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Pam Woods from Conquest Business Events has over 14 years’ experience of running networking clubs. Below she shares her top tips for effective business networking.
1. When you introduce yourself to a group, tell them more about HOW you work rather than the details of what you do. We know what a networking organiser does, but the most important thing for me to say to people who don't know about my work is that my clubs are relaxed and not cliquey, with no rules about attendance or anything else really!
2. Be interested in other people and listen to what they say. Waiting for an opportunity to jump in means we may not hear something important - and it shows!
3. Never dismiss anyone as 'not relevant to my business' - they may have a contact who is just the person you need to speak to. For example, one networking member asked once for an introduction to a specific buyer at a company and was delighted when someone said 'he goes to my golf club, I'll introduce you'.
4. Look for ways to help other networkers. Would it help them to speak to someone you know? If you help someone else they will remember you and wish to return the favour.
5. Ask people to have a one-to-one coffee with you, perhaps after the meeting, to see if there is any synergy between your businesses. You may have more in common than you thought and if you both target the same market, you can share experience and possibly eventually, after building up trust, contacts.
6. Build up trust by offering to send a phone number or name and remembering to do it, or by simply being around so people feel they know you.
For more information and advice email Pam at pam@businessclubs.biz
