NETWORKING OR NOTWORKING
Networking could be a full time job with events every time of the day in various locations from breakfast to dinner.
Over the last few weeks I have attended the excellent Revitalise event at Hamilton Park Racecourse ran by good friend Lee Foster and found myself in a room full of strangers singing about trains and nice hair under the watchful eye of Greig Friel. I've spent a few hours at the Drygate Brewery (unfortunately not sampling their fine ales!) and even attended the Club Five55 at the Grosvenor Casino.
Racecourse, brewery and casino!! Let's hope my wife hasn't been following me!!
I did get invited to attend a new event on 14th February in the evening but thought that was a step too far on Valentines Day!! My wife would definitely have thought that was a step too far.
Personally I find walking into a room full of "strangers" quite daunting but a recent connection did give me the advice that everyone is in the same position and actually walking up to someone and engaging in conversation is perfectly normal and expected.
One of my favourite formats/events is Speedy Meet Glasgow. It's a bit like speed dating (not that I've done that!). It's certainly a good way to get started.
There is a balance between letting people know about you and your business but at the same time being interested in what others want to tell you. My best practice advice would be to use initial chats as just a getting to know you opportunity. Any business can be done at a later date.
As a rule I usually do the following post network events.
Finally I've been to a few industry events in the last few weeks and these are great opportunities to network, although they do fall into the "Notworking" category. Highlight so far this month being a Burns Supper at Mansfield Traquair at a fantastic event hosted by Heritage Portfolio! Beautiful venue, outstanding food and great company/entertainment
Over the last few weeks I have attended the excellent Revitalise event at Hamilton Park Racecourse ran by good friend Lee Foster and found myself in a room full of strangers singing about trains and nice hair under the watchful eye of Greig Friel. I've spent a few hours at the Drygate Brewery (unfortunately not sampling their fine ales!) and even attended the Club Five55 at the Grosvenor Casino.Racecourse, brewery and casino!! Let's hope my wife hasn't been following me!!
I did get invited to attend a new event on 14th February in the evening but thought that was a step too far on Valentines Day!! My wife would definitely have thought that was a step too far.
Personally I find walking into a room full of "strangers" quite daunting but a recent connection did give me the advice that everyone is in the same position and actually walking up to someone and engaging in conversation is perfectly normal and expected.
One of my favourite formats/events is Speedy Meet Glasgow. It's a bit like speed dating (not that I've done that!). It's certainly a good way to get started.
There is a balance between letting people know about you and your business but at the same time being interested in what others want to tell you. My best practice advice would be to use initial chats as just a getting to know you opportunity. Any business can be done at a later date.
As a rule I usually do the following post network events.
- save any relevant info from collected business cards
- send a personalised email
- add new connections on LinkedIn
- check out new connections social media/websites and comment/like relevant posts etc
- arrange a follow up call
- arrange to meet for coffee
Key to all of this is pace and not rushing the relationship.
I suppose my biggest challenge is to find the right balance between attending the same events regularly and discovering new ones.
Finally I've been to a few industry events in the last few weeks and these are great opportunities to network, although they do fall into the "Notworking" category. Highlight so far this month being a Burns Supper at Mansfield Traquair at a fantastic event hosted by Heritage Portfolio! Beautiful venue, outstanding food and great company/entertainment
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