Why You Should Never Turn Down a Meeting

Why Saying Yes to a 1-2-1 After Business Networking Could Lead to an Opportunity You Never Expected

You’ve just finished a business networking meeting.

You’ve spoken about your business, listened to the other attendees, exchanged a few details and perhaps made some useful new connections. As people begin to leave, another attendee approaches you and asks:

“Would you like to arrange a 1-2-1?”

There’s just one problem.

You can’t immediately see why.

They work in a completely different industry. Their customers don’t appear to be your customers. You don’t need their services, and as far as you can tell, they don’t need yours. You may not even feel you have much in common personally.

Your diary is already busy, so you’re tempted to politely decline.

But should you?

At Simply Business Club, we believe some of the greatest value in business networking comes from getting to know the people behind the businesses. SBC’s relationship-led approach focuses on meaningful conversations, trust and long-term professional relationships rather than simply chasing immediate sales. 

That is precisely why you should think very carefully before turning down that 1-2-1.

Because the person asking for the meeting doesn’t necessarily need to become your customer for that conversation to become valuable.

“But We Have Nothing in Common”

That’s Exactly Why the Meeting Could Be Interesting

Imagine you’re a commercial photographer and the person asking for a 1-2-1 owns a plumbing business.

At first glance, there may not seem to be an obvious connection.

You don’t need a plumber.

They don’t currently need photography.

So what’s the point in spending half an hour or an hour talking?

Quite a lot, potentially.

The plumber might work with dozens of property developers, estate agents, landlords and construction companies – precisely the businesses that could need commercial photography.

You might regularly work with hotels, restaurants, offices and commercial property owners – all businesses that could eventually need a plumber.

Neither of you could possibly discover those connections simply by looking at the other’s job title.

You need to talk.

A 1-2-1 gives you the opportunity to discover what’s behind the business card.

A Networking Meeting Is the Introduction, Not the Entire Relationship

One of the easiest mistakes to make in networking is assuming that meeting somebody once means you now know enough about them.

You probably don’t.

During a typical networking meeting, even when there is plenty of opportunity for conversation, you’re still sharing the available time with everyone else.

You might learn someone’s name, company and main service, but that’s only the surface.

A 1-2-1 allows you to go considerably deeper.

You can discover how their business started, what services they provide, the geographical areas they cover, the industries they work with, the challenges they face and the customers they particularly want to meet.

They get the same opportunity to learn about you.

Simply Business Club’s networking format deliberately gives attendees more opportunity to discuss their businesses, ask questions and exchange feedback than a traditional short elevator pitch. A 1-2-1 can take that process considerably further. 

The networking meeting introduces you.

The 1-2-1 helps you understand each other.

Stop Asking “Can I Sell to This Person?”

Ask “Who Could This Person Connect Me With?”

This is perhaps the biggest mindset change required to get more from professional networking.

When somebody asks for a meeting, don’t immediately evaluate them according to whether they’re likely to buy from you.

Instead of asking:

“Could this person become a customer?”

Ask:

“Who does this person know?”

And then go one step further:

“Who do I know who could help them?”

Every person you meet has a network of their own.

They have customers, suppliers, former colleagues, friends, business associates, professional advisers, social media connections and people they’ve met through other networking groups.

You have exactly the same.

The potential value of a 1-2-1 therefore isn’t limited to the two people sitting around the table.

You’re effectively introducing two networks to one another.

That changes the calculation completely.

Their Customers Might Be Your Customers

You might have absolutely no need for the other person’s service.

But what about their customers?

Imagine you’re an accountant meeting an electrician.

There might not initially appear to be much crossover between the two businesses.

But the electrician could work with dozens of SMEs, property companies, landlords and growing businesses.

Those organisations need accountants.

Likewise, the accountant could advise dozens or even hundreds of businesses that occupy commercial premises.

Those companies need electricians.

Suddenly, the businesses aren’t quite as unrelated as they first appeared.

This is one reason Simply Business Club doesn’t operate industry lockouts. Its stated approach is based on collaboration and giving attendees choice rather than assuming businesses should automatically be separated because of their sector. 

Sometimes the most interesting opportunities exist between industries rather than within them.

Their Suppliers Could Become Your Contacts

Now think in the opposite direction.

It’s not only someone’s customers who might be useful contacts.

What about their suppliers?

Every business has a supply chain of some description.

An events company might know venues, photographers, printers, caterers, entertainers, marketing agencies and hotels.

