I went to my first Networking meeting on Tuesday May 5th with my mom. This was a brand new full on experience for me. I just turned 25 years old on April 27th and I really had no idea what I was getting into when I was told I should be networking. My first thought was I am already networking I am on facebook, myspace, twitter, linkedin, and I have a blog. My first question was they made a new social network website? Too many websites to keep up with I don't think I can add anymore.
What they meant by networking was not what I was thinking in my 25 year old mind. Networking is a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest. Honestly, I still didn't understand. What I really didn't understand why a bunch a different people need to leave the office and have a "network meeting" every week.
So any who, I went with my mom since she had been to several networking meetings herself she would kind of guide me through. Also, I was a little bit more comfortable going because I was told somebody I knew was going to be there, Peggy. I got the restuarant and guess what Peggy wasn't there. I was a little disappointed about that. I like Peggy.
So the networking meeting got started and every body introduced themselves, which they stood up on and did an elevator speech. An elevator speech is a carefully planned and practiced description of the company they are representing which even a 5 year old would be able to understand in the time it would take to ride an elevator up. So that is why it is called an elevator speech. For our company my mom did the elevator speech because I like to talk, if I had it my way I would have talked the whole hour we were there.
After the elevator speeches, Sandy ( she was leading the group that day because she need to be approved I guess to get her own FNI group) she took a bucket which was full of every ones business cards and had a lady next to her pick one out. The business card that was pulled out had a "spotlight" moment I would call it. The person that was picked would be asked several questions about their business and we would have to figure out their ideal customer. It is like playing the game guess who. 
This interested me trying to figure out this person's ideal customer I love games and so I made it a game for myself.
I was very quiet which is very unusual for me to be but I was. I honestly was scared out of my mind, I have never really met these people before I didn't know what to expect at this networking meeting. I was afraid of the unknown just like every body is.
I really liked the meeting, you get to meet people that you would never met before and they get to know you and they take all your business cards to give to others. It is a neat thing to go to, I already went again this past week and I wasn't scared. Yeah for me!
I was also invited by someone I met on facebook to her network meeting and I enjoyed it also. I am going to be attending it this Tuesday morning and hopefully be part of that group also. I like meeting people but I am still having an issue leaving the office. It is really hard to sit through a meeting and not think about what I need to get done, like for example finding my desk. I really need to take a photo of my desk because no one seems to understand how messy it has become.
Until next time! Have you been B Squared lately?