How NOT to Network at Events

Recently I had an opportunity to mingle and network with a lot of other business professionals at a breakfast event. I used to love going to these types of events because, like most everyone who goes, I wanted to make more contacts and expand my database.

What I've found in the last year or two is that I now seem to use these events as a training ground for myself to observe networking behaviors of other professionals. What I observed at this event was mostly what NOT to do when meeting others for the first time.

Almost every single person I met immediately whipped out a business card and went into 'sales mode'. Holy Cow! I just met you and you want to tell me why I need your product or service!? How about a little rapport building first?

Not that I'm perfect in my networking habits, but I've learned to treat others as I would want to be treated (the golden rule, if you will). It's almost as if you can tell immediately when someone is on commission only, or being pressured by quotas, or just doesn't have a clue about sales.

So my advice to others would be to be friendly, ask lots of questions about the other person and what they do, and if they ask you about your business keep it brief and turn the attention back to them. If there is truly an interest, ask them if they would be interested in learing more about each other at a lunch or sharing a cup of coffee.

To view it in a humorous context, you don't want to 'scare the squirrel away' with sudden movements when you're trying to get him to take the peanuts from your hand.