Aren’t birds fascinating this time of year? Every August, barn swallows gather on our electric wires and chatter, chatter, chatter. People in the know call this staging, but I like to think of it as networking for the migration ahead. We’ll soon start to see turkey vultures, sandhill cranes and Canada geese staging by the thousands in nearby woods and wetlands.
Birds don’t fly solo. They fly farther and more efficiently when they gather.
Entrepreneurs Need to Gather As Well
This past weekend a board on which I serve gathered for its annual retreat. We had the option of attending in person or via Zoom. I chose Zoom. I claimed it was because of my schedule, but if I’m honest it’s also because more and more I find myself reclusing.
In bird talk, COVID, technology and working from home have enabled us to fly solo. But is this always the best? Are we missing opportunities to fly farther and more efficiently? Zoom worked well enough for my board retreat, but it didn’t pick up the in-person discussions. It didn’t cover gathering for dinner and social hours. It didn’t allow me to fully get to know my peers and interact with them.
Opportunities for Gathering
As summer comes to an end, we find ourselves hunkering down for winter. Hunkering is fine, reclusing is not. Here are three easy ways to gather:
- Conferences, perfect for networking
Depending on your industry, August-October and January-March are considered conference seasons. Now is a good time to get online and find one that relates to you. - On-site meetings, how quaint and old-fashioned
I’m wrapping up a web design project and will soon tutor my customer for managing the site. We could do this via Zoom but meeting in person will be more efficient and productive. - Coffee, nothing more personal
When is the last time you’ve simply gone out for a chat with a business peer or customer? What’s new with them? How have the past two years affected their life?
What I’m Working On This Month
August was a big wrap-up of the Farm/Art DTour event guide by Wormfarm Institute. Want a preview? Check it out page by page!
A big kudos to Tracy Harris of Cricket Design Works for the stunningly gorgeous front and back covers. If this doesn’t bring you to your senses, gee, I don’t know what will. I love collaborating with talented professionals!
What I’m Tuned In To This Month
- Please, not our TP. Sadly yes, PFAS have even been detected in our toilet paper.
- Selling in festivals or markets is an art and a science. Here, here and here is a 3-part series of good advice.
- Intimate portraits through 60 years of marriage, photography and artistic devotion.
- Should you do a newsletter? Yes, newsletters and social media marketing have long-range returns, but here’s why they pay. P.S. I can help you with both!