Be Memorable. (In a Good Way).

Effective introductions are a crucial tool for every business person. 

Most business people get to (must) introduce themselves regularly whether it’s at a networking event, to a prospect or at a business event. So, having a couple of well-prepared, suitable introductions is a very good idea.

The key to a good introduction is to be memorable – but in a good way.

As a franchisee for a referral networking organization, I’ve heard A LOT of introductions (about 2,500 by my last calculation). Here are a few of my recommendations:

First, start with your name – every time. People like to know who they’re talking to.

Second, tell me what business you’re in, especially at a business networking event.This one takes a bit of explanation. If your business name doesn’t describe what you do, then please tell me what business you’re in. If you make me guess (by being too cute or clever), I’ll get frustrated and that’s not the memorable first impression you’re going for. If you’re a lawyer, tell me “I’m a lawyer”. 

Now's the time to tell me something interesting, specific, funny, memorable and short about you and your business.

This is when you add the memorable part. This part takes practice. Decide what you like best about your business then describe it in 8 seconds (or less). Your desire is to get me, or whoever you’re being introduced to, to ask you that magic question, “How do you do that?” That magic question moves you from a simple introduction to an engaged conversation. 

And that's your goal.

Here’s my introduction, “My name is Christel, I build and manage business referral networks. The business people my referral network made $13 million for each other last year.” The response, every time, is “Wow. How do they do that?”

Celebrate International Networking Week

Since the dawn of the business, networking has been crucial to success. If you ran the local general store word of mouth ensured all your neighbours were your customers. Connecting with people was essential then and it’s an essential tool in today’s business climate. 

The purpose of International Networking Week® is to raise the profile of networking.

Begun 9 years ago as an initiative of BNI®, International Networking Week® celebrates the key role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the world. The focus of International Networking Week® is to bring together representatives of numerous networks - government, businesses and the community - to network with each other and understand the concept of good networking.  

Celebrate International Networking Week® at a BNI meeting near you. Click here to see the list of BNI chapters in Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton and Niagara. 

Pick a chapter near you and visit. You’ll see networking in action. Or, if you prefer, email me at christel@bnigh.com and I’ll be happy to arrange a visit for you. 

Watch the Official 2015 International Networking Week® Video now to learn how you can benefit from joining in this worldwide celebration of the key role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the globe!

Thou Shall Not Sell At A Networking Event...Ever

As we begin a new year here’s a networking commandment that bears remembering: thou shall not sell at a networking event – ever. 

The problem with some networking events is that people network for new business. Here’s a question I’ve asked many times.

“How many people are here today to buy something?"

I can promise you the majority of the time, no one’s, absolutely no one’s, hand goes up. Yet, business people still have the objective of “getting new business” at networking events. It is the most frustrating networking behaviour – for those doing it and those exposed to it.

When we have the “gotta get me some business” attitude at a networking function it means we’re in sales mode. We’ve all seen that sales person. It looks something like this… rapid-fire …“Hi, my name’s Christel, I sell underwater baskets and I can get you the right basket no matter what and I sell to tall people, blue-eyed people, blonde-haired people, young people, old people, brown-haired people. I can sell to everybody. Sign here to buy a basket!” 

I know, you can feel yourself stepping back, can’t you?

So, let’s take another approach. Let’s try networking mode.

When we go to a networking event in networking mode we’re looking to make connections, not sales. And that’s the best networking behaviour.

We attend the event with a plan to: 1) meet a few people (who might become mutually beneficial relationships); 2) make a good impression; and, 3) schedule a next meeting. 

That’s effective networking. Try it at your next (and every) networking event.