Natural Networking

Ivan Misner has a weekly podcast that you can find here that might be just the thing if you are looking for some inspiration. You can listen to it, or download it, or simply read the transcript (which is what I did). His most recent podcast on July 8th, 2009 was titled, "Episode 112: Networking Lessons from Nature." It is from this podcast that I took my Motivational Minutes today.

What do vineyards and redwoods have in common?

Aside from the obvious fact that they are both found in California, they are the subject of Dr. Ivan Misner's latest podcast related to networking.

Dr. Misner and his wife recently visited Napa Valley and toured some vineyards, most notably the Chateau Montelana, which was immortalized in the movie Bottle Shock (which I highly recommend as an engaging and well-crafted film). He found out that there is a particular way of farming the grapes to ensure that they produce quality product throughout the growing season, no matter what occurs in the climate. This became a metaphor for the type of networking that we are each called to do through the BNI model.

Vintners use "dry farming" to produce consistently quality grapes. Dry farming is accomplished through no irrigation. Dry or rainy season, they are not irrigated. That sounds counter-intuitive to producing strong crops, but they do this for a reason. As a result of this type of conditions, the plants are forced to grow deep roots in order to get at the year-round underground supply of water, no matter the climate up above.

We are encouraged in our BNI model to have deep reserves for when the going gets tough. The economic climate right now is decidedly dry. This means that we may have to dig deeper to produce quality referrals. But by workin on our deep-water relationships, we will support growth in our businesses no matter what the economic climate is doing and we will be more successful than the average business owner who doesn't have the BNI network on their side.

The giant redwood tree averages a height of 250 feet. At that towering height, you would assume that they have a deep root system to anchor them to withstand whatever winds may blow. Quite the contrary, they have a very shallow root system. So how do they manage to grow so massive and stand for so long?

The giant redwoods harbor a secret under their soil as well to remain upright even in the windiest of times. Their roots are actually intertwined with the roots of their neighboring trees. They support each other with the winds come to blow them over. When one is under the direct pressure of the wind, the system of the interlocking roots serves to hold them all in place.

Our relationships in BNI are like that intertwining root system. We serve to hold each other up and spur growth in our respective businesses. There are many times when I feel like giving up, but my BNI friends, particularly those that I have most closely linked myself to, have served to not only prop me up but surround me with their love and support and encourage me to grow.

And Dr. Misner said it best..."That's why networking and relationship marketing are so important, especially in a tough economy. These two metaphors, I think, really sit well that you can have your roots go deep through this dry farming concept, and by going deep you are more stable. But at the same time, if you can interconnect with other business people, you can help one another."

Working Words of Wisdom
"The miracle is this - the more we share, the more we have."