It’s frustrating. You’re attending all the right networking events and industry meetings, but something is not clicking. Your new business prospect list is not growing. The telephone isn’t ringing with networking follow-up calls.

The problem might be your communication style. From time to time, we all get wrapped up in our own business aims and lose sight of the point of any communication – the exchange of info. Developing a comfortable self-awareness can be your largest networking ally. So watch for the four first networking missteps that may hinder you from being as effective a networker as you’d like.

1. Mixed Messaging. Infrequently we think that we are sending one message, when our perspective and words basically say something else altogether. So be clear about the business message you need to send. State it to oneself before your one-minute elevator speech at a networking event. Rehearse a second, more casual but concise, business definition for unstructured networking opportunities . If you aren’t convinced, nobody else will be. For example, I latterly concluded that attempting to promote a skill I do not enjoyed was hampering my networking success. After I got clear about this it was far easier to clearly position and push the skills I was committed to expanding.

2. Tasteless Response-itis. It occurs all of the time. I see it in networking, during customer meetings and in promoting strategies. 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 again and again ( only a touch restating your primary point ). Maybe you are racing ahead in your mind considering what you want to point out next rather than listening to what is being said to you. You see somebody else you “must ” talk to and your attention is compromised. In any communication, it’s important to really listen. Process the reply you receive and make it part of your own reply. For instance, responses that indicate active listening include : “I’m glad to hear you exclaim that… ” “that’s's an engaging point because… ” Give and take, instead of one-sided promotion, is the only real way to move conversation forward in a way that’s respectful to both parties.

A bad case of unfit response-itis : I lately inquired about a business service. Despite the indisputable fact that I told the sales representative precisely what info I needed in order to make a buying decision, the sales representative kept responding with what sounded like “scripted ” replies. After a few minutes it was clear that this person didn’t know how to go off script to shut the sale or to literally reply 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 comprises watching for body language cues. If you should happen to feel your message is being “blocked, ” look to work out if the person you’re talking to has their arms crossed in a purposeful manner. Watch for such cues and use your own body language to certainly bolster your message. If somebody is presenting such a closed body posture keep your posture relaxed and open. Use hand gestures with your palms upward. In a genial demeanour probe to discover what interests them or is important to them. Folks like to chat about themselves and they need to know their needs are heard. When both yours and their body language is relaxed and deferential ( e.g. Making good eye contact ) your business message has much more chance of coming across successfully.

4. Missing Message Confirmation. This could seem obvious, but often it’s not difficult to forget to confirm that your key networking message was obviously received. For instance, you can fortify your business message during networking by asserting, “Now that I have told you all about my selling expertise in consumer goods, let me know about your business. ” if you are attempting to relay product info ask an open-ended query such as, “What questions do you have about these nutritive products specifically prepared for women? ” It’s the equivalent of asking in a private situation, “Am I making sense? “

Lucrative company networking takes snug self-awareness and your complete attention. When you start and end conversations clearly, while staying alert to physical cues, and are flexible and open to particular unproven opportunities that naturally arise in any conversation, your message gets heard loud and clear.

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Posted in Social Networking by Judy Conway No Comments Yet