Remember the seventies and eighties when overweight red nosed business men (more so than ladies) took long boozy lunches to discuss “business”? Deals were done and relationships were formed.

These days it’s all about networking breakfasts and meeting over coffee. Man, I was born 20 years too late.

The problem is this. In these forced situations where, let’s face it, everyone is basically just trying to sell to each other, I often find that people try too hard and end up being a little uptight.

Perhaps there is a need for a networking event where you have to turn up slightly pissed so you are a little relaxed?

Some of the best events this year I’ve been to have been corporate days at rugby and horse racing, where you get to relax, no one is trying to overtly sell anything and relationships can be formed and developed.

In a world where people buy people we surely need environments to network that are as natural as possible. I mean, even by calling an event a ‘networking event’ strips away a layer of being natural in itself. It’s al become very prescriptive.

Call me old fashioned but I prefer natural. I like to like a person before I buy from them and I need to understand the product or service away from a sales pitch.

Anyone fancy a bloody long boozy lunch?