Joe Apfelbaum explains why most networking events don't reach senior executives, then names four peer groups where CEOs actually gather: Entrepreneurs' Organization, Vistage, the Executives Association, and Young Presidents' Organization. He also suggests industry-specific associations for salespeople aiming to build relationships at their level or above.
Chapters
When I started my journey of networking 10 years ago, I started going to networking events and I realized the level of the people at those networking events that I would go to weren't really at the level I wanted the people to be at, both in terms of their networking style, their experience, and where they were in their business. I wanted to network with other savvy CEOs, business owners, executives that know how to network. And so what I did was I joined or organizations that have CEOs in them, that have business owners that are networking friendly. Organizations like Entrepreneurs Organization. It's not a networking organization, but it is a network and you can network there and build real relationships with people. Another organization where I got to meet some amazing people is Vistage. Again, not a networking organization. I was searching for CEO networking and I came across Vistage. Very powerful. They have a trusted advisor group that you can join And you can become a trusted advisor to the 20,000 CEOs in the Vistage community. There's also the Executives Association. There's chapters all over the United States and Canada. You can join one of those associations. Joining the right groups, the right associations, connecting with people like the Young Presidents Organization, YPO. These organizations have top-level CEOs. And if you happen to be a CEO, then hang out with other CEOs and build relationships. If you're a salesperson in your industry, there are many associations and organizations that you can join to build relationships with people at your level or at the next level that you can connect with, you can build relationships with, and you can take your life and your business to the next level. Let me know what associations you're joining. I'm curious to know what you're doing.