How many times do you find yourself standing at an event where everyone else seems to be talking to someone? There's only so long you can spend messing about at the drinks table, so here are some ideas to initiate and maximise meetings...
#01
PEOPLE ARE ONLY PEOPLEDon't be disrespectful to positions but remember that cabinet ministers, celebrities,
CEOs and peers of the realm are all as approachable (or not, as the case may be) as the rest of us. Just keep focused.
#02
LISTENWe were created with twice as much hearing as speaking capacity, so we should listen twice as much as we talk — people will tell you want they want, given half a chance.
#03
BUSINESS CARDS ARE VITALHow many times do we go to events and forget our business cards? Don't keep them in their plastic boxes. Stash them all over the place — in your bags, briefcases, inside pockets and wallets and purses. But keep them pristine. Dog eared cards don't look good. When you're given a card, spend a few moments looking at it — don't just shove it in your pocket. This is a person you're holding.
#04
TAKE ACTION AT ONCETry and agree an outcome from your discussion — if that's is what you're (both) looking for — such as a phone call, email or another meeting. Ask if you can use their business card to jot down what you've promised to do on the reverse. Then do what you agreed that day if you can. Or at least send an email summarising what you or they are going to do. It makes them feel important and you look professional.
#05
KEEP A FILING SYSTEMDownload the card details into Outlook or whatever else you use. Note down where and when you met the person. And do a quick search for others you know in the same organisation. It might be useful to mention them to your new contact.
#06
SEIZE THE DAYBe neither mercenary nor brash, but look on every encounter as an opportunity. On a train, in a lift, in a queue. If people don't want to talk to you, you'll soon get the message.
#07
DON'T BE SHY...Think about what's the worst that can happen: someone is rude to you and tells you to go away. Provided you've not been intrusive, it's their problem, not yours.
#08
EMAIL ETIQUETTEPeople may not respond immediately. Send the exact same email a second time, ie without pressing resend and having 'FW' appear in the subject box and blue writing. Why? Because this looks like a telling off. More often than not, people will remember your first message and respond to this one. If they don't, then don't be scared either to archive or delete the email. It makes for less rejection when reviewing your Sent items!
#09
BE POSITIVEDespite Point 8, you have to keep smiling. People like happy, enthusiastic people. This is one infection others are (usually) happy to catch… If they don't want to, they need different treatment!
#10
DON'T LEAVE A MESSAGEIf you want to speak to someone on the phone, don't leave a message. Simply call back again later. Leaving a message means you tick your to-do list of having called them, but you haven't actually accomplished the task. And you'll get upset the longer your call goes unanswered. Not leaving a message still leaves the ball in your court.
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