While at a local breakfast networking event this morning I was talking to a business advisor who mentioned an up-coming event on — of all things — networking.
On the face of it, meeting people appears to be a simple task — after all, we’re social animals, so hard could it be?
Hmm.
Here, the context is business and a lot of business people have become resilient to sales talk. Now, if you’re a salesperson, you know the tricks of the trade here, so you might not need (or want) to read on.
I’m not a salesman, I solve problems and fix things.
So, I use a few basic rules…
- Have a goal in mind — or several, if need be.
- If asked for your opinion, speak with great care and be diplomatic.
- Avoid talking about things you’re not familiar with or know little about.
- Skip the sales talk, listen, and then wrap an idea around those things that pain them.
- For goodness sake remember the damn names of the people you’re talking to!
- Oh, and don’t forget the business cards.
Let me know how you get on.