Am I ready to go networking?

Networking is all about meeting people and staying in touch with the world as a whole. It is not just about getting new business. A lot of people in business can become isolated in their working environments. Receiving fresh input from people in your own line of business or from business people generally can be very helpful.

In business we all encounter the same problems but different people come up with different solutions.

It’s nice to get to know there are different approaches. It is only natural to be a bit in awe of going in to a room full of strangers. The trick is to realise that we all feel the same about it. Here are a few tips that work for us.

A lot of networking events involve canapes. If you are hungry, eat first then go and meet people. Don’t try and eat at the same time as talking. But having a drink in your hand does not impinge on a conversation.

You will have to break up other people’s conversations. People will not necessarily come to you, you have to go to them. The best way to do this is find two people talking to each other. Go and stand between making a triangle. This will normally make them look at you and you can introduce yourself.

Have a prepared introductory line. Have in your mind things you would like to say about yourself or your business. But don’t talk too much. The object is to get them to talk to you.

Have clean business cards to hand out. Collect business cards from others and as soon as the event is over write down details about the people you have spoken to. Create a database so you can follow up.

There are many good networking organisations most of which will let you let you come as a guest for one meeting free of charge. If you want someone to go with, give us a ring.