A construction company might know architects, surveyors, developers, electricians, plumbers, accountants, health and safety consultants and property professionals.

A marketing company might work with web developers, photographers, videographers, printers, copywriters and business consultants.

Once you begin discussing those relationships during a 1-2-1, potential connections can appear that would never have been obvious during your original networking meeting.

You Don’t Know Their Personal Network Either

Business networking has a habit of making us think only about people’s professional contacts.

But people have lives outside work.

The person sitting opposite you has friends, relatives, neighbours, former colleagues, sports club connections and countless other relationships.

Perhaps you’re looking for an introduction to a particular company.

You mention it during your 1-2-1.

The person responds:

“My brother works there.”

That one sentence could completely change the value of the meeting.

You couldn’t have predicted it beforehand.

That’s the point.

When you decline a 1-2-1 because you can’t see an obvious business connection, you’re making a decision based only on the information you already have.

The purpose of the meeting is to discover the information you don’t have.

You Might Discover a Service You Didn’t Know They Offered

Job titles and company descriptions can be surprisingly misleading.

You think you know what somebody does.

Then you sit down with them properly and discover they provide three other services you’ve never heard them mention.

Perhaps you know someone as a photographer but discover they also produce video.

You think somebody is an accountant and learn they provide business planning support.

You know a company for one particular trade but discover it has a commercial division perfectly suited to one of your customers.

If you had declined the meeting because you thought you already understood the business, you’d never have discovered it.

This is why regular conversation is so valuable within networking. SBC specifically promotes dialogue and engagement as important parts of developing a clearer understanding of other businesses. Simply Business Club

You Might Have More in Common Than You Think

There’s another possibility.

Forget business for a moment.

You might actually like each other.

You may discover you support the same football club, play the same sport, have children of similar ages, enjoy travelling to the same places or share an interest completely unrelated to work.

Why does that matter?

Because networking involves human beings.

People naturally remember people they enjoy speaking to.

Personal conversations can help relationships become more comfortable and authentic, and that familiarity can make it easier to remain in contact.

At Simply Business Club, we regularly talk about the importance of relationship networking because strong professional relationships are often built through genuine human connection rather than rushed sales conversations.

The person whose business initially seemed completely irrelevant could become someone you genuinely enjoy knowing.

And that relationship could eventually become extremely valuable to both of you.

A 1-2-1 Gives You Time to Explain What You Really Do

There’s another side to this.

Perhaps they don’t understand your business properly either.

They heard your introduction at the networking meeting and formed a broad impression of what you do.

But do they know your full range of services?

Do they understand your ideal customer?

Do they know which geographical areas you cover?

Do they know what makes a particularly good referral for you?

Do they know about the unusual service you only occasionally mention during networking?

Probably not.

A 1-2-1 gives you the opportunity to fill in those gaps.

You don’t need to turn the meeting into an hour-long sales presentation. Instead, have a genuine conversation about your business and give the other person enough information to recognise opportunities when they arise.

Because they can’t recommend you effectively if they don’t understand you.

You Can Find Out Who They Want to Meet

A successful 1-2-1 shouldn’t be entirely about explaining your own business.

Ask about theirs.

One of the most useful questions you can ask is:

“Who would be a really good introduction for you?”

Now listen carefully.

They might describe a particular industry, type of company, decision-maker or even name a specific organisation.

And something may click.

“I know someone there.”

That’s networking working exactly as it should.

Even if there is absolutely no possibility of the two of you buying from one another, you may still be able to create value by opening your respective networks.

Simply Business Club’s wider philosophy emphasises collaboration, shared knowledge and mutual support as routes to stronger business relationships and opportunities.

You Might Discover an Opportunity to Collaborate

Two apparently unrelated businesses can sometimes create something useful together.

Perhaps you serve the same type of customers from completely different directions.

Maybe your services complement one another.

You could jointly host an event, share useful content, collaborate on a project or introduce your respective audiences to one another.

You may even discover that combining your expertise allows you to pursue an opportunity neither business could have tackled independently.

You wouldn’t necessarily identify any of this during a quick introduction at a networking meeting.

Sometimes it takes twenty minutes of conversation before someone says:

“Actually, I’ve just thought of something…”

Those can be very valuable words.

You Could Learn Something

Not every successful 1-2-1 needs to produce a referral.

You might simply learn something useful.

The person you’re meeting may have been running a business for twenty years.

They may have experience recruiting employees, moving premises, dealing with difficult customers, adopting new technology, managing rapid growth or surviving challenging trading conditions.

