Mark Evans (Mark Evans DM) delivers a brief PSA-style talk arguing that common networking practices (like exchanging business cards and treating events as casual hangouts) are inefficient. He favors intentional, relationship-focused networking—showing up with clear goals and seeking to forge and deepen connections rather than collecting cards or free food.
My time is valuable. This is not your grandpa's networking event. Like, this isn't come to hang out and whatever, but it's really to connect, forge, and deepen relationships. Like, networking events to me is maybe not what a networking event is to you. I'll explain. I never took business cards as a networking event. Not even once? Well, maybe once. Maybe my first time. And I realized it's very inefficient. And I met a lot of people, a lot of great people in Cleveland at the event, but the first thing they would do is like, here's my business card. Well, I haven't looked at them. I threw them all away. I don't use business cards. I don't use business cards like that. I want to relate relationship. And that said, it's not a strategy. If that works for you, great. Do it. Here's what I do know works for me. I show up intentional. I know what I need and what I want to get from this event. I'm not going there to hang out and get free food and free drinks.
