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Network Event Do’s and Don’ts

Some people have an innate ability to walk into a room full of strangers and start connecting and uncovering business contacts galore. They seem to glide through the room, smiling, freely introducing themselves, while holding conversation. These people know how to read a room and individuals naturally. Then, there are people who move through events quickly, collecting an astounding number of business cards while shaking hand after hand. The difference between the two personalities couldn’t be more stark. One is making new contacts, the other is doing little more than trying to bag new clients. It’s obvious which one will benefit and which one won’t.

The purpose of networking events is to do just that: meet new people and have conversations. It’s how you go about it that makes all the difference. Connecting with people is an art form, and, is learned over time. Before there’s any real connection, though, you’ve got to be prepared to meet new people.

Network Event Do’s and Don’ts

There’s a huge difference between meeting new people and connecting with them. Meeting a group of new people is even more of a challenge than meeting a single person or a very small group. Attending a networking event is something that stirs excitement and anxiety. These events tend to be noisy, where it’s not easy to hold a conversation. What’s more, you’re expected to participate and interact with several people.

We network because we don’t work and live in a silo. Due to human nature, we tend to trust doing business with people we know or who are referred to us. People often think of the need to network whenever their jobs are in jeopardy, or whenever they’re in search of new business. —Career Builder

When you go to a networking event, you do so to open new doors. There won’t be time to establish a relationship and connect with others, but there will be plenty of opportunity to introduce yourself and hold brief, casual conversations. To accomplish this simple, yet challenging feat, you ought to know the do’s and don’ts of event networking.

Network Event Do’s

Go prepared. You ought to have a brief list of topics to discuss and/or experiences to share. It’s okay to go over these out loud and practice introducing yourself. Just don’t practice too much, or, it will sound rehearsed and artificial.
Keep one hand free at all times. Keep your dominant hand free of snacks, drinks, and other objects. You’ll be able to freely shake hands without having an awkward moment to find a place to temporarily set something down.
Know who to approach. Just because someone is standing alone doesn’t mean you ought to rush over to approach. Take a moment to read his or her face and body language. When you do make eye contact, confidently approach and introduce yourself.
Look for opportunities to offer help. One of the most powerful and likable gestures is to ask questions and offer your assistance. Only offer to help when it’s realistic and be sure to follow-up. Don’t make the mistake of over-promising or over-extending.

Network Event Don’ts

Believe collecting business cards is a measure of success. Remember, the purpose of attending these events is to meet people — not just to collect business cards. If that’s all you accomplish, the whole exercise is for naught.

Be on the lookout for someone else while speaking with another. If you do have the misfortune of getting into a boring conversation, find a gracious and courteous way to excuse yourself. What you should avoid is awkwardly scanning the room for someone else to speak with to break away.

Try to impress others with jargon or facts. Using big words, insider jargon, or trying to impress with a barrage of facts is a turn off. It’s pretentious and tells others you lack self confidence. What’s more, it keeps you from having a genuine conversation.

Speak over or interrupt others. This sounds obvious, but, it’s something that can be unintentional when you’re nervous. When you do approach someone else and introduce yourself, be courteous, ask polite questions, and listen.

Yes, the purpose of attending Network Events is ultimately to acquire new business. However, do not go to a Network Event if that is your initial purpose. Your priority for attending a Network Event is to develop Relationships which you can foster over time into a business opportunity with that connection or with someone they introduce to you. Minimize your agenda, and spend time listening and asking the other person questions about themselves and their business. Show them genuine interest and watch how your relationship moves to trust even during the Network Event.

Isn’t it more rewarding to leave a Network Event with 3 or 4 really good, meaningful connections where both of you developed a relationship and can follow up after the event to further explore opportunities together?

When is the last time you attended a Network Event and made some meaningful connections that turned into real business?

