Todays post was written by Lorna Barrow, an extraordinary business coach and writer. Read her 7 tips to get the most of networking.
The last time I was in New York City, I looked through my hotel window and I saw a guy giving out flyers like crazy. His was really a class act. He managed to deftly hand one to every passerby on his left side at the same time as every vehicle driver on the right. Did he notice that most of them just balled them up and threw them in the garbage? Did he care? He was just hustling!
Last month I went to a cocktail reception hosted by one of my colleagues to launch a new product and there was the Hustler’s brother!
He was standing in the corner near the door with a big smile that had frozen in place over time and he was handing out business cards to anyone who came within three feet of him. Did he notice that not many people bother to look at them? Did he care? He was networking!
If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times. If you think networking is about meeting as many people as you can, telling them about yourself and handing out hundreds of business cards, you are wrong.