The mission of MONTREAL 5A7 is to answer certain issues raised by the constitution and enrichment of your business network. This is a subject that many have dealt with, to the point where one could say that what hasn’t already been said has already been written.
So how is it in our interest to offer you a series of articles about networking? For one simple reason: because we want to fully assume our role of network facilitator and to accompany our approach with our own tools, our take on practices in Quebec.
The question of networking isn’t reserved for one type of person: we all take an interest in it, whether we are
And so on, and so forth.
A network is not fixed, nor acquired: we work on it and take care of it at all stages in its life, whether we judge our business fine as it is, or on the contrary, whether we have no other choice than to develop it to build an audience or after going through a difficult period.
What must be understood is that networking is not a call for aid: it is an exchange of interests and services in which the reciprocity nourishes a sense of mutual trust.
Building a network is a subtle art that demands time, attention, good listening skills, the giving of yourself and respect for the rules of good conduct. But not only.
It demands, above all, determination and patience. Overcoming your fears: those of the unknown and the perception of yourself by others. Those of not being worthy enough to assert yourself, or having enough to offer others. Those of finding yourself in the position of asker rather than giver. But also the overcoming of certain fixed conceptions : those, notably, of not seeing the use.
Among the tools that each of us possesses to enter into contact with others, MONTREAL 5A7 has taken the approach of adding value to a certain particular aspect of networking : that of a physical meeting during dedicated events through a broad spectrum encompassing but not limited to happy hour networking (the 5-à-7 in Montreal speak). Informal events, conferences, ateliers, round tables or salons, are practices some can’t get enough of but are confounding to others.
Starting now, in our objective to allow the greatest number to access networking events that we list on this site, newcomers (and those that are thinking of it), the reluctant, people encountering difficulty in finding employment, we are happy to initiate the realization of a thematic dossier which has a simple objective :
to demystify networking practices and instill confidence in those who doubt their capacity or their interest to act.
