It’s exasperating. You’re attending all the right networking events and industry conferences, but something isn’t clicking. Your new business prospect list isn’t growing. The phone isn’t ringing with networking follow-up calls.
The difficulty could be your communication style. From time to time, we all get caught up in our own business aims and lose sight of the point of any communication – the exchange of info. Developing a cosy self-awareness can be your largest networking ally. So watch for the four first networking missteps that will prevent you from being as effective a networker as you’d like.
1. Mixed Messaging. Occasionally we think that we’re sending one message, when our angle and words actually say something different again. So be clear about the business message you would like to send. State it to oneself before your one-minute lift speech at a networking event. Rehearse a second, more casual but concise, business definition for unstructured networking possibilities. If you aren’t convinced, nobody else will be. As an example, I recently concluded that making an attempt to promote a talent i no longer enjoyed was hampering my networking success. When I got clear about this it was way easier to obviously position and push the abilities I was passionate about expanding.
2. Unseemly Response-itis. It occurs all the time. I see it in networking, during client conferences and in selling techniques. You state your key business message and then you fail to reply suitably to the input or reply that you receive. Perhaps you keep making an attempt to make the same point over and over ( only a touch restating your initial point ). Perhaps you are racing ahead in your mind considering what you need to claim next rather than listening to what is being declared to you. You see someone else you “must ” talk with and your attention is compromised. In any communication, it is vital to really listen. Process the reply you receive and make it part of your own reply. For instance, replies that indicate active listening include : “I’m glad to hear you exclaim that… ” “that is’s an engaging point because… ” Give and take, rather than one-sided promotion, is the only real way to move conversation forward in a manner that is respectful to both parties.
A bad case of unfit response-itis : I latterly inquired about a business service. Notwithstanding the proven fact that I said to the sales representative precisely what info I needed in order to make a buying call, the sales representative kept replying with what sounded like “scripted ” replies. After 1 or 2 minutes it was clear that this person didn’t know how to go off script to shut the sale or to actually respond to my questions. Stay flexible. Listen and let the oral cues you receive identify your contribution to the conversation.
3. Body Language Blocks. Effective business networking also entails watching for body language cues. If you feel your message is being “blocked, ” look to see if the person you’re talking to has their arms crossed in a purposeful demeanour. Watch for such cues and use your own body language to positively reinforce your message. If someone is presenting such a closed body posture keep your posture relaxed and open. Use hand gestures with your palms upward. In a friendly demeanour probe to discover what interests them or is important to them. Folk like to talk about themselves and they need to know their needs are heard. When both yours and their body language is relaxed and respectful ( e.g. Making good eye contact ) your business message has much more probability of coming across successfully.
4. Missing Message Confirmation. This will appear obvious, but frequently it’s easy to forget to affirm that your key networking message was clearly received. For instance, you can reinforce your business message during networking by asserting, “Now that I have told you all about my selling experience in end-user products, tell me about your business. ” if you’re making an attempt to relay product information ask an open-ended question such as, “What questions do you have about these nutritive products specifically formulated for women? ” It’s the equivalent of asking in an individual situation, “Am I making sense? “
Successful business networking takes snug self-awareness and your total attention. When you start and end talks clearly, while staying alert to physical cues, and are flexible and open to particular circumstantial opportunities which naturally arise in any conversation, your message gets heard loud and clear.
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