How Not to Network – Darting Eyes & WIIFM
The past few weeks I have been on the networking trail focussing on growing my business…
Many people aren’t wired like me but I love meeting people and finding out what they do, both for work and play. It is why I love working with presenters – new industries (to me) and/or new people to meet. Ok, I’m admittedly a geek.
Jobs that I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams exist today. Ways of spending leisure time are resourceful and increasingly more bizarre.
My son introduced me to a video of passengers who roadskate while the car they’re in is moving. A fine analogy for networking done badly. The rate of speed is fast, it’s like a watching an anticipated accident, and it’s all about the skater. Think of the driver when the endeavour goes south – looks like a bad contact/referral.
And here is the rant part – have you met someone who’s eyes dart around the room rather than looking at you? To those who do that, this is what I’m thinking: You think I am not useful to you and have made that assumption quickly. I think you are not the sharpest stick because you don’t know anything about me and don’t know who I know or may meet. This type of networker is in the what is in it for me (WIIFM) category.
Call me old school, this is the type of networking I enjoy: forming deeper relationships, finding out what colleagues and friends do for work and play. Then seeing if we can make a project or idea work together. Or if I can connect you with someone I know who may be interested in you and your ideas/service/product, I gladly will if I get to know and form a level of trust with you.
A heads up to those who throw their business card at me with lightening speed – the ink and paper is wasted – my shredder inhales them.
A request: I would like to hear you’re positive networking experiences – what works for you and let’s hear about some of the cool people and jobs you’ve encountered…
Tags: Bad Networking, Connecting, networking, Networking Skills, Presenter training, Presenting
