Article by: Mr.Pankaj Harwansh, Director, BNI-Navi Mumbai
Know your purpose for attending a networking event
There are many benefits to attending professional events, both for yourself and others. The professional benefits include networking opportunities, learning about new industry trends, and meeting potential employers or clients. The personal benefits can include gaining confidence, developing new skills, and making new friends. When deciding whether or not to attend an event, it is important to research the event organizers and sponsors, as well as the other attendees. This will help you set realistic goals for what you hope to gain from the experience.
Arrive on time
Arriving fashionably late to a networking event is a faux pas. It gives off the wrong impression to the other guests. Walking in late after the event has started shows a lack of respect for the event’s organizers and attendees.
Think of how you can help
Always try to keep in mind what you can do for the person you’re speaking with instead of only thinking about what you want from the conversation. This doesn’t mean that you should be a pushover but sounding too self-centred will make it difficult to create meaningful connections. Everyone present at an event like this has their own goals, so remember to be considerate of that.
Do your research
Big networking events can be great for making industry connections. However, with so many attendees, it can be difficult to stand out and create a meaningful connection.
One way to make the most of networking events is to research the attendees ahead of time. By learning about their backgrounds, you can use this information as an icebreaker. This way, you’ll be able to start a conversation that goes beyond the superficial small talk.
Be ready with conversation starters
If you’re feeling nervous about approaching a group of people, it can help to have a few conversation starters in mind. That way, you can ease into the situation and start a conversation successfully.
One approach is to introduce yourself to someone who is also flying solo and looking for someone to talk to. This can help break the ice and make it easier to approach other people in the group.
Another option is to join an existing conversation. Listen for a few moments to see what everyone is talking about, and then engage with your thoughts or questions.
Stop being fake
Although some people might see networking as an opportunity to gossip, it’s important to be your authentic self at these events. It’s important to dress professionally yet wear clothes that reflect your style. This way, you’ll appear confident and attract people who are interested in working with you because they get a sense of who you are as a person.
Don’t hasten to conclude
Intimate networking events provide an opportunity to connect with people in a more personal way, so take advantage of that by getting to know potential contacts better. Don’t be so quick to dismiss someone who might not be in your industry – you never know where a conversation might lead. You might just make a valuable connection that could lead to great things.
Utilise the open networking time
Smaller sessions provide an opportunity for you to share your industry expertise with others through well-timed comments. This can help you build relationships and show off your knowledge to potential customers, partners, and employers.
Follow-up for future
Even if you exchange business cards with someone and promise to keep in touch, it’s easy to forget about them down the line. But if you want to make the most out of networking events, you need to push yourself to follow up with the contacts you made. Whether it’s a week or two later, send them an email or connect with them on social media. Let them know you’re thinking of them and that you’re looking forward to staying connected.