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Business Succession Pros and Cons

April 15, 2021 No Comments

If you are part of a family business, and don’t have anyone related to pass it onto, you might consider a business succession plan as an option. Business secession is the process of transferring the company over to a new group of owners and/or operators. It could be anyone, from a competitor, to a family friend who’d like to take over the business. Regardless, it means turning over the reins to another person or party. So, it’s best to have a fundamental understanding of the process itself and its net effects. Business Succession Advantages Perhaps the biggest benefit of succession planning is knowing who will continue the business, particularly if you’re concerned about maintaining its good reputation. Additionally, it also motivates employees to do their best, because those with key roles who will run the company in the future will most definitely take their responsibilities seriously. If you were a business owner who was considering putting your company on the market but decided not to sell (or at least not anytime soon), what steps should be you taking now? The goals are to ensure preservation of the current business, as well as provide for an orderly and stable future transition when the proper time to sell arrives. —Kiplinger Yet another advantage of business secession is having peace of mind as to what happens to the company after you retire, or in the event you become disabled or die. (This is not only true for you as the current owner, but also, for your customers.) Plus, it helps to put in place processes that are known quantities, and therefore sets the successors up for a successful future. Business Succession Disadvantages Of course, there are drawbacks to everything, including business succession planning and eventual execution. Here are the three most common downsides of business succession you should know about: Turnover. Not everyone inside the business will receive a key role in the future. That can damage company morale once the plan is revealed to the company at-large. Moreover, it could cause good people to leave for other opportunities. No guarantees. Even if every single aspect is outlined and detailed, this does not guarantee the business will continue to be successful. After all, turning over the management means relinquishing leadership, which opens the possibility of failure. At the very least, a risk the business will suffer instead of flourish. Inappropriate strategy. Perhaps the most disconcerting thing about succession planning is the very real possibility of selecting the wrong people to run the company. Sure, the personnel chosen might well be top-notch producers and good with mentoring others, but might not be up to the challenge of actually running an established company. What else would you add to the pros and cons of business succession planning? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Less Texting More Face Time Equals More Success in Business

September 12, 2017 No Comments

No, I am not talking about the Facetime application … I am talking real, live one-on-one face time! Texting has become as normal a standard in our world as eating and sleeping, and in some cases it has become more important to some people than eating or sleeping! With texting, the level of trust is low. Texting does not allow for relationship building and real relationship building is required to develop trust. Texting only provides tentative, at best, minimal trust. It’s important to understand that low trust does not translate to success in business! Why Personal Contact Always Beats Out Texting in Business Ok, I am as guilty as anyone using text to communicate. Texting is an efficient and immediate form of communication that allows the sender and recipient to respond on their own terms. It’s very convenient. The benefits of texting are numerous, but the problems that texting develop or cause are now beginning to surface as we track data; auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, sleeplessness, lack of productivity, poor communication skills … and now less success in business due to limited and poor planning! Texting has its place, but not while walking, driving, during meetings, or especially at the dinner table. You want to improve your relationships with family, friends, and business associates, along with clients/customers? Call them, meet them for coffee or lunch, and build a relationship with eye-to-eye contact instead of sending texts. We never talk any more: The problem with text messaging – From CNN Tech Web site By Jeffrey Kluger As texting use rises, the phone call is becoming a dying institution American age 18-29 send an average of nearly 88 text messages a day Psychologists worry social skills in young texters won’t develop Habitual texters may hurt relationships, miss out on new ones Because texting is convenient and can be done almost anywhere, it tends to substitute proper planning in advance for last minute texting to coordinate meetings, directions, critical information, etc. Recently, it hit me why last minute texting is a pet peeve of mine. Why? It minimizes our need to plan because we expect immediate responses. So why plan in advance when you can text at the last minute? Is it not more convenient? Does this rationalization sound familiar? Let me provide a real-world example. When texting or cell phones didn’t exist, we all had to plan out our days, our travel, our meetings … our whole day-to-day life. It required goal setting and developing a plan because there was no cell or text to connect at the last minutes. We had to pre-plan even if the plan was just meeting someone for lunch, or meeting someone at an event. Today, I hear many people say, “We’ll figure it out; I’ll text you.” Real success occurs when you plan in advance by writing down your goals and when you have a plan to achieve those goals. Or in the case of meeting or connecting with someone, you plan in advance so that you minimize the use of text while driving to the meeting! Achieving Your Goals Statistics show more than 70 percent of people never have goals. And, only 28 percent say they have some kind of goals, with just a meager 2 percent having written goals. Moreover, it’s estimated that this 2 percent controls over 90 percent of all income. Goals require planning. This includes planning your weekly business calendar of priorities which are part of your strategy to achieve you goals. So, if you have a plan, you can easily set a meeting and location based on your schedule. If you have no plan, and your plan is to “figure it out and text” at the last minute, then your potential for success diminishes greatly. Align your plan with your goals, by scheduling your plan in a calendar. Instead of texting for directions or meeting locations or times at the last minute, usually while driving and walking, pre-plan your meeting in advance and call or e-mail the information. Then use the time while driving to clear your mind and prepare for your meeting. That will produce far more effective and successful meetings than texting at the last minute. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” –Benjamin Franklin Try this for 2 weeks Take 1 hour to plan your week by pre-scheduling all the priorities you need to accomplish in your plan for achieving your goals for the next two weeks. Put each priority in your schedule under a block of time. Allow time for travel, meals, errands, family, work outs, etc. (This takes thinking in advance, but by pre-planning, you will address any logistical challenges in preparing your plan and be able to adjust prior to your meeting or event.) Call and use your voice to communicate your plans with those you are meeting. When you get to the meeting or event, avoid texting and focus on eye contact and listening to your client, customer, vendor, or associate. In doing so, you will have less stress, higher productivity and greater success … with less aggravating, last minute, in between traffic lights and phone call texts … I guarantee it! So, put down your mobile device and start planning for Less texting and more real face time that will help you succeed in business!