They might recommend software, an event, a supplier or a different way of approaching a problem.

Networking gives you access to an enormous collective pool of business experience.

SBC identifies knowledge sharing and learning as important benefits of networking, allowing professionals to exchange insights, experiences and useful information. 

A conversation doesn’t have to generate a sale to have value.

Sometimes a useful piece of advice is worth considerably more.

They Might Remember You Six Months Later

This is where the long-term value of networking becomes particularly important.

Your 1-2-1 takes place.

You have a good conversation.

Nothing happens.

No sale.

No referral.

No immediate opportunity.

Was the meeting a waste of time?

Absolutely not.

Six months later, the other person could be speaking to one of their customers who says:

“We’re actually looking for someone who can help us with…”

And they think of you.

Why?

Because they spent time getting to know you.

They understand what you do.

They remember the conversation.

They have greater confidence introducing you because you’re no longer simply a name they once heard during a networking meeting.

SBC’s relationship-networking guidance emphasises precisely this point: some of the strongest opportunities emerge later as familiarity and trust develop through continued interaction. 

The return from your 1-2-1 doesn’t have to arrive during the meeting.

You Might Remember Them Six Months Later Too

Of course, the same principle works in reverse.

Several months after your 1-2-1, a customer could ask:

“Do you know anyone who does…?”

Suddenly, you remember that conversation.

Because you took the time to understand the other person’s business, you know exactly what they do and whether they might be suitable.

That’s when your network starts becoming genuinely useful.

You stop thinking of people simply as names and job titles.

Instead, you begin thinking:

“I know someone who could help with that.”

That is one of the most valuable stages in developing a strong professional network.

1-2-1s Build Trust

Would you recommend somebody after hearing them speak for three minutes?

Possibly.

Would you feel more comfortable recommending them after spending an hour talking to them and learning more about their business?

Probably.

Referrals involve trust.

When you introduce one of your customers or contacts to another business, your own reputation becomes part of that introduction.

That’s why people naturally want to know more about somebody before recommending them.

A 1-2-1 provides an opportunity to build that confidence.

You can learn how the person approaches their work, what matters to them, what experience they have and how they communicate.

Likewise, they learn those things about you.

Trust doesn’t appear instantly, but conversation helps create the conditions in which it can develop. Relationship-building and trust are central themes within Simply Business Club’s own approach to networking.

“I’m Too Busy” Can Become an Expensive Mindset

Time matters.

Nobody is suggesting you should fill every working day with coffee meetings and never actually do any work.

But it’s worth considering how quickly we reject conversations because we can’t see an immediate return.

If somebody asks for a 1-2-1 after a networking meeting, they’re effectively saying:

“I’d like to know more about you and your business.”

That’s worth something.

Perhaps the meeting lasts thirty minutes.

What is the potential upside?

A new contact.

A referral.

A customer.

A supplier.

A collaborator.

A useful introduction.

A piece of advice.

A future opportunity.

Or simply a stronger relationship with somebody within your business community.

The value of networking isn’t always visible in advance. SBC makes a similar point when discussing the value of a networking seat: a conversation today can eventually lead to referrals and long-term customers much later.

Sometimes you need to invest the time before you can discover the opportunity.

Don’t Judge the Value of Someone Too Quickly

Perhaps this is the most important lesson of all.

Be careful about deciding:

“There’s nothing this person can do for me.”

Firstly, you don’t know that yet.

Secondly, networking shouldn’t be based solely on what somebody can do for you.

Perhaps you can do something for them.

You might make an introduction that leads to their biggest customer of the year.

You may give them some advice that solves a problem.

You could recommend their business to someone.

What happens then?

They remember you.

You’ve demonstrated generosity.

You’ve strengthened the relationship.

And one day they may have the opportunity to return the favour.

This doesn’t mean helping people simply because you expect repayment. It means recognising that strong networking communities work best when people actively look for ways to support one another.

That’s also why SBC places collaboration at the centre of its networking model rather than treating every interaction as a competition for immediate business. 

How to Make a Networking 1-2-1 Worthwhile

You don’t need a complicated agenda.

Start by getting to know each other.

Ask about their business, how it started, what they enjoy doing and the customers they typically work with. Find out about the services they provide and ask whether there are particular areas of the business they’d like to grow.

Then discuss your own business in the same way.

Talk about your ideal customers and the introductions that would be particularly valuable. Share examples that make it easier for the other person to understand what a good opportunity looks like for you.

