Networking 101 in 1-08
January 16, 2008 by Mary Ellen
Ineffective networking? You know the symptoms: you go to an event because you should, half-heartedly talk with people you don’t know, exchange a few cards, and leave wondering what happened. Is there a better way? Fortunately, the answer is yes.
When I attended a recent ASTD – American Society of Training and Development – chapter meeting, Christine Kominiak made a point of asking about me and my business. We chatted during lunch and exchanged cards. Later that day she followed up with an email:
Mary Ellen,
I just wanted to send a quick to say that I’m
so glad we met (officially anyway) today and I’m looking forward to getting to
know you more going forward. Thanks for your openness and willingness to
share. I so appreciate that!See you at the next meeting, I
hope!Warmly,
Christine Kominiak
Owner,
Author, Trainer, Consultant
Because of the email, I reviewed her card and added her to my contacts. I noted Christine’s card does not include an address; rather, “By Referral Only.” While it’s not a strategy for everyone, Christine has finessed the networking meeting in my book. As a result of our interaction and her follow up Productive Sense, her company is on my radar.
The more traditional networking one-on-one meeting pales in comparison to Christine’s personal style. Judy Boles, a business broker with Vaughn Company persuaded me to meet for coffee. (Disclosure: I’d been referred to one of Judy’s new business owner’s by a third party.) I’m confident that I now know more about Judy and the types of businesses that make good customers for her. I flipped back and forth between the two company’s websites just for the fun of it: there’s a big, personalized difference.
How do you network?
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Key here is that she didn’t try to sell you anything or push you to do something NOW with her.
I find I get far better results – and have far more fun – when I go to events simply to – well – have fun. Certainly I want to meet new contacts, but my first priority (or even third) isn’t shoving as many biz cards as possible into people’s hands.
Forced biz card bonding doesn’t do much for you – and can in fact drive people away. Something far too many of the “power networking” and “biz referral” groups just don’t grok.