Networking has proven to be an effective business tool and can be beneficial if done properly. Meeting people and developing these relationships can lead to a brighter future down the road. Meeting new people does take a little bit of practice and starting a conversation from scratch is not as hard as it seems. One of the biggest keys to developing a relationship from the start is taking time to listen to the other person and learning about him or her.
At networking events, it's usually easy to move around and meet several different people. Take time to maneuver around the room a bit and talk to several different types of people there. It's not always possible to know everyone but try and take time to get to know the different people who are attending the event.
When you start conversing with someone, try to avoid providing your whole life story in 30 seconds. If you enjoy your work, it is easy to get carried away on that topic and talk more about yourself instead of getting to know the other person. Talking too much about yourself can be a bit of a turnoff to someone and might bore the person you are talking to as well.
As a way to get to know the other person, start asking questions about what he or she does, hobbies, how he or she joined the organization hosting the event, etc. This way, it gets the person to open up a bit and provides you an opportunity to listen and learn more. I'm not saying to make it a game of 20 Questions and try to avoid too many yes and no questions. Take this as an opportunity to learn more about the other person and find common ground that might be there.
Networking is key but taking time to know the people you meet with is just as important!
Showing posts with label networking events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label networking events. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
ABBC- Always Bring Business Cards
Networking is one of the most powerful tools in business today but a surprising number of people forget to bring a valuable item when going to networking events; business cards. Even though it makes sense, there are many different networking and social events out there in which people forget to bring business cards.
These events are great opportunities to meet people but how are you supposed to be remembered if you don't have any information to leave with the people you are conversing with?
Whenever you go to a networking event, social or business-oriented function, take a fair number of business cards with you. You never know who you may run across as these events, who can be a valuable contact and the doors that can open up from these interactions so make sure you have your business cards with you. With the number of people that attend, it's best to leave the people you talk to a card with your contact information for future reference. The people you meet may end up with a lot of business cards towards the end of the night but your will be in the pile if you provide one.
If you are currently unemployed, it's understandable if you don't have a current business card, however, you can obtain business cards for this use. One of the most popular web-sites to go to for personal business cards is www.vistaprint.com, where you can design your own business cards and get a certain number of them for free. This web-site has helped a lot of different job seekers get business cards when they needed it and can provide you with the same benefits as well. Taking time to design these cards is worth the investment and having these available at a networking event can help key people you meet remember who you are.
Even though it can seem like a hassle, there are ways in which you can carry business cards efficiently and effectively. Sometimes having a case full of them in your pocket, wallet or purse makes them easy to pull out when you need it. Others will carry them in a shirt pocket for easy access and other simply keep them in a coat or pants pocket. Carrying these is easier then you think and it's always good to make sure they are accessible.
Whenever you go to a business function or networking event, remember ABBC, Always Bring Business Cards!
These events are great opportunities to meet people but how are you supposed to be remembered if you don't have any information to leave with the people you are conversing with?
Whenever you go to a networking event, social or business-oriented function, take a fair number of business cards with you. You never know who you may run across as these events, who can be a valuable contact and the doors that can open up from these interactions so make sure you have your business cards with you. With the number of people that attend, it's best to leave the people you talk to a card with your contact information for future reference. The people you meet may end up with a lot of business cards towards the end of the night but your will be in the pile if you provide one.
If you are currently unemployed, it's understandable if you don't have a current business card, however, you can obtain business cards for this use. One of the most popular web-sites to go to for personal business cards is www.vistaprint.com, where you can design your own business cards and get a certain number of them for free. This web-site has helped a lot of different job seekers get business cards when they needed it and can provide you with the same benefits as well. Taking time to design these cards is worth the investment and having these available at a networking event can help key people you meet remember who you are.
Even though it can seem like a hassle, there are ways in which you can carry business cards efficiently and effectively. Sometimes having a case full of them in your pocket, wallet or purse makes them easy to pull out when you need it. Others will carry them in a shirt pocket for easy access and other simply keep them in a coat or pants pocket. Carrying these is easier then you think and it's always good to make sure they are accessible.
Whenever you go to a business function or networking event, remember ABBC, Always Bring Business Cards!
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