Opportunity Networking

by Byron Woodson II

Maybe i need to change the name of this blog. I was scouring the internet, yet again, for other articles and blogs about professional networking. For all the rave i hear about them, most 'networking' blogs mostly focus on using Facebook, Linkedin or other social networking. Not many talk directly about how to improve your face-to-face networking or professional networking.

Anyhow, i came across a blog post by Steve Woodruff entitled "do you have an opportunity network?" The gist of it is that he networks with people not just for business, but to build a community within which it is easier for suppliers and customers to connect. He says "in fact, my entire consulting business model is the use of a growing network to bring together clients and providers."

That 'opportunity network' is a great term for what I advocate by doing the actions and passion of 'netweaving'. It seems that the traditional terms like professional networking and business networking don't really scratch the moving itch that we have in these times.

I also like the guy because I did about four more minutes of research on him and his blogs and found two other blog posts (more about business and about matchmaking) that I found relatively relevant (did you like that alliteration?). Though they are pretty focused on the intersection of 'opportunity networking' and social media, they're just as applicable to face-to-face networking.

I like the phrase opportunity networking so much, maybe i'll write another blog post discussing just what I mean by that!