The don’ts of business networking

We’re often told what to keep in mind when at a networking event that some aspects get left to one’s assumptions. There are different characters in any given networking event, and whether you’re bold and unapologetic or one leaning toward the shy and timid variety, there are certain things you ought to avoid doing. We’ve done some research and here’s the list we’ve come up with. Let’s have a look.

Don’t be timid

If you’re the type to gravitate toward people you know at events, then it’s likely you’re doing networking wrong. The purpose of such events it to make new connections that you wouldn’t have otherwise made under normal circumstances. You could perhaps be losing out on a lot of fantastic business deals if you don’t venture out. You don’t have to like the process; you just need to get better at it. Soon, it’ll become second nature when you begin to see the value of it.

Don’t assume

You’re likely to interact with people very different from you, so you’re better off appearing ignorant than running on the assumption that turns out to be wrong. If you’re talking to an insurance practitioner and you’re in marketing, it is okay to ask “how much insurance do I need for my condo” to get a feel on the numbers. It might be tempting to do research online later, but you’ll be missing out on firsthand information. You don’t have to end up working together; you still have much to benefit from with regards to acquiring knowledge of different industries. Equally, you’d be surprised how many would jump at the opportunity to appear knowledgeable in their area of expertise.

Don’t over-self-promote

We are surrounded by advertisements vying for our attention in our waking moment. The last thing we all need therefore is a walking advertisement. A person would intend to get word of their brand “out there” but what happens instead is that it rubs people the wrong way and what you have to say falls on deaf ears. Instead, be subtle in your approach and offering suggestions about others making referrals. People prefer feeing they make a decision independently instead of feeling coarse into making connections they didn’t want to. 

Don’t expect a quick turnaround

Giving up attachments to results is one of the ways to avoid being obsessed with getting a callback or not. Just because a person doesn’t contact you within a week does not mean they have written you off. It could perhaps be that the perfect opportunity hasn’t come up. Give it time and stop fretting. Trust that you’ve done your best and spend your energy on projects that get the ball rolling. 

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Created on Aug 29th 2018 14:05. Viewed 499 times.

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