 |
 |
 |
           |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
The Answer to Your Worst Networking Nightmare
Imagine you just met your ideal client at a networking event. He's friendly, has great ideas and could use a valuable person like you to help grow his business. Not to mention, he's the kind of person from whom you could learn a great deal as well. After all, networking is the creation and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships. After chatting away, building rapport and connecting for a few minutes - the crucial time comes: the exchange of business cards. At his request, you give him your card. Then you ask for his card in return. And at that moment, your worst networking nightmare comes true. He utters the one sentence you never want to hear from a new and potentially valuable contact: "I don't have one of my business cards with me right now." Ouch. What do you do in this situation? Some people become frustrated with the person who commits this cardinal sin of networking. Not a good idea. Although business cards are the number-one networking necessity, don't make a big fuss if someone doesn't have one. Unfortunately, it happens. People may be changing jobs, reprinting or assumed they didn't need their cards at the time. But calling them out will only reinforce emotions of their un-professionalism. A common solution to this problem is suggested in most networking books: simply write your new contact's information on one of your own cards. Not a bad idea. But space is limited. And how many times have you written information down in your haste only to become completely baffled by your own hieroglyphics when you read your notes a week later? Perhaps this isn't your best option. Another way to capture contact information is to use scrap paper. People do this all the time, and it's not an effective networking technique. Not only does it make you look inefficient and disorganized, but Donna Fisher, author of Networking for Dummies, explains that pieces of paper are more likely to get tossed or lost than business cards. So much for that idea. Finally, the one attempt at solving this networking nightmare - which usually fails - is when the person says, "Well?just give me your card and I'll call you." Yeah right. You can't depend on someone to call you. Not because they don't like you or because they're not interested in developing a mutually valuable relationship - but because people lose, forget and misplace things. They also meet lots of people every day - and it's challenging to differentiate yourself among the masses. Therefore, the question still remains: How do you effectively and professionally capture the information of a valuable contact that doesn't have any business cards? Thus far in the field of networking, there is yet to be a solution. Until now. This is the answer to your worst networking nightmare, and it's called My Card?. Here's how it works: When someone reluctantly tells you they don't have any business cards with them, reach into your pocket and offer them My Card?. "You don't have one of your business cards with you?" you empathize, "Well, don't worry about it - it happens all the time! Here you go?" On the front of the card you hand to them, it reads in sharp blue writing: My Card? - because to your new contact that doesn't have a business card, that's exactly what it is. It's their card! "I want to help in any way I can - and also get to know you better," you explain. "Here! Fill out the card with the best way to reach you. Then I'll hang on to this one so we can be sure to stay in touch. And here are a few extras for you to keep with you until you get your new cards. I don't want you missing any networking opportunities!" No scrap paper. No scribbles. No assumptions or hopes for future contact. Just a fun, simple, memorable, face saving tool that creates a connection between two people who want to build a relationship. What's more, when you graciously hand this card to someone you've just met, you will: Basic to all victory as a successful business communicator is approachability, or "capability of being reached." So, if someone doesn't have their business card, they're not capable of being reached. They're not approachable. They can't be helped, and they can't help others. But if you pull My Card? out of your pocket; tell your new friend to fill it out - and give them a few extra cards for future use - you will break down those barriers. You will save the day, save the information and save the face of the person you've just met. Not to mention, make their subsequent networking a lot easier. You will become a Networking Superhero! And you will turn friends into mutually valuable relationships. All because you took the initiative to empathize with someone who wanted to connect with you, but couldn't because they needed a front porch through which to express their inherent human desire to do so. Remember: Interest in someone's business card = interest in them. And interest in other people is the most important rule of interpersonal communication. My Card? is the answer to your worst networking nightmare - and someone else's. And for $10.00, you can own a 50 pack today, and you'll never miss another important networking opportunity again. Click here to buy a pack today! © 2005 All Rights Reserved. Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
