The Thoughts And Ideas Of The Efficiency Coach

Working the room tip 17: Exit from conversations gracefully

Heather Townsend — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:20:19 +0000

This is the 17th blog post in a series taken from my book ‘Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

Everyone at a networking event has come with the purpose of meeting people. So, no one will be offended if you don’t talk to them all evening. However, there is a technique to exiting gracefully from a conversation.

The golden rule is to never leave someone on their own. The best way to do this is to introduce them to someone else and then make your excuses to leave. If no-one comes to rescue you, there is nothing stopping you going to find another person to introduce to them – for example, in the queue for the drinks or the buffet. Or you could ask them who they would like to meet at the event, and then aim to connect them.

Always aim to give a plausible reason to exit, for example, nature calls or I’ve agreed to meet with a friend over lunch.

Action point:

If after 5 minutes of a conversation you don’t find any mutual interests or synergies, then have a go at introducing them to someone else at the event.

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

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Working the room tip 16: Make eye contact and smile

Heather Townsend — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:20:46 +0000

This is the 16th blog post in a series taken from my book ‘Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

Your never get another chance to make a first impression. Smiling at, and making eye contact with a person you have just met, is a great way to give off a professional and confident impression.

If you are in a group make eye contact with everyone in the group – and smile at everyone. You will be able to see if everyone in the group is engaged in the conversation. If you see someone being bored or ignored, bring them into the conversation. For example,

“Michelle, what’s your opinion on the government’s proposed rise in VAT?”

If you are on your own and looking for someone to talk to. Make eye contact and smile at someone else on their own – I bet you that they will come over and introduce themselves.

Action points:

When you are next looking for someone to talk to at a business or social gathering, have a go at making eye contact and smiling at someone you would like to speak to.
When talking with people in a group, check to see if everyone is interested and contributing to the conversation – invite the quieter members of the group to contribute to the discussion.

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 15: Look for pairs and open groups of people

Heather Townsend — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:20:16 +0000

This is the 15th blog post in a series taken from my book ‘Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

Everyone at a networking event is looking to meet people. So logically, most people will be very welcoming if you come up and ask to speak to them. However, there is an art form to breaking into groups and conversations.

For example, if you approach a group or pair of people, always ask if you can join them. Groups which are open, by this I mean, have a gap in the circle, are more accepting of people coming to join them.

Conversely, closed groups are less likely to want people to join them.

Action points:

At your next face-to-face networking event look for pairs and open groups to break into conversation with
When standing talking with people, aim to keep the circle open, with the gap facing into the room.

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 14: Arrive on time

Heather Townsend — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:20:17 +0000

This is the 14th blog post in a series taken from my book ‘Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

First of all, I believe that being punctual is a sign of good manners. But, putting manners to one side, it is true that the early bird gets the worm.

Groups of people start to form early in an evening. If you arrive before these groups start to close up, circulating is easier.

An event organiser may start with introductions as an ice-breaker – you don’t want to miss these introductions.

And finally, by arriving promptly you also miss out on the sight of a room stuffed full of people seemingly already involved in deep and meaningful conversations.

Action point:

Plan to arrive on time for your next face-to-face networking event

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 13: Be curious

Heather Townsend — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:20:48 +0000

This is the 13th blog post in a series taken from my book ‘Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

Networking is similar to being on a treasure hunt. There are lots of clues scattered in places, but it is only by questioning do you get to the right answer and the opportunity to move nearer to the prize.

If you go networking with the belief that everyone that you meet will be inherently interesting and is probably able to help you out in some way, you wouldn’t go far wrong. So, next time you meet a stranger at a business gathering, be curious about them and ask predominantly open questions, for example:

What do they do?
Who do you both know in common?
What do they do in their spare time?
What are they passionate about?
What are they looking to achieve by being here?
Have they any holidays planned this year?
How’s business?
Do you have a family?
What’s a typical day like for them?
What challenges do they face in their work?

Action point:

When next meeting someone, see how much you can find out about them
Buy a magazine on a subject you know nothing about and see how much you can learn from it

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 11: Apply the 5 minute rule

Heather Townsend — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:20:51 +0000

This is the 11th blog post in a series taken from my book ‘Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

If after 5 minutes of a conversation you have found no mutual interests or areas in which you can help each other, it’s time to move on. Do exit gracefully (see tip 17). As a busy female professional you normally don’t have time to dig and dig for hours until you find a connection – your purpose for networking is to meet people who can help you attract opportunities. (See tip 9)

Many people will advocate that you always exchange contacts details, and that you never know when you may need this person again. I don’t recommend exchanging contact details unless you have connected at some sort of level, and will want to follow-up the conversation. If you haven’t made a connection, it unlikely that either of you will contact each other again – or in all honesty, if you supply your contact details you will probably find yourself on their mailing list.

