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Speaker- Trainer- Consultant
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| February 21, 2011 | Issue No. 27 |
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Hi ;
Happy President's Day! This is a day to celebrate our current and past leader's time and talent in shaping our great country. It is also a day for me to recognize another leader in my life, my Dad. He was born 75 years ago today and has had a profound influence on my life through his love for me, hard work ethic and high level of integrity. I cannot imagine my life without him in it.
So many of us have been positively influenced by family members, friends and mentors. I have met many remarkable people by chance through reaching out and volunteering in my community or getting to know my clients on a deeper level. In addition, I have met many of these great folks through networking opportunities offered by my local Chamber or through my Rotary Club. I have to be honest with you though, every time I hear the word "networking" I get turned off. I do not like to attend networking functions because I feel like I must schmooze with people I don't know. However, once I attend the function, I am usually pleased with the new acquaintances I have made and the topics we discussed. Today's newsletter is for those people like me who know the importance of networking but find numerous excuses not to attend these types of functions.
Great reading,
Diane
P.S. Please email your thoughts about these tips to diane@dianeamundson.com. I would also love to read any questions you would like answered regarding interpersonal communication in future Monday Motivation newsletters. If you know someone who would benefit from these tips, please forward them on or ask them to sign up.
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Networking Tips for People Who Hate to Network
" We have to stop pretending as individuals we can go it alone."
Margaret Wheatley
In last week's newsletter, I provided tips on how to become more approachable at work or at home. One aspect of becoming more approachable is learning how to approach others. As I mentioned last week, human beings need to connect with others for our mental and physical well-being. As a leader, we need to reach out to others for these personal reasons but also to find future great employees and clients to grow our business. A must read book on this subject of networking is Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. In his book, Keith mentions some key principles of networking that must be agreed upon in order to find success. I have mentioned these below and added a few of my own:
- The more people you help, the more you will be helped in the process.
- The key to networking is generosity and not greed.
- Don't keep score, just keep giving.
- You must reach out to others long before you need anything at all.
- Connect with others authentically and look for quality relationships over quantity of relationships.
With these basic beliefs, you will be on your way to making great lasting relationships. So how do you even begin this process of networking? Follow these simple yet not so simple guidelines:
- Have a goal in mind. When I enter a room full of people, I have a goal of meeting one person that I have not met before and focusing on that person, learning about them and their challenges and thinking of at least one way I might be able to help them with that challenge. I may offer help directly or by connecting them with someone I know who can help. According to Keith Ferrazzi's book Never Eat Alone, there are three areas that most people need help in and will forever be thankful for that help; health, wealth and their children.
- Practice your answer to So What Do You Do? In my workshops, I call this the elevator speech or what you would say if you had a few seconds to ride in an elevator with a great potential client. A great speech is short, succinct and interesting enough so that the listener is intrigued and wants to hear more. While this may sound too rehearsed, you only have a few seconds when meeting someone to make a great impression and connection. Telling someone that you help file taxes each year is different than telling them you help your clients stay out of tax trouble. The latter phrase will have your listener wanting to know more.
- Learn how to small talk. There are many aspects to this great skill but the first is trying to find a connection with that individual, i.e., a hobby you share or favorite sports team, etc. The point to remember is that you need to be a great listener first by keeping your comments short and asking clarifying questions. If you have great anxiety about speaking with strangers or in small groups, try joining your local Toastmasters club which helps people speak more comfortably in public situations. Keeping current on local and world events will also help you find topics to discuss.
So how do you avoid becoming the schmoozer that everyone avoids?
- Be present in the moment. When speaking with someone, focus on what they are saying by looking them in the eye and responding to what they are saying. I have met many community leaders who come into a room and try and meet everyone by talking with you while looking for someone better to come along. I can spot a schmoozer a mile away. This is why you need a goal of meeting just one person at each gathering versus trying to talk with everyone. If you do end up meeting several people at an event at a deeper level, this is okay as long as that person left with a good impression of you.
- Don't be a the center of gossip. While this can be an instant way to have others listen to you, in the end, each person walks away from you wondering when they will be the subject of your next gossip session.
- Don't take before you give. I was once at a golf outing and needed a ride home. A kind gentleman offered and I was impressed at his willingness to help. However, the entire ride home he tried to sell me insurance and by the time I arrived home I made the decision that he and his company would be the last place on earth that I would purchase insurance from. His reason for offering a ride to me was to take more than it was to give.
By practicing these tips for effective networking and avoiding the schmoozer techniques, you will be on your way to making deeper connections with others. |
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Diane Amundson is the owner of Diane Amundson & Associates. She works with organizations that want to improve communication so they become more productive. She has been training, speaking and consulting for over nineteen years in the areas of leadership, generational diversity, team building, conflict resolution and strategic planning. She has worked with Fortune 500 Companies like General Mills and Pepsi Cola along with numerous school districts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She has co-authored a book titled Success Strategies: A High Achiever's Guide to Success. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and has served as Adjunct Professor of Organizational Behavior at Winona State University.
She is a Rotarian that has traveled the world on humanitarian projects in Mongolia, India and Brazil.
Her style of speaking is informative and highly interactive.
Diane Amundson & Associates
Phone: (507)452-2232 Fax:(507)452-0090
24456 County Road 9 Winona, MN 55987 |
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