Networking – Meeting People With a Purpose
August 5, 2007
How do you meet people and what do you do at an event where business people are gathered? The following is something that is very natural and works for me. It might work for you too.
- Walk up, confidently, but in an unthreatening manner and say, “Hi, I’m _____,” and then be quiet.
- They will almost always say their name; sometimes they will say their name and whom they are with. Let them say as much as they want to say.
- Make an authentic, positive comment about the event. If the speaker was terrible say – “it feels great to get up and walk around.” If the speaker was great say, “That speaker really made a good point about such and such.” Whatever: make it positive. Life is good in your world. That’s why other people are going to want to be in your world!
- Pretty early on, ask, “So what do you do?” Again, let them tell you as much as they want to tell you. Spend your time listening.
- Decide if you think the relationship might be one that you might want to develop. If not, say, “great to meet you, “ and move on. If yes: ask one or two questions that invite brief clarity on the issue that you think might be of mutual benefit. If, upon asking those one or two brief questions you still think that there might be a mutual benefit follow that up with something like
- “That’s interesting, my focus is _________ and it seems like you and I might have something worth following up on in more detail, what do you think?
- If they say yes, ask for their card, and ask if you could give them a call this ____ or ____.
- Regardless of the answer, thank them and move on.
Coach Chuck
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