Networking at 35,000 feet

[Mal]

... and people who I have chatted with get annoyed when I don't disclose my employer.

Knick off. If I want to tell you who I work for, I will. I dont care if you work for (insert random asx 250 or small business focussed organisation), it doesn't change things.

If I have to then sit next to you for the next 1 to 12 hours I wont be happy.

 

[Skyring]

It's our nightmare flight, really. You get a good seat in the good cabin, twelve or fourteen hours to enjoy the high life, and some galoot wants to talk business at you because this is a golden opportunity in the pop business book he's been reading.

Networking is useful, and useful to both parties. But IMO, once you've sort of sniffed each other out and established where the other wants to go in the next few hours, if either one is indicating that a good book or a movie or a nap is on the agenda, then that's the end of useful networking time. Anything further is counterproductive. Show that you are listening and comply.

A relationship - any relationship - is a two way street. Often enough, both players want to play on, and if they both want to talk business or cars or football together, that's fine, at least until the champagne kicks in and they find themselves holding hands in the amenities.

And that's okay too.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I've actually been told to avoid discussion if work matters on flights, particularly any tendering or confidential matters.

Personally I think that's cough but given how many people in the same industry I work in now do FIFO I guess the odds are more than remote.

But I'm always happy to talk generally about subject matters but not specifically..

Having someone who engages conversation always makes a trip more pleasant.

 

[simongr]

I have only once networked whilst traveling. I am always careful to not mention who I work for. As a big corporate and not being in a position of influence in terms of sales I am unlikely to actually generate new revenue and the alternative will be hours of complaints about my industry and customer service.

The one time I did network was in the SYD F lounge and I got chatting to a guy running a division of an Indian state bank who was looking for contacts in my industry - I emailed the CEO of our Indian business with his details. This was the absolute exception to the rule.

 

[Shane B]

Lol just the thought of doing this is amusing to me

Agree! The thought of somebody flogging Amway also popped into my head.

 

[harvyk]

Very tough call, if not done with a great degree of skill you can say goodbye to any current or future business deals with the pax and 10 of his mates.

Just be because someone comments on your quicky business name does not mean they want the full history.

I might consider "networking" with someone on the ground at either end of the flight,but in the air such talk would be a no go IMHO.