I've spent the last 6 weeks networking quite intensively. To do this I've used conventional means such as attending events organized by networking groups in NI. I've worked through referrals but I've also met quite a few people via social media and Twitter in particular. During this period I've met people who have delivered a masterclass in how to network and others who have demonstrated just how not to.
I thought I'd knock up my top tips on how to network well based on my experiences over the past 6 weeks. They're meant for discussion as much as anything else so if you think I've missed something please let me know.
TIPS - MY TOP 12
1. Preparation is important - make sure you have the venue right, you know where it is and you have the person's mobile number in case of problems on the day.
2. It's an obvious thing to say but don't be late. If you expect to be, contact the person you are meeting to let them know. Lateness makes a statement that your time is more important than theirs and is an awful start to a meeting
3. Once in the meeting switch you mobile to silent. If you expect to have to take a call during the meeting tell them in advance that there's a really important call coming in which you simply must take.
4. Make sure you have some knowledge of what it is the person you are meeting does and their business. There's nothing worse than asking the question "So how do you think we might be able to do something together?" to get the reply "Well to be honest I don't really know what you do"!
5. Don't talk at the person or over them but listen to what they have to say. Ask lots of questions & probe around before you get as far as even a tentative proposal on something.
6. By all means talk about yourself but mix it. Ask questions about the other person, their business and what they do. Never ever just talk about yourself and leave a meeting thinking it was productive.
7. Practice your active listening skills by summarizing back to the person you're meeting key points
8. Ask yourself how the person might be able to help you but ask them how they think you can help them.
9. Try and remember something about them or their business so that next time you meet you return to a matter that you discussed.
10. Avoid negative remarks about competitors or anyone you might have a common interest in. What goes around comes around.
11. At the meeting summarise what it is you've each agreed do. This will help clarify all matters and make you look like you plan to carry out what is agreed.
12. Next day email the person with the summary of agreed points and any contact details necessary.
Friday, 13 November 2009
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
No.178 Of Twittering Neighbours
I've finally met my match. Someone who can out talk me on Twitter. I met him at Shel Israel's presentation last night entitled "Twitterville". Top bloke and wow does he like to parlez Twitter.
Shel's presentation was great. He was very self deprecating and he gave it plenty of wellie which I always like to see.
Yikes! Someone has just Twittered to say how much I resemble Karl Kennedy from Neighbours. Wasn't he an inveterate womaniser? He was when I last watched the show about 15 years ago. He might have calmed down a bit since then.
Finally another day of no meetings except one with a blonde : my hairdresser. Wonder if she thinks I look like Karl Kennedy...
Shel's presentation was great. He was very self deprecating and he gave it plenty of wellie which I always like to see.
Yikes! Someone has just Twittered to say how much I resemble Karl Kennedy from Neighbours. Wasn't he an inveterate womaniser? He was when I last watched the show about 15 years ago. He might have calmed down a bit since then.
Finally another day of no meetings except one with a blonde : my hairdresser. Wonder if she thinks I look like Karl Kennedy...
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
No.177 Of Chips & Good Cheer
Last night I took a notion as they say in Northern Ireland. Took a notion that is, for a bag of chips. Only here I'm not too well versed in chip shop terminology and I wasn't sure whether I should be asking for a portion of chips (sounds a bit posh to me) a bag of chips or just chips. So I hedged my bets and said "a load of chips please" quickly and a tad slurred in case it sounded a bit out of place. The woman on the till promptly and loudly converted the request into something the fryers behind her would understand and they and everyone else in the chippy knew what I really meant which was "single chip". Single chip by the way is £2.10. They don't make it sound like you get a lot for your money that's for sure.
This morning I got up to 40 lengths in the pool. Hurrah someting to cheer about with my new fitness regime. I'm hoping that if nothing else when I do only 30 tomorrow it will make me feel like I've had an easy swim rather than a hard one.
No meetings today just a seminar this evening by Shel Israel author of a book on Twitter. Time to finish this blog, Tweet and then do some proper work.
This morning I got up to 40 lengths in the pool. Hurrah someting to cheer about with my new fitness regime. I'm hoping that if nothing else when I do only 30 tomorrow it will make me feel like I've had an easy swim rather than a hard one.
No meetings today just a seminar this evening by Shel Israel author of a book on Twitter. Time to finish this blog, Tweet and then do some proper work.
Monday, 9 November 2009
No.176 Of Red Cows & Orange Faces
We finished last week exhausted but on a high. The feedback from delegates who attended the first of our Annual Reviews of Employment Law at the Red Cow was astonishing. Everything averaged well over 4 out of 5 with hosting weighing in so far with a 4.97! The overall results are here. Rock on Legal-Island.
Saturday I spent shopping. Yuk! Belfast was mobbed as was Boots. There must have been an explosion in the cosmetics department of Boots shortly before I walked in because all the assistants were covered in orange face paint. Handy if there's a black out I suppose - just look for the glows behind the tills. I was in there for 10 minutes but I'm not sure if I could have done another 5 without exploding myself. Why is it that people at the top of a queue can't understand the words "Who's Next Please?" or are too busy chatting to each other to hear "Cashier No.6 please?" Then when you try to assist by telling them there's a cashier free they look at you like you're some kind of Morron. Rant over.
