How to Get Away from People at a Networking Event
How to Get Away from People at a Networking Event
If you feel boxed in you have three choices. The first one is to say “Hey, how did we get into this stuffy corner, let’s move?” The second is to move to a more open spot. The third is to steer the group’s comfort zones. Start taking small steps over the course of a few minutes. It’s like a slow dance, take a step forward and the other person will move away from you to maintain their comfort zone distance. Take another step a minute or so later and they will unconsciously move again. If you do it too fast or take big steps, they will be aware of your actions. Try it next time you are in a group. It’s amazing how people react to being too close and how they easily respond.
2. Directing and Changing Conversation
Most people think their first conversation is the one they have to stick with for the entire night. No so. In fact, if you are serious about using your time wisely, be conscious and ‘awake’ to key words, relevant news or industry happenings. Next create conversation that relates to you, your product/service or your key message. I have a number of standard questions to start a conversation. They are: ‘What’s the best thing about your business at the moment?’ Or ‘In the last week, can you think of a moment that made you laugh?’ Or ‘If you could fix one thing in your business, what would it be?’ These questions allow individuals to share a little about their world. It steers the group away from gossip and negative conversation. In the mortgage broking business a question I would ask of potential clients would be: ‘So, here’s a dreamer’s question, if you were able to buy a house, what type would it be and where?’ Anyone with a clear answer to that question has been thinking about buying or building a house and they are ready for you to ask them more about it. What could your standard questions be? You need a few that are easy to say and remember.
3. Being the Leader
If you find yourself in a one-on-one conversation with a person clinging to you, not wanting to leave, they obviously feel comfortable with you and you are rescuing them from the scary task of meeting someone new. You have to take charge here and lead them. The best way to do this is to face the room and say to them, “We came here to network, out of the groups before us, which one will we join?” Then choose a group and enter the new circle. You will have joy and relief as they will talk to the person on their left and you talk to the person on your right. You are successfully out of the clinging conversation and have helped the clinger expand their confidence and connections.
You can master these three strategies to move through the room and groove in the conversation. So, what are you waiting for? Register today for professional, business or industry networking events where your ideal clients and connections will be and go for it !
How to Get Away from People at a Networking Event - To learn more about this author, visit Jen Harwood's Website.
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1. Use your Body
If you feel boxed in you have three choices. The first one is to say “Hey, how did we get into this stuffy corner, let’s move?” The second is to move to a more open spot. The third is to steer the group’s comfort zones. Start taking small steps over the course of a few minutes. It’s like a slow dance, take a step forward and the other person will move away from you to maintain their comfort zone distance. Take another step a minute or so later and they will unconsciously move again. If you do it too fast or take big steps, they will be aware of your actions. Try it next time you are in a group. It’s amazing how people react to being too close and how they easily respond.
2. Directing and Changing Conversation
Most people think their first conversation is the one they have to stick with for the entire night. No so. In fact, if you are serious about using your time wisely, be conscious and ‘awake’ to key words, relevant news or industry happenings. Next create conversation that relates to you, your product/service or your key message. I have a number of standard questions to start a conversation. They are: ‘What’s the best thing about your business at the moment?’ Or ‘In the last week, can you think of a moment that made you laugh?’ Or ‘If you could fix one thing in your business, what would it be?’ These questions allow individuals to share a little about their world. It steers the group away from gossip and negative conversation. In the mortgage broking business a question I would ask of potential clients would be: ‘So, here’s a dreamer’s question, if you were able to buy a house, what type would it be and where?’ Anyone with a clear answer to that question has been thinking about buying or building a house and they are ready for you to ask them more about it. What could your standard questions be? You need a few that are easy to say and remember.
3. Being the Leader
If you find yourself in a one-on-one conversation with a person clinging to you, not wanting to leave, they obviously feel comfortable with you and you are rescuing them from the scary task of meeting someone new. You have to take charge here and lead them. The best way to do this is to face the room and say to them, “We came here to network, out of the groups before us, which one will we join?” Then choose a group and enter the new circle. You will have joy and relief as they will talk to the person on their left and you talk to the person on your right. You are successfully out of the clinging conversation and have helped the clinger expand their confidence and connections.
You can master these three strategies to move through the room and groove in the conversation. So, what are you waiting for? Register today for professional, business or industry networking events where your ideal clients and connections will be and go for it !
How to Get Away from People at a Networking Event - To learn more about this author, visit Jen Harwood's Website.
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
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Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
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