Over on the Don't Eat the Steak Squidoo lens I have many 5 points lists that any self-respecting Modern Magellan should be aware of. From time to time, I will pull one over to the blog to expand on the topic. That lens is getting too long to add much detail to each list.
1 - Do it! Why spend money and go to meetings if you come home with nothing but notes? Who goes to meetings just to hear the speakers? Chances are that many of the people around you are in the same field, job, or other situation that you are. I once read a piece by Jill Geisler, the Leadership & Management Group Leader for The Poynter Institute, where she said that her Mantra is "The Wisdom is in the room." She was speaking about being an effective speaker but I think you can also apply the thought to networking. You probably went to the meeting with a problem or two back at your business. Unless it is a very small meeting or a meeting unrelated to your work - the answer might just be in the room.
For #2, 3, 4 & 5 plus more links...
2 - The more you give the more you get. Be helpful and not one-sided. What goes around comes around is particularly true for networking. If you get a reputation for being helpful people will seek you out. Being helpful is an investment that works best if you frequent the same meetings or gatherings. If you are a service provider, it can be hard to take off your marketing and sales hat. Everyone is comfortable with hearing what you do. Beyond that, it is a matter of sensitivity.3 - 5 minutes per person. Be effective, polite, and move on. After 5 minutes, you may be boring them anyway. Maybe you can stay 10 or 15 but only if you are adding or receiving something of value. The idea is to get to the next step where you are going to do something for each other. If there is no next step then move on. You are not helping yourself or them by chatting about the weather. That is unless there is a storm coming. I was stranded in Pittsburg once because I did not understand how an approaching storm would affect flights the next day. Those from the East Coast knew. I got snowed in.
4 - Business cards are for sharing and for note taking. Make sure you keep the ones you make notes on. It can be difficult to ask for one back that has notes on it. If you make a note on the back of one of your cards, then make a mark on the front so that you will not give that one away. It sounds too easy but how many numbers have you lost that way. May be it's just me. Hugh of The Gaping Void has found a great use for cards - draws cartoons on them. Does that make them cardtoons??? Be sure to write any commitments you make and any notes you will need to remember who this is after the meeting.
5 - Learn to say excuse me in multiple languages - it helps start and end conversations. It is rude to just walk away. Even if the other person is being rude by trying to sell you when you have already declined, excusing yourself is still the right thing to do. Using a different language can also break any tension that may have built up. It might just be disruptive enough to get them to stop talking. On your side, if you have made the sale, the appointment, or the connection - move on! Once you have made the sale, stop selling. Mission accomplished means you let them go to network with other people they need to meet. You also have more people to meet.
There are many more networking tips - these are just my current Top 5
Here are some useful links -
by Diane Mashia
by Stephanie Speisman
from The Riley Guide
Using Business Cards by Carl E. Reid
Cynthia D'Amour
So what is your number 1 networking must do?
