Networking Groups

Networking groups have been around for a long time; informal networking for those who are networkers by nature and habitually keep in contact with others, which proves to be mutually beneficial.

The rest of us? Not so easy. Some network via groups related to their college, whether it's a Fraternity or Sorority, sport team or some other campus group; small business owners may join formal networking groups designed to increase business contacts. Where I live, there are small business networking groups formed by geographic area and profession. Meaning there's one attorney in the group. And one insurance person. Along with one of whatever other business owners have joined. They sometimes limit their membership to one each of professions listed. Other groups are more general.

In addition to these, people have other affiliations, sometimes related to current or former employers, along with membership groups such as Lions Club, Eagles, Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo and the American Legion.

Lately, the trend has been for state unemployment offices and church groups to sponsor networking groups. A new twist is to have accountability. It used to be the only entity to which one was accountable, at least in my state, was the state unemployment office, which, in my state, has hoops through which one must jump in order to obtain unemployment benefits. Apparently people now must be accountable to others as they seek employment.

In the current economy, that's probably a good thing; it's too easy to become complacent, especially in light of the possibility of unemployment benefits being extended and/or increased. It's definitely preferable to be working, but taht isn't always a possibility.