Step outside the office to maximize your connections.
? Derek Dickow
I help people and organizations raise their profile and generate more revenue by building Power Connections. Book a call with me at DerekDickow.com
Meeting someone outside the office, whether it be on the links, at a ballgame, or in a fishing boat is a great way to build a connection over a shared hobby or interest. However, if you do it wrong, you might ruin the opportunity or set the relationship back.
Bonding over a shared experience is a great way to build your network. Getting out of a traditional business setting helps to put your contact at ease. The smell of cut grass on a golf course or the sea salt from the ocean lets your contact drop their guard so you can build a stronger bond. It’s important to follow my easy ground rules to make sure you’re not wasting both of your time:
Set the Ground Rules.
At the outset of the invitation, confirm you are covering the costs of the event or activity. When you invite someone to an event, the expectation is you are covering costs. Even if they offer to pay half or to leave the tip, decline with respect. Let them know you’re honored to host them and that this one is on you. Unexpected costs or surprise bills are sure to sour anyone’s opinion of you. A brief confirmation at the start will go a long way to putting your contact at ease.
Get the Business out of the Way.?
Executives and successful people understand there is no such thing as a free lunch. When invited out by a potential business colleague, the expectation is that business will be discussed. Non-stop pitching or selling is rude and counterproductive. Be prepared with a compelling and concise pitch to deliver, but hold off until they open that door.?
On the first three to four holes of golf, as an example, use that time to catch up on family or whatever highlights they have going on in their world. Do they have new clubs? Ask them about it. Have they taken lessons since last year? Ask about their instructor. If you have done a good job asking good questions about them and demonstrated your interest in connecting with them over what they care about, you’ll find them asking you questions for the rest of the round.
Have Fun.?
Hopefully you picked an outing that you enjoy. Keep it light and enjoy yourself. Practice your listening skills, proper etiquette (ask if you don’t know), good sportsmanship, and limit your alcohol consumption. Even if the home team loses, you can still score a win with a good attitude. Time away from the office is priceless. And if they’ve chosen to spend that time with you, it means they like you and are willing to take it to the next level.
Next Steps.?
Golf outings, baseball games, etc., can be expensive, both in time and money. Without a concrete follow-up plan, you’re wasting your money. Based on the conversation or questions you’ve touched on, schedule your next catch up. For example, I’ll follow up with a few ideas for your consideration on Monday. Or: Expect an email tomorrow. Or: Are you available for breakfast on the 15th? All these statements are actionable items and push the relationship forward.?
If you follow these simple steps, you will have the confidence to go anywhere with anyone at any time.?
领英推荐
Golf and ball games are meant to be fun, which is why they are so effective in generating business. Don’t be afraid to show your personality, and please do not try to hit a homerun on your first at-bat. Remember: A bad day at a ballgame or on the links is still better than a good day at the office.
Derek Dickow specializes in turning people who?think?they hate networking into Power Connectors. He hosts networking events, leads 1:1 executive training, and offers corporate bootcamps designed to help organizations maximize success through networking. Derek knows that confident networking is a skill anyone can learn — and everyone needs. Download Derek’s free Networking Guide?here.
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