A substantial part of networking is the exchange of ideas.

Frequently the people we build networking relationships with become sounding boards for our ideas. These exchanges are one of the many valuable results of our networking efforts.

Unfortunately I've seen too many instances where one party brings up an idea looking for ideas or suggestions for improvement and instead is met with nothing but dissent.

My friend Dave Shaw and I were talking the other day as we worked together on the 'NetworkInAustin Gives' project with the Capital Area Food Bank. He shared with me his firm's policy of "Eat it or Beat it." They apply this policy to all of their ideas. If you don't like an idea you can't just attack it or dismiss it, you must come up with something better (Beat it). If you can't come up with something better then the original idea is what will be used (Eat it).

I absolutely love this idea! Rather than critiquing others ideas, if you don't like it come up with something better. Otherwise the original idea must not have been such a bad one after all if it couldn't be easily bested.

Dave's "Eat it or Beat it" policy keeps everything moving forward. Progress is so much better than being stuck arguing about a particular decision.

What can you improve today?

Happy Networking!

Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com