7 BUSINESS NETWORKING TIPS

1. Visualize. If you tend to feel uncomfortable at networking events, practice a visualization exercise. Think of an excellent networker, visualize yourself feeling confident, smiling, meeting strangers, shaking hands, making introductions and opening conversations.

2. Prepare an elevator speech. Who you are, what you do, who you do it for and how what you do that benefits others, makes their lives easier or more interesting

3. Remember your appearance, posture and body language. Keep your head up, shoulders back and down and your chin level. Good posture makes you look more confident .Exhibit open receptive body language so that people feel that you are approachable and find it easy to come up and talk to you. Be first to smile. Make eye contact and shake hands.

4. Eat beforehand so you won’t be too hungry. Keep your right hand free. Don’t carry food or drink in your right hand because you will need it for handshaking. If you are not comfortable holding a drink and plate of food in one hand (your left), do one thing at a time. Have a drink in your hand or food, but not both. Alternatively, do what the Royals do, circulate first and then eat or drink.

1. Be aware of personal space. Respect people’s personal space, which varies from culture to culture. Getting too close to a person can trigger their fight or flight response. Intrusions are bad for rapport especially if they are a surprise.

2. Don’t forget to Smile, smile, smile. It is a powerful communication tool and one of your most valuable assets. It is warm and welcoming and brings an immediate connection.

3. Brush up on current events, today’s news stories, movies and sporting events so you can discuss topics other than business and engage in small talk. Avoid controversial topics such as politics and religion.