networking skills

Sometimes alcoholic drinks can fuel the right kinds of networking conversations!

Although I often urge people not to open a conversation with a stranger with the question ‘what do you do?’ the chances are that you are going to be asked it at some point in a conversation. How you respond will often dictate the direction the conversation then takes.

OK, I have to put my hands up and admit my guilt. I made what many people tell me is the number one mistake when networking. And I did it in style. 

This blog originally appeared in The Huffington Post

I'm looking forward to visiting Vietnam in a couple of weeks to speak at two events about networking and why it is so important. In preparation for my talks I have been asking Vietnamese business owners and expats based there for their views on Vietnamese networking culture and how it compares to the way we network in the West.

On Friday afternoon I was interviewed by Colin Paterson on BBC Radio 5 Live in a section looking at the growth of networking in securing jobs and questioning whether networking is a positive thing.

Monday 16th May saw our celebration of the publication of the second edition of '...and Death Came Third! The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public' at Eight Club Bank in London. 

A few years ago I was single and attending the occasional speed dating event and singles night. At one of these events it occurred to me that there wasn't too much difference between my talk on networking skills and good advice for people on the dating scene.

If you are good at bringing people together and making the right connections, you have the potential to position yourself at the centre of a very powerful universe. 

I was discussing networking skills during a lunch run by Chairman's Network last week. A couple of fellow attendees had read my profile in advance and had been watching to see how I 'worked the room'. Would I pass out lots of business cards? Did I make sure I spoke to everyone there? 

I'm pleased to report that I did none of the above, I simply relaxed, enjoyed myself and had a number of interesting conversations. Some of those conversations promise to lead to interesting opportunities. But I digress.

There are some things you simply shouldn't do at networking events.

As more networks look to stand out from the crowd, attract people to come back time and again and focus on the social element of their offering, so it becomes easier to let your guard down and forget you represent your business when you network. I have written before about the perils of drinking at networking events, last night I witnessed someone being thrown out for the first time.

Much is made of the dreaded 'elevator pitch' and what you say when people ask you what you do. How do you answer that question though? Particularly when it comes from someone who genuinely cares and might be talking to your ideal prospect in their next conversation.