ICYMI, meeting for coffee is so five minutes ago, the network mixer is passé, and martini lunches had a place and time in the Mad Men era of history. Now, if you want to get a game plan going for your business, you need to get moving-literally.
Welcome to sweatworking, where you can network with potential business partners and contacts while working up a sweat through exercise.
The Internet's discussion of sweatworking often comes in waves, since the idea has been around for about five years. However, despite the many listicles touting its health benefits, the practice has yet to be universally implemented. But if anyone can make sweatworking the norm, it's an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs have revolutionized the standing desk, count the Steve Jobs quote “Stay hungry, stay foolish” as a mantra to live by, and they are constantly thinking-and doing things-outside of the box.
Leave your conference room GoToMeeting calls and awkward name tags behind, and grab your yoga mat and water bottle. Here's why entrepreneurs need to sweat in order to get ahead:
Sweatworking saves you from making serious networking faux pas.
Networking face-to-face contains a bevy of hidden icebergs amidst the icebreakers. Too many complimentary cocktails at a mixer, and you might be tipsy before you know it. Interrupting conversations, becoming a wallflower, or trying to sell your business to everyone you encounter are just a handful of social cue no-nos that you could make without realizing it.
By sweatworking, you're rescued from this kind of behavior and allowed to clear your head and any tensions of the day through exercise. Everyone sweats together and small talk flows easier because of it. Remember to pace yourself, physically and mentally, and remain professional by avoiding commentary about weight or criticisms of the gym or studio you're meeting at. If you still feel like you would rather put your best foot forward in a more formal setting, use your first sweatworking session for a casual introduction to the person where you can brainstorm ideas together.
You learn a lot about the person just by showing up.
Will they opt for a brisk walk or suggest going for a spin on a stationary bike? Indoor or outdoor workout? One mile or two? While there's no prize for sweatworking the hardest (and nor should there be!), there are subtle observations made by both parties about how you choose to exercise.
Do you challenge yourself to go the extra mile? Understand the importance of taking a break if you get worn out quickly? What about your attitude? Are you pumped to be there or do you feel like rolling your eyes? Exercising allows us to see others through a more vulnerable light than within the formalities of an office space. By sweatworking together, you may see someone you could confidently partner with, or you may not.
Introvert? Extrovert? Sweatworking embraces all personality types.
It doesn't matter if you're shy or outgoing, sweatworking embraces all entrepreneurs with plenty of ways to get moving and get the conversation started. But it's still networking nonetheless which can be jitter-inducing, so here are a few tips on how to make it work for your personality type:
- Don't want to sweat it alone? Ask your co-founder, a member of your team, advisor, or mentor to come and join you.
- Schedule a flexible end to sweatworking to ensure you have an out and provide both parties with enough time to get back to work.
- Don't push yourself to keep talking. Use the time to listen and ask thoughtful questions. Do a little research beforehand about the person you're sweatworking with, like checking out their LinkedIn profile for a glimpse into their career background and any mutual connections you may have in common.
Loved it the first time? Follow up with more sweatworking!
While you'll undoubtedly reconnect via email or by phone afterward, if it's a success, do it again! If your first sweatworking activity was one you like doing, make the second one something the other person would enjoy. If everyone is game for it, you can even throw a bunch of ideas into a hat-like indoor rock climbing or kayaking-and choose at random to pick an outing that challenges, gets endorphins pumping, and will definitely be a memorable experience for one and all.
The post Why Entrepreneurs Need to Stop Networking and Start Sweatworking! appeared first on AllBusiness.com
The post Why Entrepreneurs Need to Stop Networking and Start Sweatworking! appeared first on AllBusiness.com. Click for more information about Deborah Sweeney.
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