As autumn conference / symposium season approaches (FNCE is just around the corner), you suffer from "butterfly-it" on the very mention of a network for professional / business functions? If you answered "yes, you're not alone: Many registered dietitians and other specialists, food becomes a little uncomfortable when it comes to the right to step up to someone and starts talking. Many others are concerned about getting effective results from the time they spend online. process should not be traumatic, scary or a waste of time. If done correctly, it can really make a difference in the amount of business you or your facility generates. With the right approach, you can use it to create a wealth of resources and contacts that will help make you are very successful.
Do you have your own consulting business meals, you're on the subject, or manage one, use the following ten commandments to help you network your way through your next professional / Networking event:
1. Have the tools to network with you at all times
These include an informative name badge, business cards, brochures about your business, and a pocket business card file containing cards of other professionals, who can be contacted.
2. Set goals for the number of people you meet
Define achievable goals based on attendance and type of group. If you feel inspired, set a goal to meet 15-20 people and make sure you get all your cards. If you do not feel so hot, shoot for less money. In any case, do not leave until you have met your goal.
3. Act as a host, not guest
The owner is expected to do something for others, while a guest sits back and relaxes. Volunteers to help greet people. If you see visitors sitting, introduce yourself and ask if they would like to meet with others. Act as a conduit.
4. Listen and ask questions
Remember that good Networker has two ears and one mouth and uses them proportionately. Once you know what the other person does, tell them what you are doing. Be specific but brief. Do not think that they know their business.
5. Do not try to close the deal
Professional / business events should not be a means to impact on potential customers to buy your products or services. Networking is about developing relationships with other professionals. Meeting people at events should be at the beginning of this process, not an end.
6. Give direction to the extent possible
Best networkers believe in the philosophy of givers gain (what is happening around, comes around). If I can help you, you will help me and we'll both do better as a result. In other words, if you're not really trying to help people you meet, you are not networking effectively. If you can not give someone a good-faith areas, try to offer some information that may be of interest to them (for example, details about the upcoming event).
7. Exchanging business cards
Ask each person you meet for two cards - one to switch to another and from one to keep. This creates the conditions for networking to happen.
8. Manage your time effectively
Spend ten minutes or less with each person you meet and not to stay with friends or partners (you already know them!). If your goal is to satisfy a given number of people, be careful not to spend too much time with anyone. When you meet someone interesting, who do you want to talk further, make an appointment at a later date.
9. Take notes on the backs of business cards you collect
Record anything you think might be useful in remembering each person more clearly. This is useful when you follow up each contact.
10. Follow-up!
You can observe the previous nine commandments of religion, but if you do not follow-up effectively, you have spent your time. Drop note, email or call to everyone you met. Make sure to perform any promises you made.
As a leading staffing company focused on the placement of Registered Dietitians in the interim and long-term contract role as a consultant dietitians in hospitals, long-term care and other facilities, our ability to network is critical to our success. How Dietitians On Demand, these ten commandments can lead you through the creation of each conference / symposium and networking event you attend this year even more fruitful.
Called the father of modern network CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner is a New York Times bestselling author. He is the founder and chairman of BNI (www.bni.com), the largest business networking organization in the world. His latest book, networks such as Pro, you can look at http://www.IvanMisner.com. Dr. Misner is also the senior partner in the direction of the institute, an international company, preparation directions.
