) belief that to succeed at networking you need textbook skills they stay in the office rather than have their virginity ridiculed by the networking elite. Who wants to walk into a room full of strangers when you haven't passed (or even taken) the 52 question exam and if you had it probably would have revealed you to be an impotent networker anyway.
We all need help and assistance in developing our business skills, but let's not fool ourselves that business networking is anything but an activity that is 99% common sense. Like most activities in life there are always ways to improve but if we over complicate it we risk locking out great business people who just want to meet others and hopefully develop a mutually beneficial business relationship.
About the Author
John Valentine is the founder of Bizset Networking Ltd (bizsetnetworking.com) which brings business people together online with real project and job opportunities that they can submit proposals for, this is both the glue and the catalyst for online and offline networking. Any company, any business or any person in any field can join. It is a totally inclusive site. To join the site, post jobs and bid on jobs is FREE and winning bidders pay no commission.
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