Face-to-face networking is the wisest choice when starting relationships. One of the major reasons is that about 90 percent of in-person communication is conveyed nonverbally. A person’s walk, posture, handshake, eye contact, facial expressions and appearance as well as tone, rate, pitch, speed and inflection share volumes of information … and is missing online. If…
Business cards are still a vital part of face-to-face networking. In this electronic age, business cards are still the easiest, most effective and most professional way to exchange information. The next effective step is to record the information into your database. Then feel free to dispose if you are so inclined. Etiquette is that if…
Nametags go on the right! Elementary my dear Watson … or so I thought when it comes to the question of right or left for tags not on languards. I learned differently when covering tips like this for an audience including CEOs. This exercise will help you understand why. Pretend you are shaking hands. Pay…
There are 86,400 seconds in a day; yet it takes 10 or fewer to make a first impression. Every color you wear and every movement you make (your walk, posture, handshakes, eye contact, facial expressions) often speak before your words and definitely more loudly. Know what impression you want to create in every networking venue…
Ever wonder why what you say in networking conversations often appears to go into a black hole? It may be because 90 percent of people listen autobiographically (What’s in it for me?) while only 10 percent listen emphatically (What’s in it for the other person?) Consciously focus how what you do benefits others. And now…
Articulate succinctly when someone asks what you do. Unless you are speaking to someone in your industry, ask and answer questions in lay language. Use active verbs, the most powerful words in the English language, and include benefits for the other person. Let them know clearly what’s in it for them. Lillian D. Bjorseth – www.duoforce.com…
Networking is not just about the other person nor is it just about you. It is a balancing act. It’s about sharing information so that when an encounter has ended a decision can be made if this can develop into a mutually beneficial relationship. Lillian D. Bjorseth – www.duoforce.com