I went to a networking luncheon put on today by the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, of which I'm a member. It was held at Outback Steakhouse in Clay, NY, and I was told it was there last year also, which means it must have been two years ago that I went to the last holiday luncheon because I remember it was at a different location.

There were at least 65 to 70 people there, and that was only because some people who had planned on coming didn't show up for whatever reason. No matter. As a true networking event, I'd have to say the setting wasn't great for it. Anyone who's ever been to the Outback knows how it's laid out. It's not really conducive to that large a group as far as walking around and getting to talk to everyone, especially with all those booths set up. It was also hard for the officers of the organization to speak to the crowd at times, because people overall would get so caught up in their own conversations, sometimes with their backs to the speakers (who they probably couldn't hear that well anyway) that at least 50% of it was wasted time.

However, when we were allowed to do what we came to do, which was to eat and get to know the people at our own tables, things improved greatly. I knew one of the people at my table already, as she works for a temporary staffing company. One of the other two I met runs a communications and copier business; that's an interesting combination. The other person works with Prudential Realty, but was fascinating because he used to own a couple of Dunkin' Donuts franchises, and I gained some great insight on why things taste different today than they used to; turns out it's not just my imagination after all.

Here's the thing. Getting out and networking is essential for anyone who's in business. There are all types of associations for all types of businesses, or positions. For instance, right now I'm a member of two Chambers of Commerce, two medical finance groups, a consultant's group, and a training organization; there are some others I'm sure, but they're not coming to me. When I was working for hospitals, I belonged to the same two medical finance groups, and two others that had to do with the profession, and sometimes got invited to others that had to do with technical issues I knew nothing about, but were still healthcare related. There are employee groups, mastermind groups, motivational groups of all types,... in a way, I guess one could say that there are even social groups that have a networking component to them also.

In other words, there's something for everyone, and it's important that we all partake in something every once in awhile, if only to help keep our sanity. Sure, I meet people here and there, but what turns out to be most important sometimes is learning that someone else either has had the same problems I've had, or still have, or having someone ask me for advice on an issue that I had in my past. Any time you get to unofficially either help to guide someone else or learn something from someone else, or just share experiences with someone else, you grow; and growth is what business is all about, if you're lucky.

So, take some time and go network; the holiday season is perfect for it.