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A little over 12 years ago, filled with excitement, I boarded a plane to Orlando for my very first IT conference. It was a wild mix of exhilaration and sheer overwhelm as I tried to capture every nugget of knowledge I could over three jam-packed days. Day sessions were a blur of speakers, wired on coffee, firing their laser pointers at fast-moving slides, while the evenings were spent picking up the drink tabs of those same speakers at the hotel bar and diving deep into the nitty-gritty. But my biggest “aha” moment? It wasn’t in a conference room—it was during a late-night trek to a burger joint in pitch darkness with another IT business owner. He taught me something I immediately applied to my business upon my return and still benefit from today. Looking back at the 30+ conferences I’ve attended since, every lightbulb moment I can think of came from sitting down and chatting with a peer. I continue to stay in touch with a bunch of IT business owner friends I’ve made, along with participating in monthly peer network calls and quarterly peer bootcamps. Here are my top 3 reasons why networking with your peers can be an absolute game-changer:
Wisdom
Once, at a conference lunch, I was passionately explaining all the services we offer to a new peer, only to see him looking at me with confusion. His three-word response—“you have to simplify”—was probably the best (and most humbling) lesson I took home from the entire event. A few years later, I had the chance to return the favor by suggesting another peer simplify their approach—they seemed stuck where I was just a few years back. These moments of knowledge sharing are where the real magic happens. It’s not just about sitting through sessions while fighting back internal conversations; it’s those spontaneous exchanges where a simple insight or story can totally change your perspective. When you engage with peers, you’re opening yourself up to fresh ideas, practical advice, and the kind of tips that make you think, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Whether you’re the one handing out advice or collecting it like free swag, these aha moments are true nuggets of gold—and as a bonus, they are almost always served with a generous side of laughs.
Collaboration
My team and I strive to be the single point of contact for all things tech for our clients, but as common wisdom suggests, it’s not possible to be the best at everything. A few years back at a local event, I met another business owner with a strong cabling and surveillance team—and that was the start of a beautiful partnership. Over the years, they’ve leaned on us for advanced support with Google services and Apple devices, while we’ve turned to them to handle all things cabling and surveillance. Collaboration like this is more than just a convenience—it’s a strategic advantage. By partnering with others who specialize in areas we might not, we can offer clients a broader range of services without compromising on quality. It’s about building a network of trusted experts who can step in when needed, ensuring that no matter what challenge comes up, we’ve got it covered.
Support
We all seek to be heard and understood, and nothing quite compares to sitting down with a fellow business owner who’s in the trenches fighting the same battles. A few years back, I remember grabbing a drink with a peer after being turned down by a couple of big prospects. There I was, questioning my ability to take my team to the next level, feeling like I’d just been hit by a bus. Yet, just a few hours of bouncing my self-doubts off him turned my defeated mindset into one that was re-energized by his words of support and encouragement. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of how important it is to have a network of peers who not only understand your struggles but can also give you that much-needed pep talk when you’re feeling down.
Had an inspiring ‘aha’ moment with a peer that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it!
– Burak Sarac, Team Lead
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