Five Stumbling Blocks To Successful Networking And
How To
Overcome Them
Lydia Ramsey
The ability to connect with people is essential to success in
any business. Professional networking events present
opportunities to interact with others on a personal level and to
develop profitable relationships. These occasions are critical
for anyone who wants to grow a business or promote a career.
Many people are simply not comfortable walking into a room full
of strangers and striking up conversations. Here are five
common stumbling blocks that you may face and tips to help you
overcome them.
A RELUCTANCE TO TALK TO STRANGERS. You were taught
at an early age not to speak to people you don't know. It's not
safe. In certain situations today this is still good advice. In
business, however, talking to strangers is a way to generate
interest and support for your products and services. If you
only talk to the people you already know, you will miss out on
opportunities to make new connections and establish valuable
contacts.
To get past your discomfort in talking to strangers, set a goal
for yourself before you attend any networking event. Decide how
many new contacts you want to make or how many strangers you
want to meet. In some cases, you may specifically target
individuals whom you'd like to know.
Next come up with some icebreakers or conversation starters.
Have questions prepared that you can ask anyone you meet at the
event. You may want to inquire about other people's business,
their connection to the sponsoring organization or their opinion
of the venue.
LACK OF A FORMAL INTRODUCTION. It's much easier to
make a new contact when there is someone else to handle the
introduction and pave the way. If you wait for another person
to make the move you may not meet anyone. At networking
events, the goal is to meet as many people as possible.
This is the time to take the bull by the horns, walk up to
people you don't know, introduce yourself and start a
conversation. You can do this if you have prepared your self-
introduction in advance.
You will not introduce yourself the same way on every occasion.
Perhaps it is your first time to attend an association meeting.
In that case, you might want to say that as part of your
introduction. Let people know who you are, why you are there
and give them a reason to ask more abut you.
FEAR OF BEING SEEN AS PUSHY. You may think that you
will turn people off if you are assertive and that if they want to
talk to you, they will make the first move. If this is your line of
thinking you will find yourself spending your time alone at the
reception or meeting function and leaving without a single new
connection. Being open, friendly and interested does not turn
people off.
You will not come across as overly aggressive if you seek out
the "approachable" people. These are the ones who are standing
alone or who are speaking in groups of three or more. Two
people talking to each other are not approachable because they
may be having a private conversation and you would be
interrupting.
THINKING THAT OTHER PEOPLE MAY NOT LIKE YOU. There
is always the risk that the other person is not interested in you and
doesn't want to meet or talk to you. It happens. If that is the
case, don't take it personally. Nothing ventured is nothing
gained. When you get a cold shoulder, smile, move on and say to
yourself, "Next?"
HAVING YOUR INTENTIONS MISUNDERSTOOD. Approaching
someone of the opposite sex to begin a conversation may seem
more like flirting than networking. This is more of an issue for women
than men. Women have an equal place in the work arena and need
to make professional connections the same as men do. Women in
business can no longer afford to hold back when there is
opportunity at hand.
Neither men nor women will have their motives misinterpreted if
they present themselves professionally in their attire and if
they keep the conversation focused on business issues or topics
that are not personal or private.
Whatever your stumbling blocks, face them before the next
networking event and devise a personal plan for getting past
them. Once you do, you will find yourself connecting with
confidence and courtesy on every occasion and the results will
be reflected in your bottom line.
(c) 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional
speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL -
ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been
quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily,
Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more
information about her programs, products and services, e-mail
her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site
http://www.mannersthatsell.com/
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