The Secret to Navigating Organized Social Quagmires

The quickest way to make me wince in pain is to inform me that I have mandatory attendance to an organized social quagmireÉahemÉsorry, I meant "networking event." Personally, I enjoyed my last networking event as much as I enjoyed my last Two Buck Chuck hangover.

I don't think it's just me, either. I remember reading somewhere that the top five biggest fears for adults are as follows:

5. Public Speaking
4. Networking Events
3. Non-Alcoholic Beverages Only Networking Events
2. Death
1. Smart Sharks

Wait... that doesn't seem right... I think death and public speaking are supposed to be flip-flopped.

Anyway, if you're like me and many of your friends are getting married or moving away to pursue new career opportunities, then good networking skills are an absolute necessity to meet new people. There's a secret to getting through these things, though. I just figured it out about a month ago when I (accidentally) had a really good time at the Ad2 Madison annual meeting.

The difference between the fun networking event and the not-fun networking event? It's simple: a networking wingman.

A networking wingman is no different from a going-out-on-the-town wingman but instead of combining resources to get an after-bar going, you're combining resources to make new friends and bolster career contacts. Making introductions, laughing at each other's corny jokes and talking up each other's accomplishments. I'm not bringing anything new to the table in regards to the wingman concept, I'm simply suggesting the application of the idea to networking events.

If you're looking for an easy way to test this theory, I recommend attending the Ad2 Madison Betty Lou cruise on Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Although the idea of a captive networking event may seem daunting at first, I assure you, this is a fun group of people and if you've heeded my advice, your newfound networking wingman will ensure you're the life of the party.

Plus, it's a booze cruise. Ever hear anyone complain about the crappy booze cruise they were on the other night? I didn't think so.

Accept for the Titanic. That was a pretty crappy booze cruise. – Gordon Bombay, Madison (07-30-08)

Good call on the networking tip. Also, I feel your fear with the Smart Sharks. – Tom, McFarland, WI (07-30-08)

I saw on Shark Week that scientists believe there are smart sharks. Honest to god smart sharks. I blame global warming. – Mitch, Waunakee (07-30-08)

This is brilliant. Think of the other applications - funeral wingman, family reunion wingman, job interview wingman. You could go on forever. – Michael, Madison (07-31-08)

Makes sense. I was at a networking event just this past Monday, and I tell you, going in without knowing a single person gives you just about as good a feeling as cold calling "prospective" clients. Don't you think that with most networking events, the "network" is already established anyway? You go to one of these functions, and everyone already knows everyone else? The dominant purpose of any networking event is to get people interested in not only you, but opening up new doors for your respective business. And as we all know, the hardest thing in the world to do is put your clients in the hands of someone you don't know; because he or she now becomes an extension of you and your business. Having a wingman can help the networking prospect get a better idea of who you are and what you're about, as well as if you're reliable. Think about it, wingman's occasional plug plus liquor has to equal a good time...Most deals are done over drinks anyway... – Jeff, Madison (07-31-08)