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Found a hidden gem for networking at the Edmonton Chamber mixer last month
I went to the Chamber of Commerce mixer at the Sutton Place hotel back in February and felt like I was just handing out cards to people who didn't remember me five minutes later. Then I hung back near the coffee station and started asking folks about their biggest headache in their business right now. Got three solid leads and a referral to a bookkeeper named Susan by just listening instead of pitching. Has anyone else had better luck ditching the elevator pitch at these events?
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juliashah3mo ago
Oh man, that's exactly it! I've started noticing this everywhere, not just at networking things - like at my kids' soccer games too, people just want to vent or share something real, not hear a polished speech. The whole "elevator pitch" thing feels like we're all just performing for each other. When you actually listen, people open up way more and remember you better. It's wild how something so simple changes everything.
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rileyb613mo ago
Totally, that "performing for each other" bit nails it, my buddy landed a huge contract just by asking a guy about his fishing trip.
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paul2863mo ago
I hear what you're saying @juliashah, but I'm not totally sold on the idea that we're all just "performing for each other". Sometimes a little structure helps, especially in business settings where time is tight. I've sat through plenty of rambling conversations that went nowhere because nobody had a clear point. There's a middle ground between a stiff elevator pitch and a meandering chat about someone's weekend. Does that kind of structure ever help you cut through the noise?
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