Taking Stock Of Your Opportunities!

In the past BizNet OnLine Magazine has looked at a lot of networking organizations. One we have not looked at not only lets you network, but if you’re lucky you may even get an extra return on your investment.

BizNet takes a look at networking at an Investment Group/Club.

This article is based on an Investment group that meets once a month in the Los Angeles Area.

It was started about four months ago. The individuals involved in starting it up have been involved in past investment groups.

The basics of this group are:

The investment is $50.00 per month. There are about 40 members and the group will top out at 50.

Now from a networking point of view, $50.00 is on the high side for a networking event; however, with an Investment Group your $50.00 is an investment, not a "lost" fee. So, with a little luck at the end of the year, you can get back that money. Maybe more, maybe less. That’s the idea of an investment group, to make money (this group is off to a great start at about a 30% return to date). But with a group of 40 to 50 individuals there are obvious networking opportunities.

Networking in an investment group is a lot different than networking in a more conventional networking group. The most obvious is that the involvement of money increases the involvement of emotions and personalities. So pick your group very carefully. This is not the place to find yourself in a personality clash.

In a traditional networking group, if a member business starts to screw up, they can be removed. In an investment group members are "vested"; to be removed you must be bought out.

In a traditional networking group, business networking is the main focus. In a group like this, a lot of networking goes on (especially as members get to know each other) but it is not the main focus of the group.

In this "subject" group, all potential members have it made clear to them that having fun and learning are the main focus. If they are not prepared for a fun group, willing to take chances, and to turn over stocks rapidly, then they should not be in the room.

When networking in any investment group, you not only need to be good at doing a good job, but if a problem comes up, you need to resolve it very quickly and to the satisfaction of the other group members. Remember, in an investment group you’re playing with each other’s money. Personality problems and clashes can get nasty. So pick the members of your investment group very carefully. Make sure the room is full of like-minded professionals.

Oh, and don’t forget to track your stocks on BizNet Online Magazine’s own stock section!

So look for a Network Connection chapter near you, or contact BizNet about starting one.


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Last modified: November 08, 2002