Networking Circles isn't the only place I network. These are other platforms I personally value and am a part of — if one of them fits your goals better, I'd rather point you there than keep you somewhere that doesn't serve you.
Currently the networking platform I value most. It is led by Shweta Sharma, a fabulous community builder, along with her husband, KC.
BLL offers two levels of membership. The entry-level option is called the Primary Membership, which is available at a very reasonable annual fee. It provides a practical starting point for business owners who want to participate in BLL's networking activities and develop meaningful relationships within India.
The Global Membership is designed for businesses seeking opportunities beyond India. It provides access to meetings and connections with people in international markets. If your business has global potential, requires international relationships, or involves travelling abroad to explore opportunities, BLL's Global Membership is certainly worth considering. The latest membership details are available on the BLL website.
I completed my first year with BLL and recently renewed my membership for another three years. What makes BLL particularly valuable to me is the quality of its offline activities, especially the industrial visits organised by Shweta. These visits give members the rare opportunity to meet successful manufacturers and business owners, understand how their companies operate, ask questions, and gain insights that would otherwise be difficult to access.
Offline community building is Shweta's real strength. She creates experiences at a scale and quality that I could not replicate myself, and I am genuinely grateful for what she brings to the community.
Although Shweta and I run separate networking platforms, there is strong mutual trust and respect between us. I genuinely want to support and promote BLL because I have personally experienced the value it creates for business owners.
Led by Yvonne Lobo, who is based in Dubai and has an excellent network of contacts and business connections.
Yvonne once invited me to conduct a presentation on LinkedIn for her community. The session attracted a strong audience interested in improving their LinkedIn profiles and using the platform to connect with the right target audience.
One of the attendees found the session valuable and subsequently connected with me. After three or four Zoom meetings, he asked me for a proposal to help grow his business using LinkedIn and AI. That relationship turned into an excellent consulting engagement, and we are now in the third month of working together on a very good retainer.
My experience is a strong example of the quality of Yvonne's network. I value the meaningful connections and genuine business opportunities that can emerge through her community.
I have been part of H2O for almost a year. It is led by Veena Soni, whom I genuinely like and respect as a person.
Veena sincerely wants to help people through networking and believes in giving back. She has also trusted me with helping promote H2O and supporting its online Zoom meetings. I now help set up and manage parts of these sessions, taking care of responsibilities that previously required a considerable amount of her time.
Our relationship is collaborative and mutually supportive. I appreciate the trust she places in me, and I value her genuine commitment to helping people connect and grow.
The newest platform in my networking journey. I joined only a couple of months ago, so I am still getting to know the members and understanding the community.
As I usually do when entering a new network, I have started building relationships and referring people wherever I see relevant business opportunities. Several members have already appreciated this approach.
However, I still consider myself a newcomer to IBG, so it is too early for me to offer a detailed assessment. I am gradually warming up, making new connections, and allowing my experience with the platform to develop naturally.
Reach out to whoever fits your business best — every one of these is run by people I trust.