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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Whats an Entreprenerd? (incl: A Prep Checklist for Networking Events)

Imagine - you're leaving the office for a business networking event. Its a new group, one with high-potential for making excellent contacts. Are you hearing a little voice in your head saying something like:
"Ohmigosh..! I've got 45 minutes to get to that stupid networking thingy. I hate those things, I never know what to say. Everybody always seems so slick - and a little bit smarmy. Maybe I won't know a soul. . . what if I blow it off?"
That voice is your Inner Entreprenerd.

But you've already paid for the ticket. You're behind on the prospecting goal you set for with your manager this quarter. And you just told her that you'd see her there at the event. Can you really afford to blow it off?

Your first step is to relax. Then, if your face the fact that, for the moment anyway, you're still an Entreprenerd, you'll have an easier time tonight for sure. No big deal amigo, we've all been there. The only difference between you and a Polished Pro? Currently, you aren't implementing enough useful strategies for building and managing your professional relationships.That's a totally solvable problem.



 

Here's what a Polished Pro thinks as they're heading out the door to their next networking event:
"Business cards? Check. Directions? Yep. Elevator pitch? Ready. List of three people I want to meet tonight? Check, check, check!"
With my coaching and workshops, many of my colleagues, friends, and allies have transformed themselves from Entreprenerds into Polished Pros - and I'm happy to show you how to do it too. Below are Four Simple Techniques that Most People Miss that can put you ahead of the game:

Prep Checklist For Networking Events
  • Block-out an hour the day after each event, and use this time to send out  thank you emails, make LinkedIn requests, forward links to useful articles to your contacts , and enter all of that fresh'n'sparkly contact data into your CRM (or other contact tracking tool)
  • Use a business card holder – pick one that’s small, simple, and has two pockets for other people’s cards
  •  Remember to bring your business cards
  • An remember to bring your smile - and use it! Share it with everyone you meet, along with a story of one of your recent professional victories or successes




Your comments are always welcome.
See you there!




 

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