Opinion: 10 networking basics often missed

10 networking basics often missed

Credit: iStock/Wavebreakmedia

How to be thoughtful and make connections, too

Last week we were at a networking event of about 300 people at a sit-down lunch. While some of the networking behaviours we noticed were simply missed opportunities, a few were cringeworthy. That lunch inspired these networking tips.

1. Take advantage of the time before the event begins
If you want to make sure you get a good seat, go into the room and place something on your chair to save it. But don’t sit down and wait for the event to happen. If there are people already at your table or around you, get up and introduce yourself and start a conversation. If you’re early or the room isn’t full, go back to the reception area.

2. Talk to the sponsors
Often there are a number of tables in the reception area for the sponsors of the event. If you can’t find a friendly group of attendees to approach, go over and learn something about the sponsors. Even if you may not think their services or information are applicable to you, remember this bit of advice given to us by Beau Olmstead, VP at Royal Bank of Canada: “I tell my team, ‘Go to the event and see if you can find connections and information for our clients.'”

3. Keep your table vibe friendly
If you are saving seats for people, don’t tip the chairs in toward the table. Not only is this a navigation hazard in tight spaces, it suggests “no random people welcome at this table.” A better way to save those seats is by putting something on the chairs: a few business cards, the program, a scarf. If someone comes to your table to sit down, you can let them know you’re saving the seats, but you can also say, “Please join us, these other two seats are free.”

4. Talk to the human being next to you
Three people were sitting at a table near us, and a fourth person approached the table. The new guy asked, “Is this seat free?” He got a nod, sat down and then no one said anything. Extend your hand, introduce yourself, and talk to the new person who joins your table. It was painful to watch as the other people ignored the new guy. Of course, the new guy could have reached out as well.

5. Take the time to put on a name tag 
If the event organizer provides name tags, please use them. Print your first name big and neatly so it can be read across a table. Seeing someone’s name makes it easier to bring them in to the conversation. And yes, there’s a correct place to wear a name tag. Wear it on the right-hand side. Since you shake with your right hand, you create a direct line of sight that leads straight to your name.

6. Make introductions as a matter of course
If someone you know comes over and starts a conversation with you but you’ve been in a conversation with the person beside you, ask: “Do you know each other?” If not, make the introduction. You would think people would automatically do this, but they don’t.

7. Just ask for a business card
Frequently when you give someone your business card, you don’t receive one back. The solution is simple: ask for one. You’ll find that people are happy to give you their card, if they have one.

8. Carry at least seven cards
Most business or association functions have tables set for eight—you’ll have a card for everyone at your table. But bring more. Our mantra: You can never have too many business cards, only too few.

9. Introduce yourself to everyone at the table
Before the event starts, make sure that you get up and walk around the table and meet everyone. Exchange business cards, and have a brief conversation. If people arrive late, make sure you acknowledge them and bring them into the conversation.

10. Toss out a conversation topic
There are usually 30 minutes before the actual speaker presentation begins, and that’s time for conversation as you eat your meal. Do something bold. Before everyone pairs off and talks to the person next to them for the whole meal, toss out a question to the table. It means finding a break when no one is speaking (surprisingly, not that hard) and asking a question that allows everyone to contribute an answer. Our question was, “How would everyone at this table rate the recent budget: A, B, C or F?” It was interesting to get everyone’s opinion, and at our table there were a few experts, as well as some business people who had really been impacted. It made for an informative conversation. We went from topic to topic and everyone participated. That’s networking!

Gayle Hallgren-Rezac, Judy Thomson and Darcy Rezac, principals of Shepa Learning Company, are keynote speakers and authors of Work the Pond! Use the Power of Positive Networking to Leap Forward in Work and Life (Penguin/Prentice Hall). They teach the skills of networking and communication to corporate clients, universities and business associations. Please sign up for their free weekly networking tipit’s always under 200 words.