Networking: few tips you can implement immediately

85% of relationships are established through direct acquaintances and #networking – says researches.

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But how to do it & be good at it - networking? Let’s talk about it from our, Workland Offices experience.

At the community events we always try to introduce members to each other (it's a little funny, but today I was festively named the new position of "dating director"). We all had a good laugh about the new duties, but to get a little bit more serious:

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During our events, members gather in small groups of 2-5 people. There are also large companies of one company and new members timidly observing somewhere further from the epicenter of the event. The event is like a sea where you can see larger and smaller groups of people, which seem to form "islands".

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- It is much more comfortable to go to an event if you already know someone there. If you still don't know her, I would advise you to get to know one person first - the host of that event and tell her what field of communication contacts you are looking for. Most of the time, the host will show you where these people are. When introducing at my events, I also make sure that the person does not stay too long in one group. The average duration of event is 1-1.5 hours.

- There is absolutely no need to be upset if a closer connection was not established during the first meeting. This is natural, my experience shows that the second time you meet the same person, communication is much more fun, because "you already know each other".

- I always suggest connecting through LinkedIn after getting to know each other. It's a great way to keep in touch and remember not only the person, but also have their image and the ability to write a direct message.

- When going to an event - invite someone with whom you would like to "renew connections" and visit the event together. People tend to forget the connections they have already made, but the connection you already have can help you make new contacts/meet new people much faster. Go through your phone's address book or #LinkedIn contact list to find new connections.

- Learn to introduce yourself briefly, unobtrusively present your service (or the sphere in which you work) and clearly state your purpose for participating in this event. Everyone understand that simply saying "I'm looking for customers to buy...” will not give any great results. Thus I would recommend - "I would like to calculate alternative solutions” or “I am interested in how such and such an issue is resolved in your company". Of course, you can always say "I just came to have a #good #time" and that will also be true. However, through communication and indirect questions it is easy to understand whether your service will be relevant, and if so, offer it tactfully. Sincerity is very important in any communication, be genuinely interested in your interlocutor.

- Networking also has the same rule as almost everything has: communicating and getting to know new members is difficult only at the beginning "everything is hard before it is easy"(Brain Tracy). The more events you participate in, the faster you will progress.

- Don't stress yourself out about having to do #small #talk, think of it as a game, communication is an art learned through practice like any other skill.

- And this does not mean at all that you participate in networking just to create business connections. If you buy a ticket and go to the other end of the city, you probably want to make business connections, but if networking takes place right in your work kitchen (at #Workland it happens at least several times a month, sometimes more often), then you can simply find more acquaintances with whom you can have lunch or chat together from time to time. This is relevant for those who work alone, and the work is not related to the search for new customers, sales. Then I would recommend starting the conversation with questions like "do you have a book you would recommend to read, I'm just looking for a new book" or "what series on #Netflix is worth watching."

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I hope these advices will encourage you to finally try #networking #events & feel way more comfortable there.

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In Workland centres, of which we have 6 in Lithuania, Christmas Brunch events are in full swing: 4 has already happened, 2 more to go next week!

#business #bettertogether #connections #youroffice #coworking #coworkingspace #businessdevelopment?