Five Stumbling Blocks To Successful
Networking
And How To Overcome Them
By: 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.
Author Bio
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
www.mannersthatsell.com
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