Submitted by Ben Acheson on Fri, 03/09/2010 - 15:52
I agree. Identify the people you most want to connect with and spend time on them. Think quality, not quantity. Make it personal. I like the idea of writing notes on people's cards. We should treat contacts like prospects and learn about them.
Submitted by Adi Gaskell MCMI on Fri, 03/09/2010 - 16:02
The question this raises for me though is that often you don't know who else is attending networking events. One of the things I'm trying to encourage here is for the website here to be used to network a bit before events, even if it's as simple as saying that you're attending the event. At least then people have a better idea of who is attending and can go with a plan.
Our research also shows that many people stay away from networking events because they don't know anyone else there and find a room of strangers quite daunting, so that's another benefit from familiarising yourself with people online first.
All interesting ideas. At the networking events I have attended I have sometimes found it hard to drum up conversation. People tend to avoid 'youngsters' at such events! Any tips on getting round this?!
Submitted by Wayne Ellis on Sat, 04/09/2010 - 00:43
I agree with Ben, the online world is more of a meritocracy so use it to gain your foothold in peoples attentions, then they'll want to speak to the man with the great ideas in person at these events.
I think if you go into these events not knowing anyone then you often just look for people like you, which if legend has it and most networking event attendees are white, middle aged guys then it can be kinda limiting.
Submitted by Colin Millar MCMI on Sat, 04/09/2010 - 14:54
Not being a heavy networker, I would add one further point to Ivan Misner's - practice!
I find networking can be very difficult and slightly uncomfortable but, like most things, practice makes it easier and more natural.
I really like Adi's idea. I remember preparing to go to the inaugural CMI Ambassador's training day and Margaret Burnside started a thread on LinkedIn asking who was going. It meant that when I got there, I had an idea of who was going; what they were hoping to get out of it and we had an ice-breaker when we bumped into each other.
It makes absolute sense that if you're attending CMI events to network, we should use the forums available to us to get a bit of pre-networking done and identify those people you want to speak to from a business and / or personal perspective as networking often has mentoring benefits too!
Any tips on breaking the "virtual ice" Adi? I'd like to get some pre-networking going on the Forth Valley area before our launch event.
Submitted by Adi Gaskell MCMI on Sun, 05/09/2010 - 08:04
I suppose it's like the offline way Colin. For instance you could post up asking who's going, ask for a little about themselves, what they're looking for from the event. As the organiser some of the branch team could do a bit of matchmaking if they know two people that would benefit from talking and so on. In many ways it can help the speaker as well as it can be pretty nerve wracking speaking to a room of relative strangers, so invite the speaker to introduce themselves before hand too.
Submitted by Piya Khanna MCMI on Tue, 07/09/2010 - 12:50
I agree its important to prepare and have a key list of people to meet. Also it's about asking people about THEM - imagine you met a friend of a friend whom you don't know from Adam at a dinner - what would you ask him/her? Networking is about building relationships & establishing common ground is a great way to get off on a good footing. Everyone is there to meet people and they will be relieved that you are taking the initiative!
Printer-friendly version
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
YouTube
10,751 users this month
I agree. Identify the people you most want to connect with and spend time on them. Think quality, not quantity. Make it personal. I like the idea of writing notes on people's cards. We should treat contacts like prospects and learn about them.
The question this raises for me though is that often you don't know who else is attending networking events. One of the things I'm trying to encourage here is for the website here to be used to network a bit before events, even if it's as simple as saying that you're attending the event. At least then people have a better idea of who is attending and can go with a plan.
Our research also shows that many people stay away from networking events because they don't know anyone else there and find a room of strangers quite daunting, so that's another benefit from familiarising yourself with people online first.
Yes, I think online social networking is an excellent way to shortlist your contacts before the event. You make a very important point Adi.
All interesting ideas. At the networking events I have attended I have sometimes found it hard to drum up conversation. People tend to avoid 'youngsters' at such events! Any tips on getting round this?!
As above, Paul. Get to know them online first. Get to know their interests. Prepare talking points...
I agree with Ben, the online world is more of a meritocracy so use it to gain your foothold in peoples attentions, then they'll want to speak to the man with the great ideas in person at these events.
I think if you go into these events not knowing anyone then you often just look for people like you, which if legend has it and most networking event attendees are white, middle aged guys then it can be kinda limiting.
Not being a heavy networker, I would add one further point to Ivan Misner's - practice!
I find networking can be very difficult and slightly uncomfortable but, like most things, practice makes it easier and more natural.
I really like Adi's idea. I remember preparing to go to the inaugural CMI Ambassador's training day and Margaret Burnside started a thread on LinkedIn asking who was going. It meant that when I got there, I had an idea of who was going; what they were hoping to get out of it and we had an ice-breaker when we bumped into each other.
It makes absolute sense that if you're attending CMI events to network, we should use the forums available to us to get a bit of pre-networking done and identify those people you want to speak to from a business and / or personal perspective as networking often has mentoring benefits too!
Any tips on breaking the "virtual ice" Adi? I'd like to get some pre-networking going on the Forth Valley area before our launch event.
I suppose it's like the offline way Colin. For instance you could post up asking who's going, ask for a little about themselves, what they're looking for from the event. As the organiser some of the branch team could do a bit of matchmaking if they know two people that would benefit from talking and so on. In many ways it can help the speaker as well as it can be pretty nerve wracking speaking to a room of relative strangers, so invite the speaker to introduce themselves before hand too.
A few ideas:
prepare
arrive early
engage people in a genuine way - they are all networking or they wouldn't be there!
See my notes for more comprehensive hints
"Networking made simple (and effective)"
http://www.box.net/files#/files/0/f/47001882/Networking
I agree its important to prepare and have a key list of people to meet. Also it's about asking people about THEM - imagine you met a friend of a friend whom you don't know from Adam at a dinner - what would you ask him/her? Networking is about building relationships & establishing common ground is a great way to get off on a good footing. Everyone is there to meet people and they will be relieved that you are taking the initiative!