Network with Honesty: Leave Your Ego At The Door
Bradley Hatchett
Networking at sporting venues connecting SMEs and engaging stadiums with their business community | Founder @ Network My Club | Creator of The Networker | Sport Industry NextGen Alumni
I bet I can predict something you hear very often at business networking events. Something I hear all too often.?
And that’s what seems to have become the automated response when someone is asked “how is business?”?
Cue a response along the lines of “oh I’m super busy…couldn’t be busier…absolutely manic.”?
Well, newsflash. People don’t want to hear how busy you are.?Or how many clients you have. Or how you’re drowning in new business.?
Let alone the record month, quarter or year you’ve recently had.
When someone says things like that to me at a networking event I immediately think “why are you here then? It doesn’t seem like I can help you. Or that you need the business!”?
I’d prefer to hear something like “business has slowed down?for me at the moment, but looking to meet X to grow X part of our business.”??
Or “things could be busier, hence why I’m here looking to meet new people?and unearth new opportunities. In particular I’m looking to meet X.”??
And there's nothing wrong with being busy, having record months and still going networking. Arguably that's the best time to be doing so as you can build relationships before you need them. Not the other way around which is typically when people start.
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You can't just switch building relationships on and off.
But it's just people don't need to hear all about how busy you are. Immediately, with the above responses?I know how I may be able to help you.?
And people are so much more inclined to engage when you show humility and reveal a?problem?they might be able to help with.??
So, next time you catch yourself about to tell someone how?incredibly?busy you are. Think, will they be able to help you with that information??
People at networking events are ultimately there for the same reason. Trying to seek out new opportunities for their business. Try and help each other?achieve that.?
Because believe it or not, people want to know how they can help you.?
Give them a chance. Start by leaving your ego at the door.?
?? Challenging the norm of HMO management
2 年Great post mate ????
Empowering Business Owners to Realise Their Dreams | Fractional CFO/FD | Strategic Guidance | Growth Planning | Exit Strategy Formulation | Cultivating Business Expansion | Business Advisory Partner | Growth Mentorship
2 年Great article Bradley. Very useful and apt to what happens at these networking events.
Helping SME business owners make more profit, more cash at less business risk. By optimising the financial management ,helping business owners feel more in control and happier. We call this Finance Function Success.
2 年Thanks for sharing Bradley .