Love it or hate it in business you have to do it.
The first time I attended a network event I felt like a fish out of water. It was a quiz night being hosted by a local bank and I knew only my colleagues I was with. I spent the time prior to the quiz looking around nervously wondering what to say and how to approach someone. Everyone seemed to know everyone else and all seemed to have something important to say. When someone did speak to me I wasn’t at all confident in my response and just wished the ground would open up and swallow me.
It’s always difficult attending your first networking event but always remember you’re there because you need to be. You may not be the business owner but you are an ambassador for the company you represent, so be confident and remember that you play an important role within your organisation.
It takes time and regular attendance to relax and efficiently network at different events. Part of my role here at Lucentum, is to organise and attend the quarterly breakfast meeting (BASS) which is tailored especially for the local Bankers, Accountants, Solicitors and Surveyors in the Chelmsford and surrounding area. By restricting which professions attend we ensure a more efficient networking event.
My first BASS attendance was scary! I remember greeting everyone on arrival and whilst they were seated for breakfast I stood in a corner and became invisible. Well what was the point of that? All I had achieved was putting faces to names of people I spoke to on the phone or had corresponded with on email.
Following a few attendances my confidence grew, so much so that at one breakfast, it was just after the 2005 London Marathon, a couple of banking professionals were discussing Paula Radcliffe and her performance and asked me what I thought of her, to which my reply was; “oh gosh I don’t think I invited her what company is she from”? As the words left my mouth I knew the blonde moment had been achieved, much to the hilarity of my table companions.
So how do you mingle effectively in a networking group?
If the host is busy and cannot introduce you, look around for other individuals who are also on their own and go over and introduce yourself (they will be glad you did) and ask them some questions about themselves keeping the conversation light and be careful not to interrogate. If they are wearing a badge, remembering their name is so much easier.
Once you are engaged in conversation, remember to listen to what the other person is saying. Don’t try and hog the conversation or turn it into a total sales pitch for your business and when you exchange business cards, always look at their card. This will demonstrate you have shown an interest in them and also help you remember who they are when it comes to filing them when you’re back at the office.
If everyone seems to be bunched into a group, have a look at their body posture. If there is a group standing rather informally and looking around as they speak these tend to be an easy group to introduce yourself into. Try making eye contact with someone and smile; a great way to break the ice.
Also remember your manners at networking events; nobody will want to speak to someone who is rude or disrespectful. A few points to bear in mind:
- Be aware of personal space. Don’t stand too close when speaking with someone
- Remember to end a conversation in a courteous manner and leave a good impression
- Don’t tell inappropriate jokes or anecdotes that are likely to offend
- Don’t constantly interrupt or hijack other people’s conversations
- If alcohol is available watch how much you are consuming, remember being intoxicated is not going to impress
Finally remember you will want to make a good lasting impression. If you have said you will forward some information make sure you do so in the time frame you have agreed on and don’t make promises you cannot fulfil.
Above all – enjoy yourself!
