Why anyone thought that combining the two hellish experiences of networking and early mornings into a “business breakfast” was a good idea, is beyond me. However, in the interests of plugging the financial deficit (after taking on a mortgage to die for), I decide to offer my professional services as an accountant. Unfortunately, that requires “clients”. A brief foray into the world of online freelancing has proved fruitless, the highpoint being an MSN conversation with a cleaner in the big smoke. So it was back to the real world and the rediscovery of 6.30am starts.So, an hour or so later, I find myself, sandwiched between a hypnotherapist and a physical motivator, handing out business cards over a soggy fried breakfast.It’s my turn to speak and I can’t think of anything to say, beyond the statement that I’m an accountant, which is hardly attention grabbing. I hate public speaking, but I needn’t have worried, everyone is too busy eating their breakfast or waiting for the coffee pot.
Now the idea of these dreadful events, I’m told, is to not expect business on the day, but to make contacts who eventually refer clients or something like that.But I can’t help thinking that the logic is flawed. I have never required a made-to-measure tennis racket or met anyone else who does and in the unlikely event that I do, I’m unlikely to remember the company’s name.Meanwhile, the person on my left is complaining to anyone who’ll listen about the low quality breakfast (and specifically the lack of cold meats), I can’t helping thinking that they’ve missed the point completely.