Are you making the right connections?
4 Steps to Better Networking
There’s a lot going on with networking at the moment. It seems the more people connect by social media the more they want to meet face to face. Last week I attended 3 networking events and I could have gone to as many more if I had the time.
Last Thursday I had the pleasure of being the keynote speaker at the inaugural Braeside YTM “SpeedNetworking with a Twist” event at the Woodlands Golf Club. These events are hosted by consummate networker and YTM Founder Kerryn Powell. The Twist part is that there is a guest speaker at each event as well.
Warren presents at a recent networking event
My topic was “Making Great Connections” so I thought I would share some of the key points from my talk.
How often have you come away from a networking event feeling that you had missed out on connecting with the right people.
Chances are you may only connect with 25% of the people you meet at a networking event. And even more alarming is that in the 75% of people you don’t connect with are probably the ones you need to connect with!
4 ways to connect
So what does it mean to connect? Well, my research tells me that there are 4 main ways in which people like to connect.
1) Engage. People like to engage. And by that I mean to get to know you at a more meaningful level. It is better to have one quality conversation rather that to flit around talking to everyone and not getting to know anyone.
2) Relate. People like to relate. Let’s call this finding something we have in common e.g. perhaps it is where you went to school, or grew up or which footy team you follow. These common connections provide good memory triggers for when you meet next time.
3) Collaborate. These days there is a lot going on with collaboration which means working together towards a common goal. So by finding out about other peoples’ goals you may be able to help them or connect them to someone who can.
4) Share. We’ve all heard the expression “givers gain” and no-where is it more rewarding than at a networking event. Perhaps you have a tip or useful information you can share that could save someone time from searching around. Remember, people will remember you not for what you do but for what you do for them.
Ronen says “It’s all in the cards!”
This is part one of my talk. Next week I will share Part 2, how to overcome the communication barriers at networking events.
