Networking...?!
I’d trapped some hair in my name badge sticker, and it was tugging every time I turned my head. As if I wasn’t uncomfortable enough already. I walked into the bar, and all I could see were people’s backs facing me - standing in circles, engrossed in conversation, laughing. I felt like a fraud, like someone was going to tell me I didn’t deserve to be there, that I was too inexperienced and should just stay at home.
I ordered a lemonade at the bar and looked around, trying to catch someone’s eye, trying to talk to someone, anyone so I didn’t stick out as an imposter. No luck. I finished my lemonade and looked around again. Just the same circles of jovial conversations, no chinks in the impenetrable fortresses. Feeling like a spare part, I went to the loo and calculated the number of minutes until the presentation started. I decided to take my time doing my lipstick and hair. Having driven for an hour to this event, paid my entry fee, and arranged with my husband for him to get home early from work to put the kids to bed, I felt the pressure to make it all worth it. But I didn’t enjoy myself, and I felt uncomfortable the whole time. Believe it or not, I’m a people person, I thrive off of human interaction, I just couldn’t work out how to get going in this environment.
And that’s how my networking journey started, and I’m pleased to say I’ve come a long way since!
MEET STEPH
Hi, I’m Steph, and I’m a complete convert to networking. I remember all too well that uncomfortable feeling of turning up to an event on your own, finding it hard to strike up conversations and connections with strangers, and the pressure to make it 'worth it.' For me, the biggest win was shifting away from in-person to online networking events. I’m a busy mum and business owner who left London 5 years ago for a life by the sea, which means most events are at least an hour away and it becomes a logistical nightmare to juggle with my home commitments. I’ve learned to be picky about which events I turn up to, and the majority are online as it just fits with my life.
...MAKING THE COMPLEX SIMPLE AND HAVING FUN ALONG THE WAY!
I first discovered Cogito Wealth and Sarah Poynton-Ryan through the free Facebook challenge she organizes. The premise is that you are assigned a series of challenges every day for 5 days, followed by a round-up session each evening where Sarah imparts her wisdom and knowledge to those of us looking to grow our property businesses. I had attended my fair share of dry webinars on property, and I appreciated the welcoming vibe and atmosphere of Sarah's group. I also liked how she rewarded participants with personal development books for putting in the most effort during the challenge. I'm a fan of freebies, and I promised myself that one day I would win one. I was impressed by Sarah's story of overcoming debt and building a successful business. I was in awe of all she had achieved and how knowledgeable she was - making the complex simple and having fun along the way. I wanted to be part of the fun but couldn't see how I could add value in any way.
Fast forward a couple of free challenges later (and three books won!), I joined the Cogito Wealth Strategy Hub. By now, I had started attending a couple of in-person lunch events and was just beginning my online networking journey in earnest. I met with Sarah at her office for some "Whiteboard Wizardry" and immersed myself in the training. I invited Sarah and a few Strategy Hub members to an event in London that I had attended a few times. I liked the fact that it was a lunch event, which meant I could work it around the school run. It also meant that only those serious about their property businesses could and would attend.
It was great to see Sarah again outside of challenge week and the CW office, but I was really surprised at how quiet she was. I couldn't reconcile the larger-than-life guru with the observant introvert I saw before me. On the tube afterward, we had a chat about how networking wasn't her zone of genius, and I could see the gears turning in her mind. Perhaps there's a way for us to work together after all…
...JUST BECAUSE WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING, DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO COMPETE WITH ONE ANOTHER!
After a few months of chatting with Sarah and Zoe, we launched the first-ever online networking sessions with Cogito. These are held once a month and allow members to get to know each other outside of the training sessions, form valuable connections, friendships, and even business partnerships.
The sessions are structured in three parts - all run on Zoom. We start with virtual rooms of medium-sized groups where you can get to know each other, then move to smaller groups, and finally, one-on-one rooms. There’s no need to try to join a group with their backs to you at the bar, no awkward searching for name-tags (everyone’s name is helpfully displayed on their screen), and it’s a friendly, supportive environment.
It can be really lonely as a solo business owner, and having someone who understands and can even offer help or advice is invaluable. If you’re like me, there’s likely someone in that group who can assist you in growing your business or overcoming the hurdles and challenges we all inevitably face.
I’ve met some amazing people via the network so far - individuals operating in different parts of the country and facing similar challenges. Just because we are doing the same thing doesn’t mean we have to compete with one another. In fact, it’s not a competitive environment in that way at all, just a group of people all wanting to do better and be better.
If that sounds like something you’re interested in, we would love to get to know you better and see how we can help you grow your business this year. Click here for more info on the Cogito Wealth Network. I look forward to meeting you!
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