Melissa G Wilson - Networking Is Dead: Making Connections That Matter

M EREDITH SPOTTED LANCE the minute he walked into the crowded coffee shop. His head was down, his shoulders hunched, fingers clutching the strap of his leather messenger bag tightly. Lance hated crowds.

It was, of course, one of the reasons shed chosen the Cup of Caf in the first placeto ease Lance out of his comfort zone by getting him out of his cloistered corporate office and into the real world.

At 42, Lance looked as dignified as ever in black slacks and purple dress shirt, wearing the lilac tie shed given him for Christmas. Lance finally spotted her as he took his place in line.

A smile lit up his still-handsome face, then quietly flickered and fizzled out when he saw where shed placed herselfin a booth smack dab in the middle of the caf. She smirked as he wagged a finger; he much preferred a corner booth, out of the busy and noisy coffee shops hub.

Why dont we just sit on the counter and put out a tip jar? Lance grumbled playfully as he sat down across from her, sliding a gingerbread scone across the table in her direction.

She smiled. He knew it was her favorite. Werent you the one who wanted to try new things this year? Wasnt stretching your boundaries one of your resolutions?

Lance fingered the side of his red and green holiday-themed coffee cup. I suppose, he sighed, taking a sip of his coffee. I just prefer to do my stretching in private, thats all.

You cant grow your network in private, Lance, she scolded.

Meredith nibbled on her scone and tried to ignore the bluesy rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer humming away on the cafs speakers overhead. Youd think theyd switch back to normal by now, Lance remarked, as if reading her mind. I mean, it is the fifth of January already.

She chuckled. It had always been like that for Meredith and Lance. Like an old married couple, they could often be found finishing each others sentences, coming up with the same ideas at the same time, partnering on a variety of side ventures despite their busy professional lives.

Lance had been Merediths tutor while she majored in business marketing at State, and as their professional relationship grew friendlier, hed encouraged her to join a few campus clubs to build her list of connections before she graduated.

At 36, Meredith was younger than Lance by more than a few years, but she enjoyed being mentored in various business scenarios as much as she enjoyed mentoring Lance in a variety of social scenariosCoffee Shop 101, for instance!

How ironic, she mused as they waited for Jill, their mutual friend and yoga instructor, to join them, that Lance had helped me start my own personal network only to turn into a professional hermit himself!

How are the rest of your resolutions going? Meredith asked, subtly reminding Lance that, after all, this was his big idea for a brighter, more connected new year.

He hoisted his coffee cup to eye level and said, Well, Im breaking one as we speakno more caffeineand once this meeting with Jill goes bust, that will make two.

Oh no Meredith smiled, waving to Jill as she walked through the caf door at that precise moment. It was your idea for us both to double our business connections this year, and Im not going to let either one of us back out of it now.

Meredith watched as Jill flirted lazily with the barista who took her order. She was in her mid-twenties and looked impeccable in fitted linen slacks and a crisp white blouse, but Meredith knew the part-time career coach was far more comfortable in the yoga pants and tank top she wore while putting her and Lance through their paces at her private gym three times a week.

Happy New Year! Jill declared cheerfully, joining them at the booth and hugging them both as the scent of her peppermint mocha breezed across the table. Im so glad you two reached out to me after the holidays. I have