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New and Improved Networking

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could network with industry colleagues on site at a company that could one day be your employer? That's the new trend in the technology industry thanks to one industrious, former Google employee.

As one article describes, this former Googler returned to one of the Company's cafeterias for free lunch with friends. Then the idea came to him: why not check out companies while enjoying a free or reasonably priced lunch at the same time. Now, that idea has turned into a group dubbed Lunch 2.0, and they network regularly as various companies' cafeterias.

This is a bit of a radical idea, but it has transformed networking nationwide with positive results. Now if you think the only way to network nowadays is to sneak into corporate cafeterias and score a free meal think again. Networking has changes in all sorts of ways, from rubbing elbows in cyber-space to the tried and true industry organization event. Consider creating your own networking events. Here are a couple of ideas:

- Develop a "speed networking" event to be held at a local restaurant or night spot. Similar to speed dating, this would allow professionals to try out their elevator speech and develop several new contacts for jobs.
- Organize a group of professionals who share interests outside of work. Maybe a beach or parks clean up committee. The idea is to get to know people while sharing a common interest.
- Design an event with a personal touch. Maybe a bi-monthly, themed dinner event that includes a recipe and business card exchange. And encourage "regulars" to bring someone new every time so that the network continues to grow.

Networking doesn't have to be the dry, uninviting event of yesterday. Put some thought into it and make it a fun event that keeps people interested in returning.