I used to think that I was way off base by the fact that I found elevator speeches annoying and insincere. I tried out a few myself at the constant urging of consultants and pundits. Even had a business consultant spend hours with me crafting one that conveyed what I did and how I helped people.

I tried it out a few times and repeatedly received either indifference or people would have a puzzled look, spend a few seconds trying to translate what I said, and then respond with something along the lines of:

Them "So you're an Immigration lawyer?"

Me: "Yes"

Them: "Why didn't you just say that to begin with?"

I enjoy talking to new people any time anywhere, but the typical approach to networking can be soo off putting that I don't care to participate either!

I've got a great friend who is a proud introvert and gets worn out by interactions with her clients. Her preferred approach is using Twitter and other online networks as a way to meet them on her own terms and timeframes (and with less of the energy load of doing it in person).

btw - my philosophy on networking is that you only really should network when you have a real need to - or if you just enjoy it. Otherwise, it's too much work and there's too little pay-off (unless you just naturally love it, or have to do it as part of your job - sales, etc).

- Allan

For some of us, dealing with people is a chore. They're not bad people. It's just the rules of social interactions are not natural for some people, so any interaction involves waaaaay too much work. At the end of the day, I'm exhausted by all the people I've had to interact with... and that's just through relatively structured work-related interaction. Any intensive interaction in a more social/unstructured 'networking' environment would make my head explode!

I'll just take a good movie/book instead!

Allan