Networking and Fellowship

So the idea of networking has been on my mind for 6 months now. I have attended networking events, socials, net weaving, business support groups, luncheons, breakfasts, chamber events, mixers, holiday parties……you name it and I’ve tried it.

Common themes:
1. Not very many people like them
2. The lack of genuineness
3. The lack of real substance
4. Lack of clarity of purpose
5. Costly

Fellowship exists in churches, recovery groups, sports, alumni societies, community organizations, and politics. It exists everywhere that people really believe and like what they do.

Networking exists in jobs, work, business and shallow socializing.
So is there a way to cross fellowship and networking? I believe the opportunity exists for entrepreneurs.

There is a different motivation for those who are present and future depends upon their profession. Entrepreneurs develop their businesses most times from the fellowships they associate with.

Church is an example. Entrepreneurs highly connected within church grass root fellowships have a much higher success rate. There perceived value is increased because they are attached to the highest value offered….God.

Entrepreneurs connected with fellowships also enjoy the perceptions of:
Accountability
Consistency
Morals
Integrity
Community
Politics
Dues paid

These may or may not be true but it definitely helps get their foot in the door. Fellowships act as a screening process in people’s minds.

I am not interested in using any of my current fellowships as avenues for growing my business. My desire is to create a “working fellowship of entrepreneurs”.
Business is built on relationships and networking is limited when no fellowship exists.

The successful networking I have witnessed centered on a really enthusiastic person. The attendees felt as though they were in fellowship with that person rather than each other’s pitches.

Entrepreneurs have a common fellowship. It is an old, proven and solid basis we can rely on and a platform for us to build a working fellowship.

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