Humor ME. Humor has been scientifically proven to relieve stress, motivate and improve relationships. Using good humor relaxes people and allows them to be more open. A tense or uncomfortable person is far less able or willing to engage in a good discussion with you. “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people” - Victor Borge
Remembering Names. Right before you meet new people, prepare to receive their name. Try to associate their name with something visual – what they are wearing, a word that rhymes etc. Use their name in your first or second response. Mention their name naturally during the conversation – Don’t overdo it! Repeat their name when parting.
Connect Others. Make connections for them. Help them find new business, a valuable connection, or anything that enhances their life or solves a problem.
Grow Your Network. Seeking new relationships and nurturing them is one key ingredient to success that can inspire others to serve as your advocates and propel your business. Satisfied clients, business contacts, friends and your team are your best sales and marketing champions because they LIKE and TRUST you.
First Impression. When meeting people for the first time your body language speaks volumes! With a warm “Hello” and smile, deliver a firm handshake. With each conversation ALWAYS provide people your full attention by listening and asking good questions; avoid interrupting or looking around for someone more important. Fully engage yourself in that moment and seek to learn about others as well as share information about yourself. Exhibiting a proper demeanor indicates you are invested in the conversation and are sincerely interested in building a new relationship. Business circles are small, leave an unforgettable first impression.
Offer to Help. Offer your assistance for the next event. Serve as host, set up/take down, check in attendees or however else you can help.
Allows you to meet people as they arrive and learn who attends.
Start a Newsletter. Sharing valuable information and insight on a consistent basis offers your contacts free expertise. Be succinct and include personal stories. This makes your words impactful and you more genuine.
New Ideas, New People for a New Year. Start off 2006 by trying something new. Join a new group. Whether a Chamber, Trade Association, Non Profit or even an Interest Club, join a new group and surround yourself with new people. There is no better way to infuse your network with fresh relationships and expand your circle of influence.
Thank the Organizers. Strive to thank the organizers and offer a compliment on their success. If tied up, send a quick hand written thank you note or email the next day.
Follow Up. When you meet new people at a networking event, it's a good practice to try to follow up with them via email, phone or written note within 48 hours. If you feel the connection is of no benefit to either party, it's okay not to follow up.
Develop Relationships. Use coffee, lunch meetings and email discussion to develop and maintain the most beneficial relationships. Ensure you are making contact with those in your network regularly and for reasons other than those strictly benefiting you. Scan the business section and look for mentions about the people you know. Send a note congratulating or wishing them well.
The Essentials. Before leaving your room each time ALWAYS have business cards and a working pen. Hotels kindly supply each room with a free pen so use it. Gum or breath mints are strongly encouraged to absorb those hearty conference meals. Insert cards in your pocket – make sure they are crisp and not written on. For the ladies – find an easy access place in your purse or a nice card holder.
Meeting someone who needs to know you: How do you go about introducing yourself to someone who needs to know who you are? For starters, leverage your network - find someone you already know to facilitate the introduction. Agree to meet your contact at a function and encourage your contact to reconnect first and then, join them a few moments into their conversation.
Table Manners. Always strive to make your mom proud and heed all those rule of etiquette she delicately instilled (i.e. pounded) into you! You would be surprised how many people do not know proper dining manners and more importantly how others notice. Especially if you are dining with spouses, they are very observant of such subtleties.
Power of Questions. A too seldom utilized opportunity to introduce yourself and meet new people is to ask a question in front of a large audience. Imagine you have the opportunity to introduce yourself and your organization to hundreds of people at once.
People will remember your question.
Try to sit near the front. Be one of the first to raise their hands. Ask a one part question that requires a descriptive answer and hopefully incites some discussion or invites multiple perspectives, than simply yes or no. Speak clearly and loudly.
Everyone is a customer – Whether the person you meet buys your product or now, they may still become a customer. Treat everyone you meet as a potential client and you will find success in the interaction.
Making A Request. We build networks so we can leverage the resources and collective knowledge of such a web of contacts. Asking the people in your network for help, contacts, advice etc., must be done with professionalism and sincerity. Be concise, clear and respectful. Offer sufficient information but careful to overload with extraneous data so they may respond timely. Never keep score of how many times you have helped someone or responded to requests. Make sure you request and never demand.
Card Exchange. Many people will forget to bring cards, run out of them or just not complete their end of the exchange. So don't feel slighted or get your feelings hurt. Become comfortable with offering you card and asking for one in return.
