I wanted to talk a bit more about what you should actually do at business networking events. Events vary in their formality and you get more chance to talk to people at some than at others. Books on networking always talk about going to a networking event with a plan as to who you want to talk to. If you read my previous article you may remember that we believe that networking is about connecting with as many people as you can to varying degrees so we don’t completely subscribe to the ‘go with and stick to a plan’ thing!
Having said that if you have limited time to talk to people, focusing the time you spend can be helpful. So how do you get more focused? Well this all depends on the type of event you are attending.
If it is a formal event with 60 second elevator pitches then you just need to make sure that you listen to those properly and make a note of which of the speakers you want to make a beeline for afterwards, before they leave!
Some event hosts provide a list of delegates, which you can use to pin point those people that you are most interested in talking to. You could ask the host for some recommendations of who they think you should be talking to. You can also ask the delegates; once you have swapped information about your businesses, your next question could be something like, “who else do you know here that you think I should talk to?”
Once you have spoken to say five people and listened well you can then start making recommendations about who people should move onto speak to.
If you are in or near Shepway, we look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. Check out our website for details http://www.counterpointnetworking.co.uk
Feel the need to add that second source of income or your favorite not-for-profit to your elevator speech? Here are five excellent reasons to resist the temptation to do so.
1. You will get more business if you focus on one thing. People have a limited ability to store and process information. If you give them too much to think about, they will become confused. Confusion leads to either anger or indifference. You want neither. Focus on your core.
2. You will build better relationships. When people are interested in the main thing you do, you will forge stronger, longer lasting relationships. People do business with people they know, like and trust and people want to know people who are consistent.
3. You will be seen as a specialist. We want to deal with professionals who know their stuff. No one has time for someone who dabbles in this and that. While we seek the advise of dabblers, when we need products and services we go to the experts.
4. You will develop and demonstrate personal integrity. If you say that you are with PDQ Widgets but you are also a member of the Left-handed Paper Hangers Association, you are really representing two companies. Most people don’t realize this damages their integrity but it does. If you are in a membership organization and both entities are not members, that isn’t fair to the paying members. If both entities are members invite a partner or employee to represent the other entity.
5. It just doesn’t work. Most of us who try (with all the best intentions) to give an elevator speech with two focuses are adding a not-for-profit or charitable organization to our introduction. An example would be: “I’m with PDQ Widgets. We make widgets of all types and our prices and service are excellent. I’m also with the Left-handed Paper Hangers Association and we meet each Tuesday at Bills Diner at 11:30. Read the rest of this entry »
If I understand one thing in network marketing, its this. The power of your relationships in your team and your inner circles will determine your success in Life. People don’t want to know how much you know until they know how much you care. You must think right by your fellow human being. I love this quote I got from the great book by Dale Carnegie “How To Win Friends And Influence People”
“The lack of concern and the lack of love that one human being has for another is where all human failing springs”
Oh God, that is such a powerful message. You see this everywhere. You see this in rush hour traffic where nobody gives you an inch, you see this when travelers are getting on and off planes, you see this all the times. When I see things like this, I remember another quote I learned from the book “Think & Grow Rich”
“Animals and Humans act most of the time similarly. One thinks on how to eat their prey wholly, whilst the other do it financially”
Where does this leave me and you. It leaves us to this point. The world is crying out for leaders who will go against the grain of modern society and instead of trying to put people down, we are looking for people who will build people up.
The true winners in this world will be the leaders who help their fellow man, not push him down. This is why Success is attracted into your life by the person you become.
Jack Foley Is An Expert Online Marketer
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