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Business Networking in Sydney
© David Newton
6/26/08

How you can climb the social ladder to success when attending business social functions.

There you go, you've been invited to attend a meeting and hob knob with other business people. You're a bit scared, not sure what to do, but you're eager to go along and maybe you'll meet a business person who will become a client.

Get ready before the meeting

1. Make sure you know what business you're in. Can you articulate it within a few words? If you can say what it is you do in about 25 to 50 words you'll do okay.

Business cards and flyers

2. Be really ready a few days beforehand by printing up new business cards and if possible print up some flyers. I use flyers which are A5 sized (that’s an A4 cut in half) you can get these photocopied off at good old Office Works, or Kinko's for very low prices. Colour works best as it stands out. You can bring your flash drive to these shops and print straight from a PDF file while you wait.

Dress standards

3. As they say, first impressions are all you have, so make sure you look clean, comfortable and well attired. If you look good, you'll be sure to attract more people to come over and chat with you.

Another thing, make it easier for yourself to have your business cards on handy when you are chatting. Have your cards either in your top pocket or in your carry bag, business folder, brief case at a hands reach.

Talking among other guests and members

4. There is a simple formula that you can use to get a conversation going. Remember these are people who are just like you. They maybe also a bit shy at first and some maybe motor mouths. Either way, you'll need to get a balance of you listening and you being able to share your own story. Fair enough?

Here's what you can do; -

Ask them things like:

o Tell me a bit about yourself?
o What type of business are you involved with?
o What is your greatest challenge running your business?
o Are you a local to ______ (meeting venue suburb) or did you travel from a further distance?

Sharing your story can go like this:

Can I tell you about myself?
Let me share with you about my business?

Suggest a helping hand for them ......

Say - I know this friend of mine who runs ____ and she could help you with that business challenge.

Hey - I read a book the other day which was all about _____ it could be just the ticket for your business challenge.

Small talk is also recommended

5. One constant complaint with business meetings is that some people ONLY talk about business. Yeah, and they never reveal about themselves which leads some of the people they are hitting on, that these folks only care about the "holy dollar". Don't slip into this folly. Become a bit human, and have a bit to share of yourself.

This can be - traffic snarls on the motorway. Car parking and tell them about your friends or family.

Even your hobbies can be a good topic to talk about too.

On the other hand, don't be a sad sack and always harp on about your woes and troubles. There are a small few who like to business sales freaks, only talk about doom and gloom. Don't let that be you okay.

After meeting follow ups

6. Why collect all those business cards and do nothing? Staring at your collection of cards and flyers after a meeting won't get you very far. Worse still some people throw cards and flyers out too fast. Eeeek!!!!! How silly is that?

Needless to say, some of these people don't know how business works and very little about transacting with people in an ongoing fashion.

What you can do:

o Call each one after the meeting and ask to meet for a casual cup of coffee.
o Write a short email of thanks to them and also ask for a meeting over a cuppa.
o Ask them IF they would like to get mailers from you (never assume that they automatically will say yes, ask always) if so place them on your list.
o Exchange links on yours and theirs websites if appropriate.
o Invite them to attend other events and get to know them.

In short, build a relationship with them. Ask them to join with you on facebook or something. Create a bond and follow up.

Great business relationships work because you do, not by mere chance. It takes follow up.

Invite your friends to a business meeting

7. The way we build our meetings at Entrepreneurs Sydney is with your help. Ask your friends to attend with you at a meeting and get them enthused about hearing new speakers and business people give secrets to building your business better.

The more you help others to grow in business, the easier you'll grow as business person and also on a personal level too. By helping others you'll help yourself.