Power Up Your Networking

Alabama Nurse, Jun-Aug 2003

Think you know how to network in a room full of strangers? Here are some ways to be more effective.

1. If you have cold feet or a "sense of terror" as you enter the room visualize your goal to meet as many people as possible. The visualization will make your cold feet vanish.

2. Leave your best friend at the door. You need to work individually to maximize your contacts. Remember that two people approaching a stranger can be intimidating.

3. To help make the first contact, select someone alone. If everyone is engaged in conversation go to the food table and engage a fellow eater.

4. If nervous, pretend this is your party and welcome a stranger to the party.

5. Offer your hand when introducing yourself. Practice your handshake with a friend before the event. You want a handshake somewhere between a "flabby fish" and a "bone crunching" grip.

6. If ignored by a fellow attendee walk on and say, "Nice to see you." Don't take it personally.

7. Networking conversation is never profound. It helps to start with a question, and a good sure bet is something about today's program. Another safe bet is to bring up any common interest.

8. A good opener is "What do you do?" When you are asked to give details about yourself give more than a job title - use some action verbs to describe yourself. Ask for a business card if one is not offered.

9. Taboo conversation topics include religion and politics.

10. After you get home, file the business cards and write brief notes to your contacts. Tell them how glad you were to meet them. If you promised to send them something do it immediately. If this is a contact you need remain in communication every few months to keep your network alive.

Adapted from "Successful Meetings," November 2002