本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛I recently came across an article written by Kristen Hilderman on bcbusinessonline.ca titled “The Four Worst Networking Personalities.” The article highlighted four common types of networkers to avoid at networking events, and I couldn’t help but laugh at Kristen’s humorous and all-too-familiar descriptions of The Pusher, The Cling-on, The Wandering Eye, and The Salesman. Having encountered these types of networkers in the wild many times, I’d like to offer you some tips on how not to become them.
1. The Pusher. At a networking event, the Pusher’s objective is to maximize the number of connections by handing out and collecting as many business cards as possible. Instead of blindly trying to spray the room with your business cards, try to focus on the quality instead of the quantity of your connections. Before handing out your business card to someone, offer a firm but friendly handshake and introduce yourself to the other party. Give those you meet an opportunity to do the same. At this point it would be a good time to exchange business cards.
Mission accomplished? No. Just because you got the business card doesn’t mean you’re done networking. Take some time to initiate conversation & learn about what the other person does. They might just be inclined to learn about what you do. Listen and look for opportunities where you can offer your help and promise to follow up.
2. The Wandering Eye. In North America, it is generally expected that you make eye contact with the person you are speaking to. Keep your eyes from wandering by maintaining frequent eye contact with the other party. You don’t need to have a staring contest, but try to keep your general gaze in their direction. Wandering eyes can lead the person you are conversing with to feel unimportant and disrespected. If the person you are speaking with is uninteresting and you feel the need to move on, wait for a pause or a lull in the conversation and exit gracefully. Say something like, “It was good to meet you. I need to connect with a few more people around here so if I don’t see you later, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”
3. The Cling-on. For those who are shy or just naturally introverted, networking events may be uncomfortable. The Cling-on finds security by clinging to people or circles of people already in conversation. Try and seek out and initiate your own conversations. If you find it hard to talk to complete strangers, warm up with familiar faces—perhaps there is a classmate or co-worker at the event.
If you know in advance who might be at the event, prepare some questions to ask. If you find it difficult to come up with something to talk about, talk about the event itself, a speech you just heard, the food that is being served, or a display or exhibit at the event. Ask simple questions to prompt conversation: How many people do you think are here? What did you think of the keynote speech?
4. The Salesman. So you love to talk and can chat endlessly about your product/service, or maybe you have a great idea that you’re trying to pitch in the hope of finding your next angel investor. If you have come to a networking event with the objective of making an immediate sale then you may be disappointed. Worse, you may be making a networking pariah of yourself. Leave the sales pitch for the sales call and remember that networking is about creating and building relationships. People like to do business with people they like and know. Be genuine and listen attentively to others. They may reveal something that presents itself as an opportunity, but the key is to listen.更多精彩文章及讨论,请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
1. The Pusher. At a networking event, the Pusher’s objective is to maximize the number of connections by handing out and collecting as many business cards as possible. Instead of blindly trying to spray the room with your business cards, try to focus on the quality instead of the quantity of your connections. Before handing out your business card to someone, offer a firm but friendly handshake and introduce yourself to the other party. Give those you meet an opportunity to do the same. At this point it would be a good time to exchange business cards.
Mission accomplished? No. Just because you got the business card doesn’t mean you’re done networking. Take some time to initiate conversation & learn about what the other person does. They might just be inclined to learn about what you do. Listen and look for opportunities where you can offer your help and promise to follow up.
2. The Wandering Eye. In North America, it is generally expected that you make eye contact with the person you are speaking to. Keep your eyes from wandering by maintaining frequent eye contact with the other party. You don’t need to have a staring contest, but try to keep your general gaze in their direction. Wandering eyes can lead the person you are conversing with to feel unimportant and disrespected. If the person you are speaking with is uninteresting and you feel the need to move on, wait for a pause or a lull in the conversation and exit gracefully. Say something like, “It was good to meet you. I need to connect with a few more people around here so if I don’t see you later, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”
3. The Cling-on. For those who are shy or just naturally introverted, networking events may be uncomfortable. The Cling-on finds security by clinging to people or circles of people already in conversation. Try and seek out and initiate your own conversations. If you find it hard to talk to complete strangers, warm up with familiar faces—perhaps there is a classmate or co-worker at the event.
If you know in advance who might be at the event, prepare some questions to ask. If you find it difficult to come up with something to talk about, talk about the event itself, a speech you just heard, the food that is being served, or a display or exhibit at the event. Ask simple questions to prompt conversation: How many people do you think are here? What did you think of the keynote speech?
4. The Salesman. So you love to talk and can chat endlessly about your product/service, or maybe you have a great idea that you’re trying to pitch in the hope of finding your next angel investor. If you have come to a networking event with the objective of making an immediate sale then you may be disappointed. Worse, you may be making a networking pariah of yourself. Leave the sales pitch for the sales call and remember that networking is about creating and building relationships. People like to do business with people they like and know. Be genuine and listen attentively to others. They may reveal something that presents itself as an opportunity, but the key is to listen.更多精彩文章及讨论,请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net