It's all about the best!
Networking people, networking. It is time to bring the best in you!
It is time to bring the best in you
I find myself doing this network thing a lot, you know going to conferences, meetings, dinner events and so on. Here I am sitting or standing in front of someone I have just met, and we are starting to present ourselves to each other and we are doing that work for the net, our net, and I am wondering, I am wondering if we really give the best of us when meeting with others?
Since I am an Etiquette consultant, and I believe that I have a mission. A mission for all of us to be successful, kind and pleasant. I hereby give you tips for bringing the best in you in any given situation:
- Introduction – please introduce yourself with your first and last name, and wear a smile while doing it as your name will be pronounced more clearly. Plus I love hearing my name, so when I present myself, a good way for making me feel at ease would be repeating my name.
- Shaking hands – touch, make a connection. Feel the handshake, make sure it has a nice feel. If you are seated, please stand up (if possible). Please do not offer your hand for a handshake above a table. Make that extra effort of approaching your partner.
- Letting other people join in– opening circles of introductions and letting other join the conversation makes you a good host in that little spot you have just conquered. A nice thing to do would be, to introduce those you have already met to others in your little territory and when you feel it's time, move on nicely to another spot or circle, mingle around. Say excuse me when you dance away, and look for new faces.
- Choose your words – I met this guy once, which had a very impressive look, we started to talk and I found out what he was doing, which was very interesting.He started to get carried away with his examples and explanations, and then started to use words like "Shit" and "Fuck" (excuse me, this is reality talking). Very quickly I found myself not too interested in what he had to say. Come-on man, I just told you I am an etiquette consultant, please don't use that language with me, Thank you!
- When talking about your competition, whether you have been asked about it, or it has been brought up by you during the conversation, make sure to talk positively about them. Present your strengths and not their weakness.
- Yes you can stop using the word "NO". This is how it should be done: "I truly believe in what I do" instead of " I do not believe in the way my competitors work". Instead of "I do not use salt in my cooking" Say " I add sugar to my cooking". It is very easy to make this place a positive world.
- Believe in yourself and love what you do, because then when you will talk about your doing, people will believe you and will remember your words.
- Hiding behind your mobile – know that uncomfortable feeling that comes to our body when we don't know anyone in the room, and then our best friend comes to help – the MOBILE. Well let me tell you this to your face, your mobile is your enemy, put it away and mingle.
- Business cards are really important when going to different occasions. The way you hand your business card to others and of course the way you accept a business card which is being offered to you. Please relate to the card that has just been handed to you, respect it and make sure not to write any remark on the card, if you need to take notes, make sure you have a small notebook with you. Last but not least, in case you have forgotten your business cards or don't have any, please don't write your contact information on a piece of paper. Have the person in front of you know that you don't have your business cards with you and that you will be pleased to send your contacts information via mail, when you get to your computer.
Hallelujah for that! - You have just returned home/office with all these business cards you have collected. It is important to build a good network, people who will inspire you will be your future customers or partners. Therefore, you have to learn to identify those who are exact for your doing. When sending a "nice to meet you" email, after the meeting, make sure the first email you send is a personal email and not from a newsletter mailing list. Make that extra effort to give the other person feel important.
When meeting people, remember bring out the best in you, be positive, use your manners, do your thing. Work your Net and make sure to enjoy every minute of it, dance to your success.
Tips for Networking
