I Refuse to Participate in a Recession

There's a groundswell in the NYC business community. Entrepreneurs, like myself, are using the economic downturn to our advantage by leveraging Social Networking. There are events going on all over the city (BNI, The Real Deal, Ladies Who Launch) that bring together entrepreneurs to talk about and sell services in fun, social settings. This is great for business and great for our brains.

Busy people need to keep busy and Social Networking forces us to get out and be social. Everyday provides an opportunity to make a new personal or professional connection. The recession has, in fact, forced our hands. Business owners can't afford to sit at desks fretting about falling stocks. And why would we want to when their are boundless opportunities to get busy doing business in unique and socially acceptable ways?

Social Networking events and mixers are cheap with many comped. No more swag bags with free pens, hats, T-Shirts and branded keychains. But that's ok, we've got stacks of shiny business cards and cash-bar drinks in our hands. After all, it's the recession, stupid.

Social Networking is extremely, well, social. You can do business AND get a date. True story: I attended The New York Times Small Business Summit in November and during the speed networking mixer met a man who owns a moving company. We exchanged business cards over drinks. I got asked out on a date - two birds with one stone.

Social Networking is a recession-proof strategy for professionals who want to stay on top of their game. After all, if we don't keep each other in business and engaged, who will? Find an event today.