Networking Groups

It's been fun going face to face and an education too!

As promised, my wife and I have been going out to 2 to 3 business networking groups each week. We've met all types of people, collected a lot of business cards and added most to our growing list. It's fun to be out there, challenge yourself to walk up to someone you don't know with your hand out stretched and introduce yourself. The great part is meeting people without an agenda... just to meet people and have them be happy they met us. And, it's worked well that way.

It's been interesting to note the different make-ups and character of each networking group. Some are full of gregarious networkers, people who know how to work a crowd without showing up as a sales person. Other groups are stiff and business like, hand you a card, tell you about themselves and on to the next target. Not the way to network, for sure. We won't be going back to those groups.

We know it is important to be respectful of others. When someone hands you their card good manners demands that you take their card and give it a sincerely prolonged look-over. One of the people we met from the business group took my card and shoved it in his pocket without looking. He then proceeded to pitch us with both barrels. I made a mental note that this guy was not interested in much more than himself. He got scratched from the list.

We practiced our 30 second introduction with variations, alterations and gyrations. You always want to keep that sort of thing short, to the point and memorable; leave them with a bit of a question so they want to know more. We heeded the advice to have something prepared to say when people finally get around to asking you, "And, so, what do you do?"

Here's A baker's Dozen - Rules for Networking

1. Accept a business card as it is presented to you. (A two hand presentation = accept with two hands.) Take a moment to look at the card, it shows respect and might give a clue to open a conversation.

2. Have prepared your "30 second" introduction to present yourself and express your goals.

3. Your name tag should be worn on the right side of your body so as you shaking hands it is presented to the one you're meeting.

4. Gentlemen, allow the ladies to extend their hand first. Permit them to control whether they are comfortable with the exchange.

5. A proper handshake is to touch the web of your hand, between the thumb and index finger, to the web of the person whose hand you're shaking. A handshake should be firm, not limp, not crushing.

6. Be mindful of the social context with whom you are networking. (CEO? Sales Rep? Freelancer?) and where you are (Luncheon? association event with speaker? Awards banquet?).

7. Invoke the 80/20 rule - speak only 20 percent of the time, listen 80 percent of the time.

8. If the event includes dinner and you are the first to arrive at the table for dinner, wait behind your chair or mingle until everyone is present before sitting down.

9. To politely leave a conversation, introduce the person you're talking with to someone else and politely excuse yourself. (This will come in handy, promise!)

10. Be authentically interested in the person you are meeting. It shows respect and will go a long way to initiating a relationship.

11. Make connections where you can. People always remember the person who filled their need.

12. Networking is a contact sport. Avoid hanging out with people you know. Meet new people.

13. Here's the most important tip - Have Some Fun! Meet some new people; most of them have a interesting story to share.