Action point:

At your next networking event, give yourself 5 minutes to decide on whether to carry on a conversation, and deepen a relationship.

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 10: Remember to ask for what you want

Heather Townsend — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:20:34 +0000

This is the tenth blog post in a series taken from my book ‘ Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

Everyone at a networking event is there for a reason. Switched on networkers will be looking for ways that they can strengthen the relationship with you, by helping you. As a busy female professional you can’t afford to waste your time by having pleasant conversations that don’t achieve anything.

Before you make a request, remember to be specific and clear about what help you are after. Also think about what you can do for the other person in return. When you are asking for what you want, remember to use open questions.

Here are some questions that have worked well for me in the past:

Who do you know, that you can recommend that I talk to?
Who do you know, who could benefit from my services?
I am looking for… who do you know who…?
I am looking for a job with a …. company, doing …., who do you recommend I speak to?

Action Point:

Next time you are at a networking meeting ask the question, ‘who do you know who…’

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 9: Don’t sell

Heather Townsend — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:20:53 +0000

This is the ninth blog post in a series taken from my book ‘ Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

As you are reading this book, I am aware that you are a busy female professional, hungry to achieve the next goal that you have set yourself – that’s probably why you are out networking.

But hang on, the purpose of networking is to attract opportunities, not to sell you or your services. When you are out networking you are recruiting for advocates of you personally or the products/services that you or your company provides.

There are four main ways to attract opportunities:

1) Get known

2) Give into the relationship

3) Keep in touch

4) Be seen in the right places

Like many busy female professionals, I’ve suffered at networking events politely listening to a pitch and wishing I could find an excuse to escape. Often these are the very same people that often thrust their business card at you, whether you have asked for it or not… To really hammer home the benefit of networking, 80% of opportunities will come to you from people you already know.

Action points:

Next time you are out networking, offer to do three things for people at the event
Review the list of networking opportunities in your calendar, are you mixing in the right circles to achieve your goals via others?
Look in your address book and drop a line to people that you met at a networking event in the last 12 months re-connect with them.

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 8: Be focused

Heather Townsend — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:20:02 +0000

This is the eighth blog post in a series taken from my book ‘Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

As a busy female professional, you need to get the most out of your networking time. Whilst networking should be fun and enjoyable, you need to be focused on what you planned to achieve at the event.

You may be having a very enjoyable conversation comparing notes on your new shoes with someone you have just met, but if they are unlikely in the short or medium term to help you meet your goals, then, I am afraid, you need to re-circulate.

Ideally, you will have seen the guest list in advance and know who you want to talk to. The more time that you spend speaking to random people, not on your list, the less time that you will have available to speak to the people on your list.

Whilst speaking to random people at networking events is all part of the fun of networking, it pays to share your goals early with the people you are meeting. This way, you will find out quickly how much time you should invest in the conversation. These questions can help you safely share your personal objectives for the event:

“Why are you here?”

“What made you decide to come to this conference?”

When all is said and done, you do need to strike a balance whilst networking. Keep yourself open to possibilities when meeting people, and you may find that you achieve your goals quicker, than if you stay focused on just meeting a select few people.

Action points:

Get hold of a copy of the guest list in advance and plan who you would like to meet
Practice at your next networking opportunity, sharing your goals earlier in the conversation

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

Working the room tip 7: Be positive and enthusiastic

Heather Townsend — Wed, 26 May 2010 07:20:45 +0000

This is the seventh blog post in a series taken from my book ‘ Networking tips for busy female professionals’. Each week, we will take a tip from the book and publish it in a blog post.

You want to create the right first impression. As a busy female professional, you don’t have time to repair a negative first impression! Normally people want to build relationships with happy, positive and enthusiastic people. If you make negative comments, you run the risk of your new conversation partner thinking that you are a moaner. Even if the venue has an inadequate number of female toilets, don’t complain! As a busy female professional you need to make every conversation count, by starting, growing or maintaining a good relationship.

Even if the conference or event is badly run, find something positive about the event. If you are finding that the networking event is not working for you, (and we have all been to these type of events!), then leave early rather than stay and get disgruntled or bored. As a busy female professional, I am sure that you have a million things you could be doing with your time.

When you meet someone for the first time, find something that you can sincerely compliment them on. For example:

‘I love your red coat, where did you get it from?’

Action points:

When you meet someone for the first time, find something that you can sincerely compliment them on.
At your next networking event, notice what it good about the event

If you have enjoyed this tip and would like to get more of the tips before the book is published, then read on

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