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HOW TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN YOUR NETWORK WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED AS COMMUNICATION SHIFTS ONLINE BY H A N N A H M C C L E L L A N | P H O T O G R A P H Y BY J O H N M I C H A E L S I M P S O N
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rthur Rogers very seldom conducted business virtually prior to last March. Rogers, a commercial real estate developer, is the owner of Eno Ventures, which specializes in the adaptive reuse of old properties. “What’s worked so well for me over the years is I typically get my tenants through networking, just by being out in the community and talking to people,” Rogers said. “Networking for me is really important – I just greatly prefer to do it in person.” In-person meetings are, of course, limited these days, due to gathering limits imposed to help slow the spread of COVID-19. With the exception
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of Rotary Club of Durham’s after-hours meetings, Rogers said his networking is almost entirely online. “So this has been quite a bit different for me,” he said. Many people, like Rogers, had to figure out new ways to build their networks and maintain professional relationships as businesses have adapted to a virtual COVID-19 landscape. The distribution of vaccines gives hope that some sense of normalcy could return soon, but businesspeople are also recognizing the benefits of online networking: more opportunities, increased access for people with disabilities and higher meeting attendance. “I’m glad that this is not a permanent way of doing business, because I really enjoy talking with people and finding tenants that way,” Rogers said. “I look forward to getting back
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to face-to-face meetings, but there’s definitely going to be a place for Zoom meetings going forward.”
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ogers said he misses meeting in person, but that virtual meetings have also removed barriers to conducting business. He recently began work on a project in Wilson, North Carolina, which would normally require over a one-hour drive. Now all he has to do is join a conference call or Zoom meeting. Rogers also noticed increased attendance among most of the organizations he belongs to. “You’re not getting the inperson experience, but in a way, you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck because
Larry Crane and Elisabeth Wiener of the Rotary Club of Durham catch up at a socially distanced happy hour held at new downtown restaurant Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar.