Meeting 100 New People In 100 Days. Join Me?
By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM
Who doesn’t love summer? Vacations, longer days, fewer cars on the commute and a general sense of ease. For me, summer means networking. I find that people are more relaxed, not just in their schedules but in their lives. This makes meeting new people and networking significantly more rewarding. Conversations flow more easily, more stories are about weekend activities than work challenges, 10 minute calls stretch to half an hour or more, lunches last longer, one drink segues into a leisurely second round. Laughter fills in the places usually occupied by stressful sighs.
For me, networking is about hearing people’s stories, improving my listening skills, learning about things I know nothing of, sharing my own story and most of all, finding ways to help and connect people. Inevitably the conversation leads to me offering to make an introduction, help someone write something, pass along a resume, recommend a vendor or set up a meeting to help others do business.
The other night I had dinner with someone I honestly can’t stand. It was a surreal experience. We have virtually nothing in common and live completely dissimilar lives. It was as if I got a glimpse of what life on Mars is like during those 90 minutes. I still don’t much prefer the person, but I’m very glad we had dinner and, in a curious way, I enjoyed myself.
Meeting New People
Making connections count
Being the Type A personality I am, I use the slower pace of summer to put my networking in high gear. As of July 5th, I embarked on a journey to meet 100 new people in 100 days. I’m asking people to introduce me to someone. I’ve met colleagues who needs help planning vacations, someone’s funny friend, a recent graduate who needs guidance, a potential vendor and potential client. I’ve reciprocated with the person I’m meeting and the person making the introduction. I ask what’s behind the introduction (pleasure, business, vendor potential, etc.) and take it from there.
So far, I’ve connected unemployed people with job leads, introduced two friends who are now going for drinks on their own, helped three people market products and volunteered to cook dinner for 30 children who live in a local halfway house. Each time I meet someone in person, I try to go to a venue that supports local farmers, gives college students a summer home, or is new to an area and could use extra foot traffic. When distance prevents a face to-face meeting, I use Skype as often as possible. Seeing someone and visibly sharing a smile, enhances the interaction.
Having a wonderful time, wish you were here
The experience is benefiting everyone involved and I’m having a wonderful time. The challenge is not gaining 100 pounds while meeting 100 people. The good news is that I’ve met a trainer and a nutritionist (who I have since introduced to each other and who are now doing business together), so I’m all set if I do!
I post a quick update on LinkedIn about who I am meeting each day and another about how the previous day’ s introduction went. I’m chronicling the experience in detail so I can capture what resulted from the introduction and have a true study on the power of networking. I can’t wait to share the results.
You can follow the project on LinkedIn. Want to join? Introduce yourself or someone you know to me, and let’s see what transpires. If you want to learn more about how to network, watch this space for future articles.
When good people connect, the possibilities are endless. Join me in the adventure. Email me at: Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events.
Tags: Meeting 100 New People In 100 Days Join Me, Networking, Career Netoworking, Network, New People, LinkedIn, Event Planning, Event Planners, Strategic Planners, Strategic Events, Plan Your Meetings
