Mistakes, blunders, errors, lapses, slips, missteps, misplays, miscues, mishaps.
Lots of mis’s! Here’s another one – missed opportunities.
It’s amazing to me the mistakes very smart business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders make when #businessnetworking. Like boxing, networking is about making connections.
Below are ways NOT to make them!
Alignment
Not being in alignment with the people you’re networking with will make it difficult to make genuine connections. Can you relate to their professions, experience level, purpose, and mindset? If not, it will be more difficult to establish a rapport.
Preparing
Not preparing your goals, the questions you may ask, the way you discuss your own business, and how you show up at an event may impact your confidence and the impression you make. What impression do you want to make?
Communication
Not being a confident and engaging communicator (at least at the event) will make it more difficult to have effective conversations and may discourage others from speaking with you. Ask questions, share stories, and establish a collaboration. Lead with being social and nice (as opposed to naughty and nice), interested, and curious. Ask, “How can I help?”
Following Up
Not following up is the kryptonite to #networking. Establish “follow up” during the event, so when you FU within 24-hours, you’ve set a positive expectation. No need to follow up with everyone. Who did you like most? Who can you help? Who can help you? Is there an opportunity to collaborate?
Staying in Touch
Not having a strategy to stay in touch with your network is one of the biggest mistakes we all make. All those connections on LinkedIn and other social media, as well as in our phones, databases, etc., it’s impossible to keep up with everyone. It’s often easier to leverage the relationships already established rather than developing new relationships. Both are important! Create a SIT system.
It all starts with having a networking mindset. What is a networking mindset? Being naturally curious, listening, learning, asking questions, having fun, and looking at networking as a process, not an event.
Relationships (at least good ones!) take time. Make the time to develop them!
