Connecting and Networking Took on a Different Face in 2020

Connecting and Networking Took on a Different Face in 2020

COV19 brought many changes into our lives in 2020 and as we start off 2021. One of the most pronounced ones, was the feeling of being isolated, particularly with indoor activities closed in many places, or at least being done under protocols of caution. However, as the year went by, and I found myself adapting to the situation that was and still for all intents and purposes is, I found that there were some items for which I had some sense of gratitude, particularly when it came to connecting with others. Perhaps you had similar experiences.

One such experience involved my regular networking with other business professionals each week for “breakfast” on Wednesday mornings. I have been a member of Business Network International’s Business Exchange chapter for 9 years. Business Network International (or BNI for short), has been the gold standard for in-person business networking since 1985. However, BNI like other organizations found itself in the need to modify its model in 2020. Very early in the year, BNI, given its international make-up, had to find a way for its Asian chapters to meet. Soon after that its European chapters faced the same dilemma. And, of course by March, their chapters in the United States faced the same issue. However, as opposed to closing its doors, BNI thrived. It developed an online Zoom platform for each of its chapters around the world. It provided those chapters the script and tools of how to conduct their meetings virtually. It expanded its education offerings. In November 2020, it made its annual convention available virtually for the first time, and will allow for the offering of that convention to be available for one year for all members who signed up. Most of all, it helped to keep the members of its chapter connected to be able to both “meet” with each other, and continue to exchange business lead and referrals.

One did not need a BNI model to do expanded networking virtually. A number of “grass root” networking meetings sprung up. One such one I know of was started by a legal recruiter that I know from Westfield, New Jersey. With the help of an Administrative Assistant, she hosted 3 times a week meetings, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the early evening on 3 separate days of the week. She invited not only her New Jersey business connections to those meetings, but ones from out of state. Soon the attendees were inviting other business and family connections they knew to the sessions. By November, a milestone was hit when the group met for the 100th time in 2020. From that group, I have made a number of out of state connections I would have never had before. While we are not always able to exchange business leads, we have resources to tap into for others we meet, when they need them.

However, it was not only in terms of entrepreneurial business efforts, that networking via virtual means helped to keep people connected in my world. The Job Search Support groups in my home state of New Jersey, and the surrounding area of New York City and Philadelphia all adapted to virtual technology. In the past attendees would have to drive to such meetings, if there was a featured speaker they wanted to hear. Not anymore. They just had to sign onto their computer, and they were able to access different meetings on different days, and be educated on various job search strategy topics. I myself took to doing a highly successful bi-weekly education session via PowerPoint sessions that was both well received, but gratifying for me to share personally with others. Additionally, my wife also went to the virtual mode to continue her English as a Second Language sessions with her students from the local library in 2020.

Do I miss the in-person sessions and meetings? Yes I do. Will I be a part of them again, or will I meet someone for a coffee or lunch in person again when it is deemed safe to do so, (without major restrictions)? Yes, I certainly expect to do so. However, now there are other options in my arsenal. If I don’t want to drive a long way to a session, I can do so. (I truly believe that in-person sessions will be encouraged to have some sort of virtual option as part of them as we go forward). In bad weather, events don’t necessarily have to be cancelled, but can be switched to the virtual platform. And, when one says from now on, “Tap Into Your Network,” that does not only have to mean people in your own Town, State or local jurisdiction. It can mean someone completely in a different part of the world or country from you.

So, yes, we did have to adapt too many new or different ways of doing things in 2020. However, some of them may be here to stay and very well will be part of our lives for a long time to come.