Comment: Stay in with the inn crowd

I was going to consider customer relationship management systems this week, but then I went to a couple of after-work meetings. And suddenly, it struck me that the subject of beer was more important.

During the meetings, I discovered that a publishing magnate of my acquaintance is giving up his magazine empire to work for a company in the industry he covers. For me, the interesting thing is not that he's almost certain to discover that their respect for him will fade away in weeks once he's given up the media podium. No, the important thing is that I learned the news while drinking beer with a mutual acquaintance. There should have been a couple of dozen people there, but only two of us showed up.

A year ago, I had a full-time job. Now I'm working as a freelance, mostly from home. The result is that my beer consumption has gone way down. No more "which pub shall we go to for lunch?" discussions in the office.

Yes, of course I can keep in touch. If I need to say something, I use the phone, or check out Instant Messenger. But how do I know which contact needs to say something to me? I don't, is the answer.

The trouble with offices that are virtual, is that you don't get the same chance to network. And networking involves the things you didn't know were important.

The saddest part is that, a year ago, if we'd organised a meeting in a pub, a dozen or more people would show up. Today, only two or three are likely to appear, because life is tough and money is short.

That is daft. When times are tough is exactly when we need our unofficial meetings, to find out things we didn't know we didn't know. Get out more; get more beer in! You might kick-start an industry revival. And invite me along, will you?

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