Sharing events with strangers

Have you ever been invited to a meeting and you hesitated to go as you felt you would know no one in the room? Concerned that they all would be strangers to you? I think most of us feel that way in some settings. In today’s business world, we might be made to feel that way with our co-workers, far-flung around the country and the world.

Some people just have a knack for connecting with others in any setting. For those of us that don’t, learning how to interact quickly and comfortably with others is a critical skill to develop. Business people need to connect on a professional level. Networking should be considered a professional activity and not a casual event.

Here are some quick networking tips from Cliff Flamer who is a career counselor who coaches clients on their networking tactics:

• Wear your nametag wisely–pin it to your upper right shoulder area because most people are righthanded and will extend their right hand and your nametag will be easier to view.
• Station yourself in a “destination location” near a registration table, the buffet or the bar, as a good way to ensure you interact with people.
• Always go to the people who are standing alone. It’s easier to start a conversation with one person than with two or more. And, how good you can make a person feel when they are standing alone to have someone join them.
• Remember your ears and mouth in social business settings–you have two ears and one mouth because you should be spending most of your time listening. It always comes back to the same thing; you enjoy talking to someone when you feel they are really listening and care what you are saying.
• Don’t miss those opportunities to get out and network. At your next meeting, challenge yourself to see how many new people you can meet.