*Photo courtesy of daveypea
When in a business or social setting, networking is an exceedingly effective tool for extracting meaningful contacts and information. Follow the tips below to improve your general social skills.
1. Think of yourself as the host of the party or featured speaker at an event.
In football, the home team always has an advantage over the visitors. The reasons is simple -- they are more comfortable playing on their own field and in front of local fans than the opposing team. This comfort breeds familiarity, familiarity begets confidence, and confidence leads to fewer mistakes and more heroic feats. So one technique to harness the supreme confidence lurking within, is to act like you're literally the host of the party, even when you're not the host.
For example, when you meet people, say, "Hey, nice to meet you guys! Thanks for coming out." It's easy to be the life of the party when everybody feels welcomed by your presence. People feel your warm attitude and it becomes contagious. Suddenly, you will find yourself surrounded by other people who all want in on the good vibes you exude.
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be." - Kurt Vonnegut
2. Make an impression that will be remembered.
A distinct visual style is a good way to leave an impression which others will remember more easily (and more distinctly) than your words. Dress modishly and take (some) risks. Good fashion consists in successfully integrating your style with your mindset so both are in harmony. Just because you're in IT doesn't mean you have to wear IZOD knit shirts and Dockers to work every morning. You are allowed to keep up with modern fashion trends without being blackballed completely from your weekly meetings for being too "Hollywood."
3. If you make a verbal commitment, follow through as if it were written.
I'm curious as to the percentage of verbal agreements which are actually carried out in this country. Every agreement that has ever been made and kept, whether at a bar, sporting event, funeral, bris, etc., divided by the number of agreements total. I think the number may be soberingly small - a percentage similar to the size of a nanochip or the number of Texans who voted for the Green Party. If people actually followed through on the pledges they've made verbally, they would be shocked to find how rewarding it can be. Making an earnest effort on behalf of another, with no expectation or desire for reciprocation, is a gesture held in high regard, particularly in business. Use some self-restraint, and stop making verbal promises you won't follow-up on. On those you do make, however, employ all of your effort to execute your end of the deal. Sometimes you'll get burned; your partner will flake or start backing out. Failure is inevitable; every successful businessman has suffered similar wastes of his time and resources on his way to the top, but keeping your word is the best long-term investment.
"He who promises more than he is able to perform, is false to himself; and he who does not perform what he has promised, is a traitor to his friend." - George Shelley
4. Meet every single person.
Over-thinking and over-rehearsing what you are going to say will make you sound over-thought and over-reharsed. Instead, when you enter a venue, focus on the single goal of meeting everyone: security guards, bartenders, event staff, the guy in the bathroom giving you a paper towel. (You're the host, remember? It would only be polite.) The more people you meet, the better chance you have of meeting someone who can help you. Greet, meet, and move on. Only stay to chat when the other party beggs for you to join them. Since you're meeting everyone, there will be ample opportunities for you to display your depth; you can afford to be choosy. The main benefit of meeting as many people as possible is that the next time you meet, you will already have an instant connection.
"Lead the life that will make you kindly and friendly to everyone about you, and you will be surprised what a happy life you will lead." - Charles M. Schwab
5. Smile.
Meeting new people is supposed to be fun; try to make every interaction a positive one. If you're entering a group, try to provide more positive energy then what you sense from the group. They will rise to your level. Smile like you own the place. Smile like the host of the party who's already downed five shoots of Grey Goose before 11:30 PM. Smile to the people who can't help you the most. Thank them for their time, because you've squandered theirs just as much as your own.
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss
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