From Dining Tables to Fitness Studios: A CEO's New Approach to Networking

Launching 73 Strings during the pandemic was a unique experience. It wasn't until 2022 that I started having face-to-face meetings with potential clients and associates. Back then, I balanced my time between France and destinations like London, New York, and San Francisco, flying in for brief visits.

These visits were short, necessitating creative ways to maximize my time with clients. Being an avid morning exerciser, whether it be a fitness class, gym session, or a run, I observed that many of my clients shared similar interests. This led me, during one 2022 trip, to suggest a morning run in Central Park instead of the traditional drink meeting, which yielded delightful results and a blossoming friendship.

Fitness Became a Networking Catalyst

Since that pivotal run, I began consistently inviting clients to join me for runs or to attend fitness classes at places like OrangeTheory or Barry's Bootcamp during my business travels. These fitness-oriented meetups extended to conferences, where I'd propose a workout before events kicked off. Teaming up with members of my team for exercise sessions has also become a norm, garnering positive reactions and proving to be an effective, enjoyable method for fostering conversations and relationships.

Cultural Variations in Fitness Enthusiasm

Coming from France, the conventional way to nurture client relationships was primarily through 'wining and dining.' While that still captures the bulk of my interactions, those early morning gym meetings have received enthusiastic feedback. The dual approach benefits both personal and professional vitality: indulging in good food and wine at night, followed by energizing workouts in the morning.

While cuisine still reigns supreme in France, in the U.S., the trend towards fitness-focused networking is growing rapidly. This evolving trend could see my networking activities split evenly between dining and fitness in the near future. This is partly due to the distinct fitness culture in the U.S. and U.K. compared to France.

A Voluntary Approach to Fitness Networking

Although plenty of clients and colleagues are eager to participate, I never impose fitness sessions on anyone uncomfortable with the idea. In my team, participation in workouts is voluntary, emphasizing personal choice. I gauge individual interest through casual inquiries before extending workout invitations.

Engaging in fitness can reveal surprising aspects of people. For instance, a seemingly average fitness enthusiast might actually be a seasoned marathon runner. I even recruited our chief of staff, whom I met at a Paris gym. Initially, we focused on workouts, and later discussions revealed his professional prowess, leading to his hiring.

The merging of fitness and networking was serendipitous but has proven remarkably efficient, streamlining the process of building connections while staying fit.