Networking Ettiquette? You bet!
I'll bet that you have experienced some of these networking faux pas ...
Hopefully, you've not committed any yourself ... if so, it's time you think about your impact.
Some of these just may surprise you!
1. Talking to people while looking over their shoulder to see who is more exciting to talk to!
2. The weak, limp hand shake!
3. Selling your products and services to people you've just met!
4. Pushing your card into someone's hand who never asked for it!
5. Standing around eating food during the whole event!
6. Hanging out with all your friends and co-workers!
7. Drinking too much alcohol at the after work happy hour networking event!
8. Collecting business cards and putting the people directly into your distribution list without their permission!
9. Verbally throwing up on someone ... talking all about YOU!
10. Being un-approachable with body language or image!
Networking is about building relationships. It's not about selling or closing a deal. It's not about how many cards you can collect. And, most of all, it's not meant to be a reaction to no or slow business. When you consider networking as a referral marketing tool, it becomes a part of how you do business on a regular basis. It becomes the most cost-effective way to grow your business by developing strong business relationships.
What networking faux pas have you experienced that drives you crazy?
1 comment:
The one that drives me crazy is one you alluded to in your list as number 8. Just this week I received a form email from someone who attended our BNI group as a guest. And not only was it a form email, but my name was misspelled. The last bit was wonderfully funny. It said that perhaps it would make sense for use to meet for breakfast or lunch to discuss the benefits of what this person has to offer. The last sentence read, "Please give me a call to schedule this appointment." Ha, like any minute now!
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