Dawn Winder’s – `world of brands` diary

June 2005

 

Over the last few weeks I have enjoyed meeting a lot of new people on-line and off-line. Last time, I spoke of some of the misconceptions of networking. Today I will talk about some of my experiences of off-line networking.

 

This month I was speaker for the Surrey Institute’s launch for their graduates ‘creative entrepreneurs club’; a place for graduates to network. I spoke on my favourite topics ‘personal branding’ for effective communication, and networking. Let me share a few things with you.

 

 

 

 

Many of us now know the importance of networking but we often do not know how to go about it effectively. It is on our to-do list but when it comes to it, we don’t put ourselves out there or get out of our comfort zone. As I said before, networking is a skill that can be learned and developed.

Over the years I have found most successful people are not smarter or harder working, they have better communication skills. They know how to communicate effectively in all situations and are especially good Networkers.

 

While out at various networking events this month I observed various groups and individuals and noted how, even with the best intention of networking, they fell into the common traps that put you off someone before you even get to know them.

I will share a few of these observations with you.

 

one more thing …

These are people who just have one more point to share, even when you say you must get going, they will not let you leave. They are the people who cannot read the signs, they don’t know body language and that it is time to for them to ‘shut up’. They prey on people at the end of the night when they are tired and low on energy.

 

group huggers …

I am sure you’ve seen these types before. These are the people who came out with the intention of networking but ended up with a group of people they knew already. When anyone goes over to their group they closed in tighter together as if they were going to be invaded or having a group hug.

 

hi/bye ‘grasshoppers‘ …

Have you ever been deep in a conversation with someone, getting on rather well (or so you thought!) and then the person sees someone they think is ‘very important’ or ‘more important’ than your conversation and cuts the conversation off, and is gone as quickly as when they said “hi”.

 

flying card …

I do like to get the business card of someone I want to keep in contact with, but the flying business card type throws you a card before you can even say your name and what you do. If you notice these people are always ‘just running out’ and prove this by pulling out a pile of other peoples cards to show you how well they are doing.

 

 

 

Well, these are just a few. Just be aware that networking with the types of people above will not be effective. Next time I will share some more.

 

Until then, can you help? What are your observations, good and bad? Are you a successful networker? Have you any success stories to share? How do you deal with these types? Have you examples of types of Networkers to avoid?

 

Contact me at info@i-define.co.uk with your stories I am giving away a consultation to the best one.

 

 

All the best,

 

Dawn Winder

personal branding, communication & confidence