Networking at non-Networking Events

From December 2017

This week's topic comes from Pod-cast #339 and is based on Chapter 23 of the book Networking Like a Pro.  I sent this out to my own chapter a few weeks ago, but thought everyone could benefit from the information.

The holidays are here and the time of the year when we attend many holiday events.  In podcast #30 we learned we can network anytime, anyplace. We can network anywhere as long as we honor the event. The important thing is to find a way to help people or make a connection with them, not to sell to them.  The reason that it's perfectly okay to network anywhere is because of givers gain, which is when you are networking, you are actually trying to help the person that you are networking with. You are NOT trying to do a sales job on that person. You are trying to deepen the relationship and find out how you might be able to help that person.

Dr. Misner goes on to say, 'I believe you can network anywhere, anytime. And you should be networking at non-networking events because I believe it is more of a lifestyle. Networking is more of a lifestyle that is about relationships. It's not just a skill. It is a mindset as well. You have to apply that mindset to the way you live your life. That is why I think if you honor the event, you can network anywhere, anytime, any place including at those holiday parties.'

Holiday parties are a great opportunity to really connect with people and to get to know them a little bit better on a personal level. 

It's a great way to get to network up if there are people there that you think are very successful and you want to get to know them better.  Don't be like everybody else. Everybody else is trying to sell to people. Don't be one of those guys. Don't be one of those ladies. Instead, get to know more about what people do and find an opportunity to somehow help them or make a good connection with them. It is the only chance you may have of ever seeing that person again on a regular basis.  Find a way to help them or connect with them.   

The secret sauce to networking at non-networking events is about generosity. It's about looking out for the other person. It's about being helpful and useful.  You really have to kind of put your personal needs in your pocket and just really focus on the other person.  Believe in the law of reciprocity, that what goes around comes around.

This technique is an effective one and people who use it definitely benefit it. Every now and then it doesn't work, but I can guarantee you that trying to sell to people when you meet them for the first time especially at non-networking events (or networking events) definitely doesn't work most of the time.

Just last evening I was at a holiday event and was able to introduce two friends who are in the same industry.  They were happy with the introduction, exchanged information with the purpose of referring business to each other.  And also provided a contact to a friend for a service she mentioned she needed.  It felt good to be able to help.