Networking … there’s no question it helps us get business – it’s not what you know, but who you know – but for some of us it’s not enjoyable and also something of a mystery. There’s plenty of advice out there, such as head for
center of room, be sure and greet everyone, and watch your entrance and exit. But this is helpful only after you have some kind of foundation to work from. I’m afraid moving to center room only helps someone who knows what to do once they get there! I suggest baby steps, starting with going on a fact-finding mission. Here are some tips: 1, This can be learned, through study and practice.Attend some events specifically as a fact-finding mission. Observe people who are good at this and figure out why. Choose someone who’s at ease and gathering crowds. Analyze it. This means look at their non-verbals: their gestures, posture, stride, stance, facial expressions, and hand shake. Go over and interact with them yourself. This is kind of person who will be easy to talk with and you’ll learn a lot. 2.Figure out what you’re going to do with your hands!
Sounds like a small thing but it makes a big difference. One less thing to worry about. Notice how poorly you currently do this. Is someone reaching for your hand and your purse slips off your shoulder banging against you? Do you have a drink in your right hand? Do they hang at your side, like orphans or flutter in breeze like frightened birds?
Observe who does this well, then practice in front of a mirror. Practice makes perfect.
3.Business cards.
Business cards are kind of point of whole thing. Be practical. Here’s one idea: Wear a skirt or pants that have a pocket. Keep your business cards in right hand pocket where you can slip them out easily.
4.Memorize some phrases.
As we know from Emotional Intelligence, when emotions go up, brain goes down. Therefore, prepare yourself by learning some catch phrases that encourage conversation. Generally they’re open-ended, i.e., questions that can’t be answered with one word. Examples would be: What did you think of that memo we got today; What have you heard about renovation of this building: and I noticed you’re driving a new car.
5.Use your EQ. Prepare yourself before you go, and process correctly when you return. This has to do with what you are rehearsing, and we rehearse things along with their emotional component. If you tell yourself, “I do miserably at these things,” you will. If you return and focus on all faux pas you made, you are reinforcing this in your brain. I know you know parts that didn’t go well. Learn from them quickly, then spend a lot of time thinking about what went right. 6.How you say it matters more than what you say.
