Thursday, June 03, 2010

Referral Marketing: Hummingbirds Networkers


The other day I was sitting on my deck enjoying lunch with a colleague when I noticed some unusual behavior from a hummingbird. Being a fairly avid bird watcher, I became curious when a hummingbird continued to frequent a particular spot on a tree branch and rested there for a short time. I suspected a nest sight and my binoculars confirmed it! It's so rare to ever see a hummingbird's nest. My summer has been blessed.

When I watch hummingbirds flitter about so quickly and randomly, it makes me think of those people at networking events that are only there to pass out a ton of business cards and try to shake hands with everyone in the room. I'm sure you've met them along the way and if you're like me, you try to avoid them. It's a shame that they can't see the impact they're having on their own referability. Being fast and furious at a networking event is not going to help you build long lasting relationships. It's actually not going to accomplish much for you at all ... except cause you to call your printer for more business cards! Good for the printer, I suppose.

Slow down. Get to know people. Find a connection. Act like a human being who's genuinely interested in others ... not like a hummingbird. A networking event is no place for hummingbirds.