Business Networking Tips 04

Here’s the next in our series on good Business Networking Tips.

This one tip is sure to increase your networking results by 100%.

It is so simple and yet the one most missed by attendees of these events . . .

Short Meeting (Photo credit: Accretion Disc)

And that is . . .

It’s not about the meeting.

Strange as it sounds, it’s not about being at the meeting.

Sure being at the meeting helps a bit. OK, a lot 😀

And most Business Networking Meetings have useful content and information.

In most cases, attendance is valuable just for that component.

However, the networking does not happen in the meeting itself.

It happens BEFORE and AFTER the meeting.

BEFORE

Arrive 15-20 minutes before the meeting and connect with the other early arrivers.

Someone is there doing business, so it may as well be you.

Even if you are standing out the front of the restaurant because it is not open yet, start connecting with the people already there and start building relationships.

People who arrive at 7am for a 7am meeting are missing opportunities!

Open Coffee Cardiff, Free Business Networking ... — Open Coffee Cardiff, Free Business Networking Event (Photo credit: YODspica)

AFTER

Same as before the meeting.

There are more opportunities to connect and build relationships.

If a meeting is due to finish at 8am, I always block off time in my calendar for at least 1 hour after that.

People who leave the 7am – 8am meeting at 8:01am are missing opportunities.

When blocking time in your calendar for a networking event, make sure that you:

book an extra 20 minutes before the start time
book an extra 60 minutes after the published end time

Make sure to use that extra time to connect with people and start building the relationships that your Network will be built on.

Well, that really is quite simple!

What should you do now?

Block out extra time in your calendar.
Make sure that you get there early.
Want some help or ideas? Just contact us at Hotpink Websites now.

Quote

Most of my relationships have been like that – with record companies. I’ve never had a legitimate business relationship with a company. I’ve always had a personal relationship with someone in the company.
~ Ornette Coleman