Comments on: Networking Tips That Might Actually Help http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2006/10/09/networking-tips-that-might-actually-help/ The thoughts and experiences of Merrill Dubrow Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:50:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Kevin Lonnie http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2006/10/09/networking-tips-that-might-actually-help/#comment-216 Kevin Lonnie Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:49:22 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2006/10/09/networking-tips-that-might-actually-help/#comment-216 Having just returned from The Market Research Event (where Merrell was networking) I can say that I agree with all the points Merrell has raised. And it's true you never know where you're going to meet friends/colleagues or potential clients. That's why you shave before you head downstairs to work out. You don't want to scare someone away who found you reasonably profressional the day before. The point being, when you're on the road, every public moment represents an opportunity. Best to have fun with that, have a good time and be someone who others would like to talk with. And don't try too hard. Nothing turns people off more than a hard sell when they're just trying to find the coffee. If you just chat for awhile, the natural inclination is for the other person to ask what you do for a living. And if not, there's always a good chance you'll see that individual down the road and they won't avoid you like the plague. So try to enjoy networking and let the party come to you. Having just returned from The Market Research Event (where Merrell was networking) I can say that I agree with all the points Merrell has raised. And it’s true you never know where you’re going to meet friends/colleagues or potential clients.

That’s why you shave before you head downstairs to work out. You don’t want to scare someone away who found you reasonably profressional the day before. The point being, when you’re on the road, every public moment represents an opportunity. Best to have fun with that, have a good time and be someone who others would like to talk with.

And don’t try too hard. Nothing turns people off more than a hard sell when they’re just trying to find the coffee. If you just chat for awhile, the natural inclination is for the other person to ask what you do for a living. And if not, there’s always a good chance you’ll see that individual down the road and they won’t avoid you like the plague.

So try to enjoy networking and let the party come to you.

]]> By: Lance Hoffman http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2006/10/09/networking-tips-that-might-actually-help/#comment-195 Lance Hoffman Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:25:53 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2006/10/09/networking-tips-that-might-actually-help/#comment-195 I think you covered all the bases, Merrill. However, to expand on the "where to sit" item, I would recommend taking it one step further. Unless you specifcally want to sit next to someone you have been meaning to talk to, I find that there is always an opportunity to sit a table where you know NO ONE! I agree that it doesn't matter whether or not you think they could be a potential client. If you sit at a table full of people you don't know, then at the end of that function (workgroup, lunch, dinner, etc.) you WILL KNOW, and will have made between 8-12 new contacts, depending on the size of your table! Along these lines - never talk with your mouth full (same thing goes for dating, if I recall - it's been so long). I think you covered all the bases, Merrill. However, to expand on the “where to sit” item, I would recommend taking it one step further. Unless you specifcally want to sit next to someone you have been meaning to talk to, I find that there is always an opportunity to sit a table where you know NO ONE! I agree that it doesn’t matter whether or not you think they could be a potential client. If you sit at a table full of people you don’t know, then at the end of that function (workgroup, lunch, dinner, etc.) you WILL KNOW, and will have made between 8-12 new contacts, depending on the size of your table! Along these lines - never talk with your mouth full (same thing goes for dating, if I recall - it’s been so long).

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