Franklin Connection

It’s exasperating. You are attending all of the right networking events and industry conferences, but something is not clicking. Your new business prospect list isn’t growing. The phone is not ringing with networking follow-up calls.

The issue could be your communication style. From time to time, we all get wrapped up in our own business targets and lose sight of the point of any communication - the exchange of information. Developing a cosy self-awareness can be your biggest networking ally. So watch for the four first networking missteps that may stop you from being as effective a networker as you’d like.

1. Mixed Messaging. Sometimes we think that we’re sending one message, when our perspective and words basically say something different altogether. So be clear about the business message you would like to send. State it to yourself before your one-minute elevator speech at a networking event. Rehearse a second, more casual but concise, business definition for unstructured networking opportunities . If you are not convinced, no-one else will be. As an example, I latterly concluded that attempting to promote an ability I don’t enjoyed was hampering my networking success. Once I got clear about this it was way easier to obviously position and promote the skills I was passionate about expanding.

2. Inappropriate Response-itis. It happens all of the time. I see it in networking, during customer conferences and in promoting techniques. You state your key business message and then you fail to respond suitably to the input or response that you receive. Maybe you keep attempting to make the same point again and again ( only a touch restating your first point ). Perhaps you are racing ahead in your consciousness thinking about what you need to point out next rather than listening to what is being declared to you. You see some other person you “must ” speak with and your attention is compromised. In any communication, it’s important to really listen. Process the response you receive and make it part of your own reply. For example, responses that indicate active listening include : “I’m happy to hear you exclaim that… ” “that is’s a fascinating point because… ” Give and take, instead of one-sided promotion, is the sole way to move conversation forward in a way that is deferential to both parties.

A bad case of unfit response-itis : I lately inquired about a business service. Notwithstanding the proven fact that I said to the sales representative precisely what information I needed to make a buying call, the sales representative kept responding with what sounded like “scripted ” replies. After a few minutes it was evident this person didn’t understand how to go off script to shut the sale or to actually reply to my questions. Stay flexible. Listen and let the oral cues you receive determine your contribution to the conversation.

3. Body Language Blocks. Effective business networking also entails watching for body language cues. If you happen to feel your message is being “blocked, ” look to determine if the individual you are talking to has their arms crossed in a determined manner. Watch for such cues and use your own body language to certainly buttress your message. If someone is presenting such a closed body posture keep your posture relaxed and open. Use hand gestures with your palms upward. In an agreeable manner probe to discover what interests them or is vital to them. Folk like to discuss themselves and they want to know their needs are heard. When both yours and their body language is relaxed and deferential ( e.g. Making good eye contact ) your business message has much more probability of coming across successfully.

4. Missing Message Confirmation. This could seem obvious, but often it is simple to forget to ratify that your key networking message was obviously received. For instance, you can strengthen your business message during networking by exclaiming, “Now that I’ve told you all about my promoting experience in end-user products, let me know about your business. ” if you are making an attempt to relay product info ask an open-ended question like, “What questions have you got about these nutritional products specifically formulated for women? ” It’s equivalent to asking in a private situation, “Am I making sense? “

Successful business networking takes snug self-awareness and your full attention. When you start and end chats obviously, while staying alert to physical cues, and are flexible and open to particular inconclusive opportunities which naturally arise in any conversation, your message gets heard loud and clear.

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