Early in my consulting career, I was an active member of our Chamber of Commerce, from about 1988 until 1992. Then, my consulting practice took off and I found myself traveling almost every day and fifty percent of the time, during several years, out of state. My attention to local civic groups lapsed for a few years.
It's a long story, but I tired of the traveling, especially to other states for long term consulting projects. So, I set a goal the past couple of years around reconnecting with my local community.
I have rejoined the Chamber and several other local business groups including the local chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management and the American Society for Training and Development.
Back when I first started my company, I attended member mixers at the Chamber and hated them. Walking up and talking to strangers who all seemd to want to sell me something was not my idea of a way to spend a couple hours of my time.
This evening, I attended my first Chamber mixer in this new era. And, guess what? It's not about me. It's about finding out everything I can about the people I am talking to at the mixer. I'm not sure why I didn't get that before, but I do now. Big time. I came home and told my husband that either the Chamber had changed, the attendees had changed, or I had changed, because I really enjoyed myself and met about thirty people. Having thought about it for the rest of the evening, the answer is that I changed.
I'd like to highly recommend that you become active in civic groups for your organization and for you, if you are not. Networking is so special, I may write about it soon. Looking for employees? Looking for good PR for your organization? Looking for customers? People want to buy your excellent product, and you want to buy theirs.
And, where else can you meet an elderly, courtly, Hispanic gentleman who consults out of his home a couple of miles from my home? He consults about anything wireless, teaches dancing at local colleges, and choreographs plays and dance presentations all over the state. Plus, he was at the mixer to introduce the mayor. Can networking get any better than this?
Alison Doyle, the Job Searching Guide at About.com, has written an interesting piece for Women's History Month. Take a look.
12:25:56 AM
It's Not About Me 
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