I have attended a forum discussion last week, and there were about 40 of us, discussing a topic about developing a mobile app to support parents to be. Before we start, there was this gentlemen who stood up and said “this is the perfect time to do networking” and walked around to pass his name cards to everyone (and collected ours) and got back to his seat there after. And I was like “what???”
As a past president of a chapter in a very reputable networking organisation, I became very particular when I attend networking events, not just the way i network but also in observing how others did theirs. Let me share some insight tips in networking so you won’t be seen awkward when you network.
- First and foremost, chose the event thats relevant to you. Do not show face for the sake of showing face. I’ve seen fiends who show up almost in every events as he always believe in meeting “new friends”. Well, if your purpose of networking is just to make new friends, please go ahead, but as an entrepreneur, you need to be connected to the relevant network and you are using your productive hours to do it, therefore you need to have the correct purpose in mind. Choosing the right event doesn’t mean you are going to an event where you will hunt your potential customers. A right event simply means an event where you can be connected to the right network which ultimately improve your business performance as well as an individual.
- Attend an event with an open mind, do not prejudge the people you meet. I’ve come across many entrepreneurs who attend events as they want to meet certain VIP(s), so whoever around them are not of their interest. This happened to me in one of the event I attended a year ago, a gentlemen sat next to me asked “what do you do?”, I replied that I’m a Business Consultant and he responded with “I see. Excuse me, I’ve a friend at the other side, nice to meet you” and left me speechless. Ya I felt embarrassed, but at the same time, I think that gentlemen probably has missed a golden opportunity to know a great guy (that could make me feel better). Prejudging the people you meet simply means the ignorance of potential network that maybe significant to you, maybe not now, but future; maybe not directly relevant, but indirectly.
- Dress appropriately. Not overdressed nor underdressed. There are events that are not very formal, so smart casual is good enough. The attitude and approach in your networking skill is far more important that what you dressed, so keep it simple and appropriate will do.
- Exchanging name cards. I personally very particular about this and I can name a few that’s really pissed me:
- receive my name card and keep in the pocket/bag without reading it;
- passing a stack of name cards to me and ask me to pass it on to people near me;
- give me a name card and start talking about what they do and what they sell;
- intercept when we are in a chat, just want me to take his/her card and hear him/her out;
- asking me to login to Facebook and like their page……..
- Attitude in networking. No one likes to be approached by a salesman during a networking event, they feel uncomfortable when you keep talking about what you do and what you sell. Some good attitude which I think will make you a nice person to mingle when you attend a networking event are:
- Read through every details in the name card you received, pronounce his/her name to make sure you won’t make a fool on his/her name. Especially when you network with people from different part of the world, I’m sure you know what I meant.
- Listen before you speak. Let him/her tells you what he/her does, seek clarification and show interest before you jump into your full company presentation (please don’t do company presentation….).
- Have a good ice breaking. I’m sure you come across people who started a conversation by asking “what do you think about the economy of next year?”. And to be honest, that conversation will go months if we really wanna discuss (or debate), so please don’t start this type of conversation in a networking event. Instead, be observant when you network, a great networker that I met was a gentlemen who asked whether did I go gym very often, and I was quite surprised as I wasn’t look like a muscular guy and why would he said so, and he told me that he noticed blisters on my palm when he shakes my hand, isn’t that good to start a conversation?
Knowing someone in an event doesn’t mean you become friends by default, instead is just the beginning of relationship building. Build the relationship by understanding each others instead of immediately making an appointment to do a company/product  presentation in their office. Relationship building is a long term process, please build it with patient.
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