Sunday I spent with friends on the North Antrim coast. I don't think there's anywhere more beautiful when the weather's good at this time of year. Driving back from the coast through Bushmills I got caught right in the middle of the Rememberance Parade. There was some war vets, followed by some marching members of the girls brigade then me in the MG. I wondered if onlookers thought the MG had played it's part in the war or something.
Saturday I spent shopping. Yuk! Belfast was mobbed as was Boots. There must have been an explosion in the cosmetics department of Boots shortly before I walked in because all the assistants were covered in orange face paint. Handy if there's a black out I suppose - just look for the glows behind the tills. I was in there for 10 minutes but I'm not sure if I could have done another 5 without exploding myself. Why is it that people at the top of a queue can't understand the words "Who's Next Please?" or are too busy chatting to each other to hear "Cashier No.6 please?" Then when you try to assist by telling them there's a cashier free they look at you like you're some kind of Morron. Rant over.
Sunday I spent with friends on the North Antrim coast. I don't think there's anywhere more beautiful when the weather's good at this time of year. Driving back from the coast through Bushmills I got caught right in the middle of the Rememberance Parade. There was some war vets, followed by some marching members of the girls brigade then me in the MG. I wondered if onlookers thought the MG had played it's part in the war or something.
Friday, 6 November 2009
No.175 Of the Big Five
Yesterday we hosted the first of our Big Five. "Annual Review of Employment Law 2009" started this year at the Red Cow Hotel, Dublin and what an opener it proved to be. The Hotel was in top shape and really looked after us as we looked after our delegates. The notes were first class and the programme, (though devised almost six months ago) was right on the money.
The day however belonged to the speakers who were on blistering form and one in particular, Marguerite Bolger S.C who took the second session on equality issues. When eavesdropping at the first coffee break the talk was all about Marguerite's presentation. When I asked delegates over lunch what they had enjoyed most that far they answered Marguerite's presentation. When I checked the scores today from the delegate evaluation forms it was Marguerite's name topping the list. When I asked the hosters who they enjoyed most they replied Marguerite. The only person not to answer Marguerite was our sound engineer Arnold. He answered "I can't remember her name but she did the second session".
The day however belonged to the speakers who were on blistering form and one in particular, Marguerite Bolger S.C who took the second session on equality issues. When eavesdropping at the first coffee break the talk was all about Marguerite's presentation. When I asked delegates over lunch what they had enjoyed most that far they answered Marguerite's presentation. When I checked the scores today from the delegate evaluation forms it was Marguerite's name topping the list. When I asked the hosters who they enjoyed most they replied Marguerite. The only person not to answer Marguerite was our sound engineer Arnold. He answered "I can't remember her name but she did the second session".
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
No.174 Of Big Gaffs and Big Days
I've been out networking this week. I had a meeting with someone who was keen to supply us with a service. All was going well until he said "Who is it you work for again, The Law Society?" There's nothing like holding a grenade in one hand and pulling the pin out with the other.
The big day looms. Today I predict furious activity as we gather all the gear for tomorrow's conference stuff it in two vans and head for Dublin. We've done this event many times but each time we try something new so it's never boring. Tomorrow for the first time we have a mindmapper working with the audience, presentations that are recorded for one-to-one feedback from a presentations coach as well as workplace psychologists mulling around. Bring it on!
The big day looms. Today I predict furious activity as we gather all the gear for tomorrow's conference stuff it in two vans and head for Dublin. We've done this event many times but each time we try something new so it's never boring. Tomorrow for the first time we have a mindmapper working with the audience, presentations that are recorded for one-to-one feedback from a presentations coach as well as workplace psychologists mulling around. Bring it on!
Monday, 2 November 2009
No.173 Of Ten Green Bottles
I'm always forgetting my shower gel when I go swimming. Usually I leave it in the shower at the swimming baths. Occasionally I forget to take it altogether. Today was one of those days.
This is serious matter when a shower after a swim without any means of scrubbing off the chemicals leaves you itching all day. I asked the lady at the counter if by any chance they sold soap. She said she didn't but went to a lost and found cabinet to reveal about 10 bottles of shower gel others had left behind - 3 of which I immediately recognised as my own. "I'll have the green re-energise gel" I said. She seemed surprised that I could read the label from such a distance.
It's a big week this week here on the Island with the first of our Annual Review Conferences in Dublin where everything will be discussed from redundancies right through to discrimination and equality issues. It's a sell out so it's in at the deep end stuff. Hold tight everyone here we go....
This is serious matter when a shower after a swim without any means of scrubbing off the chemicals leaves you itching all day. I asked the lady at the counter if by any chance they sold soap. She said she didn't but went to a lost and found cabinet to reveal about 10 bottles of shower gel others had left behind - 3 of which I immediately recognised as my own. "I'll have the green re-energise gel" I said. She seemed surprised that I could read the label from such a distance.
It's a big week this week here on the Island with the first of our Annual Review Conferences in Dublin where everything will be discussed from redundancies right through to discrimination and equality issues. It's a sell out so it's in at the deep end stuff. Hold tight everyone here we go....
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
