Are you daunted by a room full of strangers?
How often do you think about how well you ‘connect’ with people?
Before you enter a room do you stop to consider the impact you are about to make?
Most of us just walk in and go for it with little thought, but the chances are we’re missing an important opportunity.
There are hundreds of networking encounters in the business world. They could be meetings with potential customers, important sales pitches, or even bumping into someone in the elevator.
Making the most of them could be just the opportunity you need to boost your success.
However, leaving it to chance is what the majority of people will do – so how can you be different?
Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Before you enter the room choose an attitude of confidence (even if you’re not really feeling it) I often suggest thinking of something or someone you’re really proud of. It could be an achievement, a family member or even a place – whatever you choose it should be something that makes you feel good about yourself.
- Enter the room with your shoulders back and head held high. Even increasing your height up an inch (try it – it really works!)
- As you go into the room be purposeful – set out with the intent of going up to someone and warmly introducing yourself. If you are worried about strangers don’t – they are only friends you have yet to meet! The more you do this the easier it gets
- The most influential word in the English speaking world is YOU. Use it frequently rather than the potentially least influential word which is ‘I’
- Don’t be afraid of moving on – short effective interesting conversations are more fun than being bogged down with one person throughout the event.
- And don’t forget ‘How are you’ is a greeting – not an opportunity to discuss all your ailments!
So next time you are in a networking situation (probably as soon as today or tomorrow) try these out and see the difference for yourself. Then drop me a line (jon@jon-hammond.com) and let me know how it felt.
