Many business deals have been sealed, and jobs landed after people met during networking events.
By some accounts, networking and professional relationship building are the basis for many jobs offers today. 85 percent of respondents in a Forbes study said that in-person meetings helped them build better and more beneficial business relationships.
In this article, we discuss the three behaviours that annoy the people you meet during networking events the most. These behaviours include abruptly abandoning a conversation to talk to someone else, sharing your business card too soon, and creating a trade show out of networking events. Let’s take on these, one after another.
1. Abruptly abandoning a conversation to talk to someone more influential
It’s generally considered rude to leave a conversation with people you are familiar with abruptly, let alone strangers, during networking events. Even though they may not say a word of disapproval, you can be sure that they have registered that behavior in their minds and probably written you off as a rude person.
That’s bad for your business reputation and should be avoided. There are better ways to leave and meet other people.
First, it’s vital that you engage in meaningful discussion with everyone you meet, irrespective of their position. In your conversations, look for the good. Try to learn at least one helpful thing from each person you encounter and give them some value.
Knowing when and how to end a discussion is also crucial. Taking a graceful exit from a conversation is the best way to ensure that people remember you favourably.
When the time comes to switch to a different person, do so politely. Here are a few things you can say:
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It was a pleasure talking to you about your latest project, Sandra. I need to have a quick word with Kelvin before he takes off. I appreciate the interesting talk.
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There are quite a few people present this evening. I don't want to stop you from having other important chats! I've had a great time getting to know you and look forward to working together.
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I appreciate you telling me about your work. You make your days sound pretty intriguing! Let me interact a little more, and I'll mention you when I talk to other people.
2. Sharing your business card too soon
Giving out business cards soon after shaking hands is never a wise choice.
A meaningful chat cannot be replaced by a quick shake of hands and an exchange of business cards.
Conversational connections and post-networking follow-up are the two main objectives of networking. There is a greater possibility that the receiver will forget about you if you simply hand them your business card without engaging in discussion. You surely don’t want that. You want to be remembered, and more importantly, you want to be remembered for the right reasons.
Here are a few things you should do before handing out your business card:
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Take an interest in them and what they are working on. Why did they embark on this project, what problem it’s aimed at solving, and how far along are they?
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Ask good questions to determine if your product or service can help their team or organization achieve its goals without trying to sell immediately.
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Only give a brief hint about your solution if you are sure it’s the right fit - again, without trying to sell.
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If you find your solution is not a good fit, see if there’s anyone in the room you can introduce them to.
3. Creating a trade show out of networking events
A trade show is not the same thing as a networking event.
It's crucial to work hard and have the sale in mind. But don't misinterpret the scene. Don't introduce your pitch as the first line of conversation. Even if you intend to sell to this person eventually, you are better off avoiding the appearance of being overly eager to make a sale.
Professionals who attend networking events with the mindset that they must pitch to everyone they encounter damage their chances of producing significant results from the event. They will waste their time and that of the people they meet. People prefer to do business with those they trust, which is almost impossible at the first meeting.
It's crucial to establish a meaningful connection with the people you're just meeting before attempting to make a sales pitch to them.
Conclusion
This article discussed how abruptly abandoning conversations, handing out your business card too quickly, and trying to sell immediately can hurt your chances of making meaningful connections during networking events - and what to do instead.
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