The Spur-of-the-Moment Networking Experience

 

By Robert Stanke, Northern Plains Bureau Chief

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Like many of you probably do on a daily basis, I often rely on public transportation to get to and from the office each day.  In this day and age, it is often more affordable, time management effective, and a good chance to enjoy a book, newspaper, or the latest podcasts/music on your iPod.  Here in the Northern Plains, we are a little bit behind in terms of mass transit, but are making ground slowly but surely.  Specifically, here in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, our bus system is very effective and is growing by leaps and bounds in terms of ridership.  We are slowly integrating some light-rail, but really only have one set of tracks that go from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America and the airport.  State officials and The Metro Council keep telling us that the light-rail system will expand, but we are not holding our breath quite yet.

So what does this have to do with networking, well, hang in there with me…

I was on the “25” bus line a couple of weeks ago which travels from downtown Minneapolis to my home in St. Anthony – about a 20-25 minute bus ride through the northeast area of Minneapolis.  Usually it is very, very quiet on the bus.  People are doing their own thing: relaxing, probably thinking about preparing dinner or making time to watch their favorite TV show later in the evening.  Not me, on this particular day.  I was thinking about the people sitting around me.

I was seated near the back of the bus, in a part that is organized not by two seat rows, but in more of a semi-circle.  I had one person to my left, three or four people to my right, and four people in front of me.  Some were reading, one had her laptop open, and the others were pretty much just holding a glazed over look on their face.  I tried to imagine what each person was thinking about, what they do for a living, and if they were wondering the same thing about me.  Then I did something that even took me by surprise.  I said…

“Hi.  My name is Robert Stanke.”

Yes, it was exactly what you are thinking – a very awkward moment.  What prompted me to do it is still unknown even to this day, but what it has turned into since has been life-changing.

See, I essentially started a spur-of-the-moment networking session, and it either could have been successful or a big flop.  After my brief introduction, there was a pause (again, a very awkward moment for me) as I panned the back of the bus looking for a response.  I am sure most people thought I was on my cell phone, so they quickly went back to their routine.  Then, out of no where, the lady next to me replied with a “hi”.  Immediately I felt better.  We chatted for a couple of minutes about what we do for a living, where we live, etc., and before we knew it, two other people engaged in the conversation.  Then two more.  It was fun hearing what people do, name-drop, and exchange business cards.  Sure, one or two around the circle chose not to talk, and that is completely fine, but it was really fun meeting four or five new people.

Is this not where the heart of networking comes from?  You don’t need to always be connected by someone else initially – sometimes you have to take the step to start a new network.  This one is my “busing” network.  Who knows, I may do business with someone I met during that time, or not, but opening up those connections was important – not just to me, but to the others as well, who may have never started that conversation.  When I got home I tried to make note of who I had met and what they do or had to say during our ride home.

Pretty much every day since, the same group of us sit in the back of the bus and are quick to greet each other and strike up conversation.  I have gotten to know them pretty well, and the other day was actually disappointed I had to sit near the front of the bus as my usual seat was already taken!

My article this month might not have much to do with the Northern Plains, but I thought it was important to write.  Networking opportunities are all around us, sometimes we just need to look to find them and have the courage to approach them.  Some of these opportunities will be rewarding; some will flop, but you never know until you try.

To Pam, Andrew, Tomeka, Jerry, and Audrey… thanks for the chance to network and build relationships with each of you on the “25” each evening after work.  See you at 5:30!


- Robert Stanke

 

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