Who Says that Networking Events are Intimidating!?

It was an uneventful morning.
Got my two darlings off to school without incident.
Found a great parking spot AND had time to review my notes before my meeting.
Woo hoo. I was happy!

Suddenly, those thoughts were interrupted. My body was forced into what felt like a face-forward splat, and I stumbled along for several steps. Finally, I grabbed on to a conveniently placed lamp post and caught my myself from belly-flopping onto the ground.

That whole 'episode' probably lasted only a fraction of a second. But, it felt longer to me, as my heel got caught in the cobblestone crack and I started that seemingly unstoppable fall.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a woman who seemed to be rushing by. I was a bit miffed that this person seemed to 'look the other way', when I was falling.

Immediately after I had those negative thoughts, the woman turned back and asked with a caring tone, "Are you allright?"

Yes, I said, smiling. Sheepishly, and as gracefully as possible, I reached back several steps to wedge my shoe out of the crack and put it back on my foot.

Another woman approached. OMG, she said heartily, "That happened to me at a wedding in Maine. At least your heel didn't break off... I kid you not, it was the worst - so hard to dance, ya da ya da ya da. I'm glad you're OK."

Suddenly, these two strangers and I were laughing like old friends. "Have a great day", I said cheerily and waved goodbye as I entered the building for my meeting and moved on with my day.

Later that day, I was teaching a "CONTACTS COUNT" networking skills workshop. A young man raised his hand and said, "I hate going to those crowded networking events. I never find anyone to talk to and end up leaving, after wasting my time and I could have gone to the gym."

He (and many of us) have approached networking with a negative assumption:
No one here wants to talk to me; this is going to be a waste of time.

This reminded me how I made an assumption earlier, that 'the cold cruel world' was going to ignore me and wouldn't help me when I stumbled. However, the reality was that people WERE friendly and helpful. Human nature is in fact kind and good!

Networking events don't have to be intimidating. They are simply one-on-one conversations .... just LOTS of them. You only have to face 'the masses' one at a time. Next time you go to an event, ask yourself:
-Am I going with a good attitude?
-Do I look approachable?
-Am I confident that I have something to give AND that I'll get something out of this?

Here are some tips for bolstering your courage and developing conversations at events.*

1. Smile (NPR did research on the best way to start a conversation. Look at the person in the eye, smile and say, "HELLO.")

2. Be genuine and learn about the person you are talking to. You can become a 'great conversationalist' by asking a few questions. "What are you working on these days?" "How did you get into that field?" "What do you like best about ....?"

3. Set a goal. I will meet three new people tonight. I will remember two people's names and introduce them to someone else.

4. Create an agenda. 85% of people who attend networking event have no idea what they'd like to get out of the experience.

5. Prepare. Read a good book** about networking.

6. Listen generously. Even if you are shy and feel intimidated or make an incorrect assumption, as I did earlier in the day, odds are good that people will reach out and help you... even if you stumble.

** I'm biased, because I teach workshops based on the content from the book MAKE YOUR CONTACTS COUNT, by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon from which these 6 tips* are derived.*

MAKE YOUR CONTACTS COUNT is jam packed with tools, checklists, assessments, strategies and tactics for getting bottom-line results from your networking efforts and making your contacts count! You should check out the workshops, webinars or pick up a copy today!

YOU CAN DO IT!

I just watched the most amazing, uplifting and motivating video. Susan Boyle, captured the crowd, in her rendition of I DREAMED A DREAM. The audience, the judges were clearly against her. One judge noted, 'we were all cynical'.

I was thrilled to see her give them a huge wake up call. They laughed at her because she said she'd like to be like Elaine Page. And SHE DID IT!! She belted out the song from Les Mis and sounded like a pro!

She wasn't flustered, she didn't waver when they rolled their eyes and laughed at her.... and maybe she didn't know.... but good for her.... let's all practice the Susan Boyle effect, and give people a chance; be careful of assumptions. We're all guilty, to some degree of that. Susan Boyle is beautiful in her own right, and I had goose bumps when I saw the video and heard the judges give her the praise she deserved.

Have you ever been discouraged with your job search and with your networking efforts? Next time you go to an event or to an interview and feel intimidated ... believe in yourself. Remember how Susan Boyle stood there, unassuming on the stage, and opened her mouth to become a star. I hope you pull a 'Susan Boyle' and simply show the world who you are and what your talents are.

Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg