The Business End

Be Genuine and Connect with Others

I can’t tell you how many times that I go to a networking event and there is some guy who asks me what I do then instantly starts counting in his head: One one-thousand, Two one-thousand….  and so on. This is the networking robot. You will see them at every networking event. Usually this is someone who has just learned that they need to network with others but see this is a lead generating session rather than a networking session.

This article is being written for all you networking robots out there. When you connect with another individual, you need be genuinely interested in what they have to say. If you find the person completely and totally boring then tell them. I have often told someone that they are making me go to sleep in an effort to break the ice. The person will give me a courtesy laugh and probably call me names in their head but the dialog goes from scripted to un-scripted.

Just the other day, I went to get coffee at my favorite place. (White Rock Coffee in Dallas) I really enjoy it because it’s better than starbucks. I had walked in with my Ali G look alike running suit (it’s not that bad) and I started a conversation with the Baristas. The Barista was genuinely interested in my topic and I was genuinely interested in theirs. Now here is the thing to remember, I did not EXPECT anything. I did more time than normal speaking to them but It was nice and you never know where connecting with another human will take you. At the end of the conversation they didn’t charge me for my coffee. That was extremely nice and probably never to be repeated. The thing is that something really great happened out of me just being genuine.

This works the same way in business when at networking events. Don’t go to the networking event expecting to make a sale. If you do that to me, I will call you out on it because there is nothing worse than a networking event full of used car salesmen. When I attend an event I am thinking of who I can connect this person with as they tell me about their business. By taking myself out of the equation I help someone make a great connection and possibly a business lead.

So try to find networking events that are going on in your city. In this market it will be harder and harder to find business but if you stick your neck out there you will find the right people.

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