Ask who they would like to meet.

Discuss whether you have any useful contacts in common.

And don’t be afraid to talk about things outside work too.

You’re not conducting a formal interview.

You’re building a relationship.

Don’t Finish the 1-2-1 and Forget About It

The same rule that applies to networking meetings applies to 1-2-1s.

Follow up.

If you promised an introduction, make it.

If you mentioned a useful website, send the link.

If they recommended something, investigate it.

Connect with them online if appropriate.

And when you subsequently encounter an opportunity that could benefit them, remember the conversation and get back in touch.

The 1-2-1 isn’t necessarily the conclusion of the relationship.

Ideally, it’s another step in developing it.

Simply Business Club: Making Time for Better Business Relationships

At Simply Business Club, we believe successful networking begins with conversations that allow people to understand the businesses and individuals around them.

Our networking meetings bring together business owners and professionals in an environment designed around conversation, collaboration and mutual support. SBC offers both face-to-face and online networking, and its format is intended to give attendees time to discuss what they do rather than relying exclusively on short sales pitches.

But the conversation doesn’t have to finish when the meeting does.

Arranging 1-2-1s with the people you meet can help you discover much more about their business, their experience, their contacts and the opportunities you may be able to create for one another.

The person who initially appears to have absolutely nothing in common with you could turn out to know your next customer.

They could introduce you to a valuable supplier.

They might become a collaborator.

They may recommend you several months from now.

Or you could be the person who creates an important opportunity for them.

You’ll never know unless you have the conversation.

So Say Yes to the 1-2-1!

The next time somebody approaches you after a business networking meeting and asks whether you’d like to arrange a 1-2-1, don’t make your decision based solely on whether you can immediately see an obvious connection.

That’s precisely the point of having the meeting.

You don’t yet know enough about each other.

You don’t know all their customers.

You don’t know their suppliers.

You don’t know their professional contacts.

You don’t know their personal network.

You don’t know every service they offer.

You don’t know who they’re trying to meet.

And you certainly don’t know what opportunities could emerge six months or a year from now.

Business networking is at its strongest when we stop judging every conversation according to its immediate sales potential and start recognising the value of relationships.

So, if another networker asks:

“Fancy a 1-2-1?”

Whenever reasonably possible, say yes.

Have the coffee.

Make the call.

Arrange the Zoom.

Start the conversation.

Because sometimes the person you thought you had nothing in common with turns out to be one of the most valuable people in your network.

We at SBC offer Face-to-Face or Online Business Networking meetings every week.

At Simply Business Club, we believe productive networking begins with creating the right environment for genuine business conversations. Our meetings give business owners and professionals the chance to introduce themselves, exchange knowledge and find out more about the people behind the companies they meet. Rather than measuring every conversation by whether it produces an immediate sale, we encourage attendees to take the time to build connections that can become stronger and more useful through regular contact.

Becoming a familiar face within a networking community can also make it easier for other people to remember your business when an opportunity arises. Each meeting provides another chance to explain what you do, highlight different products or services and give examples of the customers you particularly enjoy working with. As other networkers develop a deeper understanding of your business, they are better placed to recognise potential referrals and introductions. The same process works in reverse, helping you learn which members of your network you could potentially recommend, collaborate with or introduce to others.

Networking shouldn’t feel like a competition to see who can deliver the most impressive sales pitch. Simply Business Club encourages a relaxed and conversational style where people can participate without feeling they need to perform. Asking questions, joining discussions and showing a genuine interest in other businesses can be just as valuable as talking about your own. This makes our meetings suitable for experienced networkers as well as people attending a business networking event for the first time.

The range of businesses represented within a professional network can be one of its greatest strengths. People from different sectors bring different contacts, skills, knowledge and experiences to the conversation. The person whose business initially appears to have very little connection with yours could know your ideal customer, have experience of a challenge you’re currently facing or introduce you to someone who could become an important contact. Remaining open to conversations outside your usual professional circle can therefore reveal opportunities that aren’t immediately obvious.

Ultimately, the real value of business networking is rarely confined to what happens during the meeting itself. Conversations can continue through 1-2-1 meetings, introductions, recommendations and future networking events, giving people more opportunities to understand and support one another. By creating a community where members are encouraged to stay connected and look beyond immediate transactions, Simply Business Club helps professional relationships develop naturally – and those relationships can lead to referrals, collaborations and business opportunities long after the original introduction.

Contact the team at SBC and say yes to our business networking group.