Look at the picture here. This is a typical business related event or,it could even be a social event. What do you see? People - strangers...those are those funny people your mothers told you not to talk to when you were very young. But you are all much older now and it's fine, just fine, to approach these people. REMEMBER if it is business related others are there to network with you just as much as you are there to network with them.

 

FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE you will see no more than 6 formats in any room.From their body language 3 will be welcoming, 3 won't . Study the picture and decide which groups are which. If you can't work it out and you would like to know, email me, will@kintish.co.uk and I will give you the answer. Alternatively why not stop and listen to what Will has to say?

Our vast experience tells us the majority of people get themselves 'into a right state' when having to face a room full of strangers. It doesn't matter whether it's a business or social event.

Like every activity in life a bit of preparation and planning is vital. Instead of getting in a right state, get yourself into the right state with these thoughts.

10 WARM UP MENTAL EXERCISES

1. I am about to give up 3 precious hours, unpaid, so I going to get the  most out of it.

2. I will enjoy this event and have some real fun.

3. This room will be familiar. I will see people on their own, open 2 ‘s and 3’s. They will be welcoming. Beware of the closed 2’s 3’s and 4+ groups unless there are people in there I already know.

4. I plan to talk to 3 new people and gain 3 new pieces of information or
gossip.

5. I will work hard at introducing myself to the person/ people I’m targeting.

6. Get myself in the right state. …AND NOT “A RIGHT STATE”.

7. Everyone here wants to network. They want to meet me just as much as I
want to meet them. The chances of rejection are tiny.

8. I’m a decent and likeable person; believe in myself and, in my area I have much knowledge and expertise.

9. There will be the odd rude person here…let’s just get away from them as
soon as possible.

10. It might happen, but very very occasionally I might get rejected. These
people aren’t worth giving a second thought to. Let’s focus on the 99.9% of
pleasant and welcoming people.

If you are invited, or expected to attend, a wedding, a party, a school meeting or a dinner dance, do you look forward to meeting all those strangers who will be there? If you feel anxious or intimidated about the prospect then the Kintish Networking System will help you.

Whilst this is primarily a business based learning tool all the techniques learnt can be applied to any social situation helping you counter any fears and concerns you may have. Every business wants to generate more sales and fees, attract more clients and customers and generally grow in a speedy but controlled manner. There are lots of methods of marketing but most will agree, effective networking is one of the best.

Experienced networkers understand the activity is all about building relationships. Every relationship ever built be it business or social, always has 3 key steps: Knowing / Liking / Trusting.

Network with confidence, and you'll find just how powerful it is and what's more, how much fun it can be. Networking helps you create more connections, raises your visibility, increases your self-confidence and results, in the longer term, in more business and social contacts. The system will assist you to achieve those objectives. Success comes when people are patient and persistent. So, when you decide to build new relationships be aware it takes time. We show you the critical difference between persisting and pestering to ensure you remove any fears you have in following up and keeping in touch.

As explained above, networking can be fearful in both business and social situations. This is known as 'social phobia.'

I quote from The Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association web page:

In public places, such as work, meetings, or social and business gatherings, people with social anxiety feel that everyone is watching, staring and judging them (even though rationally they know this isn't true). The socially anxious person can't relax, ‘take it easy’ and enjoy themselves in public. In fact, they can never fully relax when other people are around. It always feels like others are evaluating them, being critical of them, or ‘judging’ them in some way. The person with social anxiety knows that people don't do this openly, of course, but they still feel the self-consciousness and judgment while they are in the other person's presence. It's sometimes impossible to let go, relax and focus on anything else except the anxiety and fear. Because the anxiety is so very painful, it's much easier just to stay away from social situations and avoid other people altogether.”

If this is a problem for you I can describe you in one word

"normal"

We have presented to over 45,000 people and 99% tell us they have an issue walking into that room. That room...be it business or social.

Kintish can help you overcome these fears and concerns through its networking training, either a full day networking course or our 'Working the Room' web seminar.

It was the seminar coffee break, and we’d just covered the section Planning and preparation before going to a business related event. Mark (not his real name) said to me “Will, I wish this course had been on 2 days ago.” “Why?” I asked.

This is a true story told by Mark.

“A message came through my P.A. saying I was invited to an event by a major supplier 7.30-8 .Diary free so I said fine. After work I had some time so I went for a couple of beers. I then headed off but realised I didn’t know exactly where the venue was. It was beginning to get late but I wasn’t too worried thinking there will be enough people there for me just to slip in. After asking the way a couple of times I arrived about 8.15, at this small but exclusive hotel, a touch nervous as it was getting late.
I walked in to find, to my astonishment, that it was a quiet dinner for 4! The two senior officers of the company were our hosts, one of whom was a knight of the realm. To say I was now feeling nervous and anxious is an understatement. Had I known what was to happen I would have put my best suit on, had mints in my pocket and even cleaned my shoes! Names were exchanged and I was only able to hear two of the three. I was so overwhelmed I never did find out one of my host’s names. Topics were covered which went over my head. But I survived…just.”

What are the learning points from this story?
When we go to meetings with clients and prospects we prepare. If we didn’t we’d feel nervous, vulnerable, anxious and exposed…the list goes on.
When you attend business related events you are going to meet potential prospects, maybe existing clients and contacts. Consider some of these planning points.

Who’s going to be there
• Doing some research
• Ascertaining the format
• Knowing the timings
• Where it is
• What to wear
• What to talk about
• Ensuring you ask someone to repeat their name when you don’t hear it. They’ll never say “I told you once; I’m not going to tell you again!”

You do have one don’t you?

View here for tips on your networking strategy.

Make sure those networking events you attend aren't just for the free food and drink! Bring new business in by working the room more effectively ...more