Platinum Author
There are plenty of experts offering good advice about what you should do when it comes to business networking. Nevertheless, from time to time it's also important to fully understand what you should not do and what you need to steer clear of. If you really want to network effectively and successfully, then there are 5 things that you really might want to avoid. We're going to deal with what things to avoid, why you should avoid them, and make suggestions about what you should do alternatively. With the above considered, listed below are the 5 things you should avoid.
1. Never try to sell your services or products during an initial encounter. The principal reasons that you ought not to do that are;
- You have not established any trust or any real credibility just yet.
- Typically, people will buy or refer those whom they know, like, and trust.
- You are doing yourself and your potential client or partner an injustice by not giving your wares the 100% attention they deserve. A closed, focused setting is best when it comes to selling.
Instead of the hard sell, you might prefer to make a good impression and set the stage for a meeting in the future
2. Don't assume what the person you're talking to is thinking. The reason you will want to do this is because you may be giving too much information or possibly not enough. As an alternative, it would be better if you simply ask a lot of questions and actively check to see if the person is listening and is interested in what is being said.
3. Be mindful about discussing sensitive issues. This is a matter of grave importance because a person's religious or political views may not be in line with yours. Instead, you should speak about positive current events, ask questions regarding their needs, and be pleasantly professional.
4. Try not to interrupt what seems to be an intense conversation. The reasoning of why this is a mistake is when two people are engaged in an interesting conversation that may be leading somewhere, the last thing you want to plant in their mind is an impression/memory of you cutting the conversation short. As an alternative, you really should seek out those who are alone or people standing with their shoulder blades apart from each other in a V-shape, who seem to be open for an introduction.
5. Invading a person's personal space. It's sometimes hard to avoid this but everyone has their own standard of what is too close. Keep in mind that an invasion of a person's personal space can be the ultimate insult to some, so pay attention to a person's body language while in close contact.
Make sure to steer clear of the 5 errors discussed above, accept the alternative suggestions offered if you would like but regardless, avoid the errors and your chances for ultimate success will be very much enhanced.
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About this Author
John H. Lee (JohnTheNetworker) is a Lead Generation Specialist, Host, and Consultant, of professional and social events in the Greater Philadelphia Area, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._H._Lee
