Have you ever met someone at an event that you just knew you weren’t going to do business with, keep in touch with or contact–EVER? That’s how badly they blew it when you two met.
It happened to me last night. I was at a CEO mixer with hundreds of people. It was a wonderful evening and well worth my time as I walked away with 6 hot prospects, 3 potential JV partners and quite a few connections. So all is wonderful in my magnetic world this morning!
However, it never ceases to amaze me how people can be so tactless when it comes to networking. I REALLY wish this woman I “met” would read my “Networking Mojo Kit” — after all it is absolutely FREE.
HERE’S HOW TO BLOW IT WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS & JV PARTNERS…
I just had a wonderful conversation with a prospect and was taking a sip of water before moving on when a woman walks up to me.
STEP ONE: She leans in and squints to see my name tag and says, “Hi Rhonda.”
STEP TWO: She shoves her business card in my hand.
STEP THREE: She says, “Nice to meet you” and walks off!
Hmmm, not very magnetic. Right? I just stood there thinking, “Did that just happen?” She didn’t ask me about what I did. She didn’t ask for my card. Basically, she left all the “power to contact” in my hands. A huge no-no since most people never follow up!
Needless to say, without revealing the name of her company — the initials are R.P.I. But if she doesn’t wise up soon, her company may R.I.P. (Rest In Peace — if you didn’t get it).
If you were her, would you want to know you’re repelling people? Voice your opinion by leaving a comment below…
YOUR TURN TO TAKE ACTION!
Next time you meet someone make sure you project your most magnetic presence:
1) Look them in the eye, smile and shake his or her hand while introducing yourself.
2) Ask them an intriguing question that creates a positive connection. What do you like most about your work? What are you passionate about?
The world has become so virtual that people are craving human connection. When you look them in the eye and smile, you’re creating an instant connection. Let them know you see them and acknowledge them. Asking them what they are passionate about or what they like most about work puts them in a positive mood.
You want to be remembered in a positive light. Too many conversations go down the “what’s not right” road, take the other one.
To your magnetic success!
Rhonda Cort
“Your Presence, Power and Connection Specialist (TM)”
P.S. After you’ve shared the love and left a comment:
- If you don’t have my “Networking Mojo Kit”, get it now. Just fill out the form in the column on the right.
- Check your inbox or spam folder for an email from “Magnetic Mojo”. Click the link inside to confirm and you will receive a second email with the link to the “Networking Mojo Kit”.
- Try out my suggestions. It’s got some great information on how to be even more spectacular networker in just 3 simple steps!
March 19th, 2010 on
Great post, Rhonda! What you described is an unfortunately frequent scene at networking functions; people don’t know how to really connect with another person and just end up showing/selling whatever they peddle – it never takes them far.
I love your “intriguing questions” – great suggestions to immediately be different and initiate the conversation in a powerful way that lets us really get to know the person we are meeting.
Smiles,
Adam
March 19th, 2010 on
Great post, Rhonda! So happy to see you doin’ your thang!
Awesome tips … love the questions you recommended. So much better to engage and really connect than to waste time talking about “what I do” … they’ll get to that eventually, if the two people are a fit. More important to connect!
Hugs,
Col
March 19th, 2010 on
WOW what useless networking that woman did. That wasn’t networking. I call that “puking out your stuff at people.”
I was at a live event and the emcee Devon had a contest of having people collect the most business cards during the break. Several people asked me for one but I wouldn’t give them unless I was having a meaningful conversation. I did my part to support appropriate, magnetic, TRUE networking
Warmly,
Ronda
March 19th, 2010 on
@Adam – Much gratitude Adam! You’re right, being different is initiating the conversation in a powerful way. This is one of the main ways to be remembered. In fact, this is something you do well. And there’s nothing fake about it. You are really there to see how you can make someone’s business even more successful after just a short conversation with you.
@Col – Thank you Col! So happy to have your beautiful face grace my blog post! You are a master at truly connecting with people. That is why people come to you instead of going to others who are “just another graphic designer”. You care, brainstorm and give them fresh ideas. You put your heart into your work.
@Ronda – I know Ronda! Ridiculous! Love the colorful terminology “puking out your stuff at people”. Hmmm, I may have to borrow it when speaking. It REALLY describes how the other person feels! I agree 100%, it’s not about the quantity of the cards you collect or pass out, it’s about the quality of the connections.
March 21st, 2010 on
Really well article.