The Second Commandment of Networking

Welcome back. We are now onto the Second Commandment of Networking. Lee Knapps of Knapps Consultants said “Determine your objective prior to every networking opportunity. Ask yourself, why am I here and what do I hope to accomplish?”

When I go to a Networking event one of my main objectives is to create name recognition for my company. When people think about internet technology, such as blogging, video e-mail, social networking sites, I want them to think about Get Smart Women and soon to be Get Smart Men. One way in which to do this is to have a creative one minute commercial. I know that’s a tough one. Sometimes what you think is funny no one else does. I have had a few flops of my own and when I was done and looked around the room and everyone had that polite little smile on their face I realized they had no idea what I do. Lee subjects that you keep it simple but memorable. You can do that by focusing on one aspect of your business. Focus on how your product or service is a benefit to your customer. Remember it’s not about you it’s about your customer. I am also very interested in what people do for a living and how my company can help them achieve their goals. I believe that if I can’t help them perhaps I have meet someone at one of the networking events who can. If you pay attention to what people do for a living you would be amazed how easy it is to connect people and by doing so you have created a relationship with that person. They may not need your product or service but you can bet that they know someone who does and they will remember you.

Networking can be a joy or it can be a huge chore, It all up to you. If you go into it with the thought of creating relationships instead of trying to sell something you will find the experience much more beneficial. People don’t want to be sold, do you? They want to know that the people they are dealing with understand their needs and are there to help create solutions. So go out there and have a good time and happy networking…