Connecting the dots

I know that some Chamber members think networking events are not a good use of time because their customers don’t fit the profile of a small business owner, which makes up the bulk of the Chamber. My answer to them? Pretend you are hearing a big old-fashioned raspberry! Why?

Because you just never know whom you will meet. Or to which degree of separation they are either connected to you OR to the biggest client/customer you could ever have. Let me illustrate with a case in point – two cases in point, in fact - that took place yesterday morning. The back story:

When Arne Gronningsater of Inner Works Construction Services stopped in to learn more about the Chamber last week, I invited him to give us a try at the Coffee. While we chatted I learned that his wife Christina Sillari was a divinity student in her last year before becoming a minister.

In the hubbub of networking, a Jam’n Java customer introduced himself to me as I stood nearby the door because he was interested in what was going on. As we chatted, Bob Craigue told me that he had recently left WBZ TV where he had worked with Liz Walker.

Connection #1 involved me! I’ve been trying to find a way to connect with Ms. Walker myself and this is the closest I’ve come yet.

Connection # 2 involved Arne. When Bob mentioned that he had just started a new job as media center director at Andover Newton Theological School, I laughed and said that I had someone right there at Jam’n Java whose wife was studying to be a minister. I introduced the two of them and it turns out that Arne’s wife is at the same school. Soon, Bob who is new there will know one more person because I imagine Bob and Christina will connect.

Networking is really just connecting the dots, connecting the stories, connecting the people. From Arne →Michèle →Bob→Arne→Bob→Christina. Who knows what wonderful things might happen from my connecting to Bob and Bob's connecting to Christina? That's the thing - you just never know until you put yourself out there what might happen, do you?