“Small talk” is not about YOU finding something interesting to say; it's about getting the other person talking and you being interested in what THEY have to say.
In the early 2000s, a group of researchers published their findings from a 30,000-person, multi-year study on income and generosity. This is what they found ... drum roll, please: As someone makes more money, they give more money to charitable causes.
Networking is imperative to success is any business or industry, including restoration and remediation. Where a debate ensues is with whom you should be networking.