Mastering the art of efficient networking marks the difference between just successful entrepreneurs and captains of industry - the better you work in a network, the more energy you own. Networking serves many purposes: from building your customer base to providing and receiving the necessary resources from contacts in the business community, and everyone who plans to start a startup should devote time to strengthening their networking skills.
For many experienced entrepreneurs, networking is the most effective way to spend your limited business social time. For others, the entrance to a room full of people seems overwhelming, especially if they do not know anyone else. There are some simple rules for successful work in a room, and anyone who can learn to be a master of networking with little willingness.
Start from the end in mind
Before embarking on networking events, plan your goals. If you have a specific business problem that you need to contact, or you want to add three solid business contacts to your network, or you need two new customers, executing the plan will allow you to spend time much more efficiently. A visit with no set goals is much more likely to result in a lot of time spent with very little gain.
As you become more active in your business community, you will likely find that there are enough network events to fill your calendar. No need to attend every event. Some organizations will better respond to your specific needs. Try different places and evaluate the result based on a simple rule - you should get at least three new contacts, potential customers or pieces of useful information for each hour you spend on the network. If you find yourself attending a weekly event with the same people, and you are not getting any new information or potential customers, consider reducing attendance to once a month and try various events to improve your results.
In addition to setting specific objectives, prepare topics for discussion, suggested knowledge, and questions to ask to continue the conversation. If you need a specific referral or information, make a note so that you do not forget. Take a tablet with you to keep business cards and take notes as needed.
Work in the room
Each network event that you attend will fall into one of three categories: you know everyone there, you know a few people, or you don’t know a soul. Each circumstance requires a different approach. If you know everyone, be sure to contact them. Limit your conversations to a few minutes each. If possible, get acquainted with professionals you know who have something in common or complementary skills or business.
If you know only a few people in the room, start with catching up with each of them. Ask them who else they know and introduce you. Be sure that you do the same thing by introducing people you know to each other. Be prepared with business cards for the exchange and the habit of giving two to each new contact - one for storage and one for referral. When you get cards from new contacts, take a moment to mark any interesting personal or business information about them to add to your contact database. If someone you meet doesn't have a business card, write your information in your scheduler ... whatever you do, never let a potentially good contact go to waste.
If you don’t know anyone in a network event, start by finding people who are on their own. No one likes to be on the outside, and, as a rule, these other people will also be uncomfortable, because they do not know anyone. After you have chatted for a few minutes, take a new contact with you to meet with another loner, and another, until you have a group in which everyone can join. Showing what this guide will help you make contacts in your business community and increase the chances for your business to grow with referrals.
If a “special guest” is invited to the event you are attending, most of the participants will require their attention. If the press is present, you should talk to their, The meeting with the state senator is fascinating, but knowing the local business reporter will give you more information and, therefore, more business. Pay attention to what people are saying, and are interested in what you can do for them, as in what they can do for you. Set a goal to be the best network contact in your industry or region, and work in each room according to that intention.
What to do (and not do) in network events
Some basic actions and non-network events:
- Make the dress one step away from how you expect everyone else to be dressed.
- Do not make critical judgments of others based on how they are dressed.
- Carry more than enough business cards, at least one pen, and your scheduler or notebook.
- Do not answer calls, texts or emails while talking to others. If you have to use your smartphone, excuse yourself and go outside.
- Listen to what other people need and pay attention - if you can help them, it will improve your reputation as a great contact.
- Do not talk too much about personal things, especially if they are negative. Even if you are on the verge of a divorce, your child has been suspended from school, and your dog has bitten a neighbor, nobody in the network environment should know about it. The same goes for medical issues.
- View your notes from the last event and follow the appropriate steps.
- Do not raise negative issues before uninvolved contacts.
- Talk to the bartender and servers — you will be surprised at who they know and who they may be.
- Do not drink alcohol. Avoid food, unless you are hungry. Food in the teeth and garlic breath - this is not the image to which you aspire. If you must eat, take a break and make sure you check yourself in the toilet before returning to the net. Do not try to talk to others while they eat. Seriously, grab an energy bar on the way - why waste time on network time for snacking?
Effective networking skills are a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, and the ability to work in a room is one of the most difficult tasks. Use common sense and evaluate your performance after each network event. The more you realize yourself, the easier it will be to become a contact in your area and industry.
