Business Networking ? Extroverted Web Weaving for the Introvert
If you have been in business for any amount of time, you go to networking events. Did your body just seize up? Was there a swelling of nervousness in your gut? Are you about ready to stop reading? I encourage you to stay with me about networking. Let me ask: what's the difference between someone who asks you at a picnic or at church, "Who do you know who ??" versus the reality that this is the same question being asked by everyone at a formal networking event? The difference is likely that phrase "networking event!"
Estimates are that we each know about 200 to 250 people. In this group of people, this sphere or circle of influence, business happens informally and formally, passively and actively and with success and without. Since I am an introvert, my take on networking comes from a want to make the most of the event in the shortest amount of time. My energy drains too fast in too much of a great event! Here are a few pointers to put extroverted behaviors for the most introverted of us with high success.
1. Go to a networking event with an intention.
What usually works is to set an intention to meet just three new people. Or, an intention to get business cards from three new people. Something immediate and small is usually doable for any of us.
2. Carry business cards everywhere
My business cards are with me everywhere. I always have one box of business cards in my car, a few business cards in a jacket pocket and always in my business portfolio. In the rare situation that I might not have one, then I ask the person I meet for theirs. No one has ever refused to give me his or her card because I did not have mine.
3. Communicate eyeball to eyeball.
As I wrote that I wondered, "Who sustains eye contact better, introverts or extroverts? Maybe there is research on that. For me, eye contact is easy. I feel better when I focus on the person I am talking with and not seeing all the hustle around us. For a fact, we know that in general, most people have more positive feelings from eye contact than lack of it.
4. Use people's name: you'll both be uplifted.
Doesn't it make you feel important when someone remembers your name? You don't need a memory course to do this better. The easier you make it the better, particularly for an introvert. One, two, three: One, use a person's name immediately when you meet them: "It's great to meet you Cindy Tracy. Two, then use their name in your conversation when you ask a question: "How long have you been coming to these events Cindy?" And, easy three, if someone else approaches the group you're in, introduce the person you just met by their name.
5. Stand out from the crowd with follow-up.
Even the shyest of us can easily reap results in this part of the process! Write a short, simple thank-you note within about a week to those three new people you meet. Thank them for talking with you and helping you learn about what they do in business. Include your business card. I am amazed how few people continue to make this part of their networking system.
6. Propel yourself forward with giving.Let's just say that everyone at this event is seeking a recommendation for something. Your best bet is to discover what they are seeking. It could be anything - a good movie to watch, a restaurant recommendation, where they can get a previously released music cd - anything for any aspect of life. When you follow-up, ask about what they thought about your recommendation. With your focus on how to help someone fill the smallest need first, you're still moving forward in your networking.
Right On!
Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, networking can be more comfortable and confident when you come from the place of knowing that everyone is seeking a recommendation at some time. The "networking event" just puts formal dress on web weaving - connecting people with whoever or where ever will get them what they want.
Pat Weber is a coach, certified telelcass leader, and corporate trainer. In her business coaching, she works with small business owners, independent professionals and salespeople to help them get more of what they want sooner than later.
Visit her website at http://www.prostrategies.com. Sign up for her free ezine.
Latest News
MeetingWave Files Geo-Location Social Networking Patent Application MarketWatch - MeetingWave.com, announced that it has filed a patent application entitled "Computer-Based Networking Service and Method and System for Performing the Same" ... |
Experts Connection Offers Executives Tips to Maximize Professional ... MarketWatch - "Understanding how to harness social networking tools like LinkedIn and Facebook demonstrates the kind of new media savvy that discriminating companies are ... |
 Techtree.com | Facebook Migrates Social Networking With New Connect Platform NewsOXY, FL - By John Lester The new Facebook Connect platform will migrate to multiple social networking profiles into one. The new service is similar to Microsoft's ... Facebook Connect Expands, Aims To Shrinking The Web Facebook Connects to the Rest of the Web Networking News |
How to Use Social Networking Sites for Marketing and PR New York Times, United States - By AllBusiness.com Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace have become the party lines of this young century. They are inviting and intriguing ... |
 eFluxMedia | Power.com: For Social Networking Power Users Washington Post, United States - They're calling what they do "social inter-networking" because it allows users to view and interact with all of their social networks at once. ... SMBs Get Social Networking Bridges from Power.com Power.com Offers One-Stop Shop for Social Networking Power.com to Become Social Networking Sites Aggregator |
Cisco introduces wireless CCIE pinnacle for aspiring networking gurus Search Networking - Cisco's less advanced wireless certifications, the CCNA and CCNP, have certified networking pros to support and troubleshoot wireless networks, ... |
FindMyAudition.com Proves It's Not What You Know, But Who MarketWatch - "Through FMA's unique networking events, we're providing qualified participants with first-hand insight on how to get their big break. ... |
Fibre Channel Switch Market Propelled by New Products, According ... MarketWatch - As the trusted source for market information about the networking and telecommunications industries, Dell'Oro Group provides in-depth, objective research ... |
ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING LEADS WITH QUALIFICATION FOR NEW VERSION ... FOXBusiness - ADVA Optical Networking successfully completed interoperability testing and qualification of its FSP 3000 platform for a new version of IBM's mainframe ... |
Elite social networking site Total Prestige to raise $1M VentureBeat, CA - Total Prestige, another social network that aims to cater to elite users, plans to raise $1 million from angel investor Frank DeRose. ... |
Resources
-
Pharmaceutical Sales Interviewing Tools
Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Questions is a pharmaceutical career portal providing the job searcher with all job hunting needs from job search, questions and answers, resume advice, research and other free information.
-
[ Certify.com© ] Exam Essentials™ A+, CompTIA, Novell, Microsoft Certification Practice Tests an
Since 1994, Exam Essentials has been the first choice in practice tests and training software for informed professionals and students preparing for their CompTIA, Microsoft, Novell and A+ certification exams. Try our FREE DEMO practice exams and see why t
-
Home Automation & Networking -A Complete Guide
Home Automation & Networking eBook on how to design a home automation system ranging from a simple installation to a total integrated Design.
-
Networking - perth speed business
Corporate Services.