You should! Elena has built a few, well more than a few, thriving businesses from the ground up with little cash investment. A brilliant and hardworking young woman – one to follow (and learn from).

Elena and I both have a fascination for all things Social Media and learning how they best work for our businesses. We come from two different sides of the Marketing, Public Relations, and Sales perspectives. But I believe that we both agree that we are always presenting ourselves.

As a fellow business owner I am consistently working on growing my business and you will often find me networking (we have to come up with a better word) around Vancouver. From Elena’s latest article it looks like she is too.

Elena makes two great points:

• During conferences much of the meaty discussion and relationship building happens in the hallways. Yes, that’s right not where the bums in seats are. It is easier to sit back and observe but to propel a business it’s on your feet and shaking hands that will do it.
• Greet the hosts – find them and they will be glad you did. As Elena says they have created the event to be of service and they want to make sure their attendees are satisfied. Thank you for the kick in the pants Elena.

Elena and I agree, you are always presenting so extend a hand and meet someone new. Oh the possibilities.

To your voice!

Janice

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…

dbking