Networking??????

?Love it, hate it, scared of it, survive it?

A comment from a colleague made me start thinking more about this recently, He mentioned I was like a chameleon and could adjust to any audience with confidence and create buy in. They wanted to know how I did it with such confidence, and it really got me thinking???

Why don’t I get scared in front of audiences? Why is networking fun for me?

So I really started to question myself on why, I found it came back to my early days of having to network in order to establish my company, and before that working in the pharmaceutical arena where I was often challenged by doctors on very difficult topics. Between the 2 I learnt adaptability, resilience, and sincerity could give me the edge and solve problems/get business.

Why are these 3 things so crucial for making networking a good thing for you (even if it stills scares you a bit)

Adaptability

People are mostly bored with your elevator pitch, and they don’t want to be sold to, especially over a few (free) drinks. So turn your knowledge on its head and look for something that might help them. Such as making a statement that shares knowledge, for example- ‘the biggest issue I am seeing at the moment is…… has this impacted you too? My clients are doing xxx to help resolve it. Have you also tried that? Or have you seen anything that works and makes a difference?’

This also has the benefit of opening up a conversation and showing interest in the other people’s problems.

Resilience

Sometimes you walk up to a group and they are clearly just not interested, or you just can’t strike up any conversation not matter what you try. Instead of being deflated and blaming yourself, take a moment to realise you are not responsible for others, you can only be the best you can be and if people don’t warm to that, take your light somewhere else. Smile nicely introduce yourself politely and ask them how they are finding the event. Smile and nod, then make a polite exit. Head held high and look for your people.

(Hint- the better you get at networking the less this happens)

Sincerity

Networking is often full of fake questions hiding people’s desperate need to find business or contacts. Not surprising so many people struggle with it!

So how do you show sincerity in this environment? First you need to be genuinely interested in others for the sake of them. You really want to generate a conversation that leads to something positive for them, regardless of it is business or a restaurant recommendation. This means ensuring your mindset is aligned, trying self-talk often helps here-

‘Ok I am going to an event that makes me anxious/nervous/feel out of place, I acknowledge that, but I also want to be able to add to someone’s day and hopefully help them with something, and be able to walk away knowing I did something for someone else. How can I achieve that?’

?If you keep thinking about this, you will naturally be showing sincerity as you are looking for a way to brighten some else’s day.

This is a little like servant leadership, by helping others you are ultimately also helping yourself.

I remember one networking event, I got a call 6 months later from an accountant I had met, he asked if he could recommend me to his client to help guide the re-structuring process. I had not sold to the accountant, but I had talked about the biggest issues my other clients face in a general sort of way. We had a good general business discussion and that was enough for him to not only remember me, but also feel confident enough that I could work with him to help his client succeed.

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For me Adaptability, Resilience and Sincerity work, and give me confidence, but as everyone is different, I am sure there might be something you can add just for yourself. So you can feel good about networking.

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