How to Patch-Up a Sour Business Relationship for the New Year

January 6, 2022 No Comments

Just about any type of relationship can go bad at practically any time. Business relationships are no exception to this sad phenomenon. Even Dave Ramsey says often, “The only ship that won’t sail is a partnership.” Statistics certainly prove this point true. But, it’s not just professional partnerships. Small business owners enter into many working relationships and any one of them can go bad. So, if you experienced this type of situation, there are ways to get back to doing business together, though both of you will need to make a commitment to make it work. Alternatives, Options, and Change If the relationship is irreconcilable, or it’s just not possible to do business again (because of an extraordinary circumstance like death, retirement, or the person has gone out of business), you’ll have to rely on other options, which can mean going with an alternative. But, before you jump right into another relationship, it’s usually best to try and work things out first. The common thread among all damaged relationships is the trust between both parties has been broken. Trust is the underrated lubricant for success in business, and rebuilding that trust is the first step in repairing any business relationship.–Inc.com After all, if you had a working relationship with this individual before, you both benefited from it and it makes sense to continue so neither one of you is forced to start from scratch again. However, if this isn’t feasible or even possible, make a list of alternative options and write down each one’s pros and cons. Make some preliminary contact and explore working together. You could even give one or more a trial run in order to determine how well it does or doesn’t work. How to Patch-Up a Sour Business Relationship Now, if there is a possibility that the relationship can be reconciled, there’s no real good reason not to try. Although, it will take quite a bit of commitment from both parties in order to have a viable future. Here is some effective advice for how to mend a broken business relationship: Start with introspection. Humans are keen on shifting blame away from themselves. People not only dislike making mistakes, but they also do not like being in the wrong. So, it’s up to you to take a good look at yourself first and be willing to accept any blame you deserve. Be humble but honest in your approach. Next, try to reconnect on a casual basis. If you have mutual interests, that’s a good place to start to reconnect. If necessary, take a gradual, measured approach and go slow. When the time is right, you can have a more candid discussion about what transpired but, don’t be blameful. Agree to leave the past behind for the sake of the future. Both of you will have to keep this promise in order to have any chance of working together again. Make it a point to put sensitive topics or events off-limits and focus on your future working relationship instead. Keep an open line of communication flowing. Once you agree to work together again, don’t let the same things get in the way. Stay in regular contact so that everyone’s expectations and needs are known. This will be a great way to help the relationship flourish and be beneficial to both parties. What other advice would you give entrepreneurs about patching up a sour business relationship? Please share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Network Event Do’s and Don’ts

Network Event Do’s and Don’ts

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Less Texting More Face Time Equals More Success in Business

How to Patch-Up a Sour Business Relationship for the New Year

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