Networking - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Land the Ideal Job Using Social Networks With at least 60% of job-seekers finding employment through networking, it's no wonder that people are turning to their colleagues and acquaintances for advice and help in finding employment. The old adage, "It's not what you know, but who you know" rings true when it comes to sources of labor in today's economy. Networking Group Loyalty Requirements How can you find out the group loyalty requirements before you venture forth?Many groups have loyalty requirements in order to make sure that the leads you generate are exclusively for the members of the group. It is important that you make sure you know everything about the group before you join, and loyalty requirements can put a damper on other activities you have planned. How To Make Your Next Networking Event A Success There are people who are natural born networkers - those people that can make conversation in any situation and have no problem walking up to complete strangers. This article is for the rest of us - networking tips that help reduce the stress of attending a networking event and will have you walking away from the event with prospects. 7 Step Plan To Get Going With Networking Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, feel like you have the gift of gab or just don't know how to make small talk, networking know-how is very important for your business success. There is a notion in business that I believe most of us subscribe to that says "all things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to those they know, like and trust. Building Bridges - The Importance of Being Connected Where You Live As a Young Professional (YP) in the up-and-coming city of Milwaukee, WI, I can tell you that it's very important to find a way to get connected in your city. It's important because in order to make a difference, you need to know who those difference makers are. How to Collect Business Cards Why the business card grab is not why you are there? So how do you obtain the card and show interest that gains confidence?One of the things I am also always asked is, "How do you collect cards?" and "What do you do with them when you get them back to the office?" What really happens when you collect business cards? Often they get put into a pocket with many others. Have you ever collected cards to later find out that you have no idea who the person was? This happens all the time. The 7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers Networking is a term that didn't exist (academically) until almost 40 years ago. It's a word uttered in and around the business world every day, yet is unclear to most as to how it actually works. Where Does That Word Come From? "Instead of a handshake, I gave Toby a high-five to break the ice; and when we sat down on the front porch and started talking off the cuff, it was as if serendipity brought us together."That sentence contains several words and actions you see and hear every day. Four Brainless Self-Promotion Techniques To Avoid Many workers think that their hard work will speak for itself. They quietly do their job and stay late at the office hoping that their boss will notice their efforts. Networking and Trade Shows The most important reasons people exhibit at a trade show? To see what's new and to gather leads - information for future business.So, how do you that besides standing in the booth and walking the aisles? The word is "Networking". Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business? When you look at your friends, it's like looking into a mirror. Take the sum of characteristics of the five people you spend most of your time with and you will be the average of that sum. Building Great Business Relationships If you're in a business relationship with anyone - a client, vendor, or customer - how important is that relationship to you? Do you value the relationship? Do you want to nurture it?A business relationship, like any relationship, is a two-way street. The expectations of both parties needs be clear and easily understandable. How to Turn Water into Lemonade by Giving a Flavored Answer to a Fruitless Question I remember the first time I opened the fridge to get a drink of water and accidentally grabbed the wrong pitcher.. Networking: Breaking into the Buzz Breaking into conversational groups is one of the things people ask me about when I'm conducting networking sessions. There's a buzz that hovers over a crowded room that comes from all those people conversing. How to be Known Why business relationships are formed with certain people?If you go to a networking meeting and look around the room, can you tell which individuals you would like to converse with? It is likely you will gravitate towards those that are engaged in conversations and have an enthusiasm about them. If you see people sitting around looking like wall flowers, you will not be as likely to find out more about them. Networking to a New Life Research shows that talking to strangers -- not people in your comfort zone -- is the single most powerful key to a creative career and business move. Yet many people resist. Five Best Ways To Build A Network I have been working from home on the internet for over 3 years now. 18 months of that was spent trying out various different programs trying to find things that would work for me and this done nothing more than cost me thousands of dollars and also caused me to neglect my family friends and my health, as a result I then took a break from internet marketing and got my life in order. Are You Sitting With The Right Company? When I walked into Dallas's famous Y.O. Have We Met Before? What to Do When You Cant Remember Who Yourre Talking To You see him from across the room. You know him, but you can't remember how you know him. Alliances: More Than A One Way Relationship What is the biggest advantage of forming an alliance?Everyone has their own definition of an alliance. I had a potential alliance with a person that was starting his own business.
|
 |