Despite all the many multi-tiered social networking platforms available today, face-to-face networking is the single most effective way to meet the greatest number of qualified prospects in the shortest amount of time while providing the greatest potential to most significantly impact the bottom-line. There is absolutely nothing which will ever replace the value of a face-to-face, handshake to (warm) handshake connection.Attending any business networking event suggests that you have made a personal and possibly a financial investment to be there. Woody Allen, and others, asserts that 90% of success is simply “showing up!” This places a huge emphasis on the remaining 10% of ‘what you do once you are there.’Therefore, the common practice of going through the motions and merely “showing up … putting in an appearance’ and leaving after 15 minutes is doing yourself a complete disservice as you miss the big opportunity to forge connections that you may not otherwise ever have the opportunity to initiate. Such behavior is further insulting to your host.
“Networking has been cited as the number one unwritten rule of success in business. Who you know really impacts what you know.” – Sallie KrawcheckNetworking presents a unique opportunity to personally meet others previously unknown to you, re-acquaint with others while establishing yourself as a resource and
reinforcing your brand. Given that 94.7% percent of all adults experience anxiety before a networking event we offer the following seven How to Stand Apart tips to help channel some of that nervous energy into positive energy… something to which we as human beings, are naturally drawn.
7 Top Tips on How to Stand Apart when Networking
1. Obtain a copy of the guest list and embark in further research to have a point of reference and connection. Perhaps most importantly, learn and practice how to properly pronounce names.
2. Eat before you go. Respectfully, no one invites you anywhere because they think you look hungry and need to be fed! You are invited because someone believes you have something valuable to contribute and it is your responsibility to contribute to the overall success of the event.*Hold cocktails in your left hand leaving your right hand free to shake hands; cocktail napkin – always.
3. Dress appropriately. Dark colors are appropriate. Ladies – wear something with large pockets: one for in-coming and one for out-going business cards. Before you make your entrance, do an overall check: tie or scarf, dandruff, stray hairs, teeth, buttons and zippers… pop a breath mint – we are in the “people business!” AND wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap and dry them thoroughly to eliminate the body oils which encourage “clammy hands” the “kiss of death!”
4. Make your entrance. Be mindful that nearly everyone watches the entrance. Use it – to your advantage. Project positive energy, something to which other people naturally migrate. Walk purposefully and adopt the mindset that this is your event, as if those present are your guests in your living room; you own the room.
5. Have a tag line prepared for this venue and be adept at small talk which artfully helps break the ice, place others at ease and advance relationships. Small talk is really ‘huge talk,’ and anything out is fair game for conversation. Be current on industry events including (their) company news. Remember to ask open-ended questions, all about them and be sure to ask how you can help them. In so doing, you position yourself as a resource.Related:
Why Inside Sales Has Grown Faster Than Outside Sales 6. Read the room and circulate. Resist the temptation to “cluster” with those you already know and approach singles, three’s or more; they are open to approach. Someone standing alone is silently screaming, “Help! Someone, save me!… Talk to me!” and in a group of three, while two people are usually engaged the third person is ‘out’ feeling the same way.That said, doubles may not necessarily be “happily engaged.” … You may have done such a great job making them feel acknowledged that you now have created the infamous “clinger-on- er”. Therefore, walk slowly past two’s giving them the opportunity to signal for an assist.
7. Disengage tactfully. After investing three to five minutes (seven minutes max) … it’s time to move on. Say, “it was a pleasure meeting you, … I have enjoyed our time together. … There are a few people on the other side of the room with whom I would like to connect … if we don’t find each other before the end of the event perhaps we could catch-up within the next few weeks, or months …or years!” Leave it open-ended. Promise nothing. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Remember, we are forever endeavoring to earn trust to advance relationships. It would then be gracious of you to introduce them to someone else and not leave them alone, stranded (!) … reference to the proverbial “pass-off!”Finally, walk whomever you are speaking with to the door, actually, outside the door – to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in “real talk” as in the “meeting after the meeting” where it all comes together. Here, you may comfortably ask for the luncheon, the golf game, etc. and
advance the relationship, which is always the goal.
Final Networking Tips:
Project positive energy. Share personal information however, not too much personal information. Make/take personal notes about individuals and use this information in subsequent communication to advance relationships … the purpose of the event! Write thank you notes. Follow up: The fortune is in the follow-up!
