What you say is less important ...

Have you ever agonised about what you are going to say to others at a networking meeting? Perhaps you have changed your mind as you listened to others. This could be in a 1 or 2 minute presentation or when someone asks the dreaded question, "what do you do?".

What you say is not the most important thing. What others say when you are not there is key. So spend less time trying to craft the perfect pitch and more time listening to others to find a connection and spark a conversation. It's during the conversation you find ways to help and demonstrate your value. People remember and talk about that far more then your initial pitch.

Success in business networking is not down to what you say about you, it's what others say. That makes what you do more important than what you say.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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Something we don't know about you

Have you ever been to a business networking event and left feeling that you didn't really get to know anyone? The conversations at business networking events can be very dull if everyone just talks about their business.

At the more 'formal' part of NRG Business Networking Events we have an aide memoire to help people introduce themselves and their business. This includes the usual business stuff - name, business, target market and ideal connections. It also invites the person to share something about themselves that we would not know in the ordinary course of business. Often this is when people come alive, smile and reveal their true nature. Especially when they talk about one of their passions.

That often is the spark for a conversation with someone and a real connection where you get to know and like each other. It's those connections that lead to follow up and a good business relationship based on trust where you become advocates. That's when networking really starts to work.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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How does this networking work then?

In a recent three way conversation at a networking breakfast someone asked "how does this (networking) work?" and one of the others, a wealth management professional, told a quick story.

He explained that he had met an estate planning consultant about 6 months ago. He had got to know him and introduced a few people. He was then invited to a conference of lawyers, accountants and other professionals with an interest in estate planning. He had got to know a few of them and made a few more introductions. Recently the Estate Planner had given him a referral into one of the specialist family law firms he was hoping to build a relationship with.

He finished by saying "So that's it in a nutshell. I go to the networking groups where I will meet the right people for me, get to know some of the others, find out what they need and help where I can. Then good stuff happens for me."

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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