Have a Strategy

At an evening event yesterday for students and professionals at a local university, I was asked to interact with students. The object for several of us professionals was to indirectly coach the soon-to-graduate students.

The one thing that kept coming up was: have a strategy.

A short list of things to include in your networking event strategy toolbox:

• Know when to arrive--early, on time, a little late.
• Know who you want to meet.
• Know how long you will talk with people--not too little or too long.
• Listen actively.
• Share information, don't dominate or give in, either.
• Know how to engage and disengage.
• Follow up.

Basic stuff but it is what a successful networking event is all about.

Relentless