Small Business Today Magazine MAR 2015 IMPACT STONE DESIGN | Page 37

EDITORIALFEATURE

Networking Blunders

That Cost You Money
By Gail Stolzenburg

W

hy are some peoople more successful using business networking
than others? Maybe it is because
they have eliminated blunders
and eveloped common sense practices.  There are many networking blunders
and we can only cover a few, so stories
about the types of people we’ve met at
networking events might serve as good
examples.

Whenever you meet this type of person
at a networking event, they always seem
to make the conversation about themself
and they only reach out when they need
something.  If they would just spend more
time listening, maybe you would help them
without them even asking.  They also are
the type that when you do help them, they
don’t act appreciative or even say thank
you.  They need to develop an attitude of
gratitude.  Another practice that would
benefit them is developing an attitude of
giving back, also known as the law of reciprocity philosophy.  The more one gives to
others, the more they are likely to receive
in return. 
Have you ever met someone at an
event who then asks to get together and
talk more over a cup of coffee?  When
you do get together, the first thing they
ask you is what you do.  With all of the
tools available, such as Google, couldn’t
they have found this information ahead
of time and then asked more pertinent
questions?  Before attending an event, do
you take the time to find out who is going to be a guest there and determine in
advance who you’d like to meet? Always
have an agenda.
Do you have a friend who attends every
networking event, especially ones where

there is complimentary food.  However,
these events always have the same group
of people who are looking for work or
referrals yet she complains about never getting any work or referrals from
them.  One of the keys to networking
effectively is to attend events which are
attended by your target market, the people wi