Networkers

Networking is probably the single most effective way of generating new business, meeting people that can connect you with hiring managers and buyers looking for your skills and services. On average I go to one or two networking meetings a week and have noticed that there seem to be similar types of people at all of them. See if you can spot them:

The Blower

The blower doesn’t want to know anything about you, but will tell you their opinions and theories about everything. Especially how they are right and the collective wisdom of the universe isn’t. They crave an audience, but spectacularly fail to connect subjecting their prey to an endless tirade of, usually slightly too loud, opinion. Almost impossible to offend, they will merely latch onto the next luckless victim and go straight back into broadcast mode.

Least likely to be heard saying: “What do you do?”

Most likely to be heard saying: “of course if only Gordon had listened to me…”

Best dealt with by saying: “Excuse me for a moment I just need to powder my beagle” and move to the other side of the room.

Independently Wealthy

Why is this person networking? The second thing they tell you after their name is that as they are independently wealthy they don’t actually need to work or to be networking, but they have condescended to grace us with their presence and share their knowledge and experience of shopping and holidays. They have no contacts worth mentioning and won’t remember you after the event. They primarily seek admiration for having paid off the mortgage and are best avoided.

Least likely to be heard saying: “We must set a time to meet for a Starbucks”

Most likely to be heard saying: “of course you meet the most delightful people at Claridges”

Best dealt with by saying: “Let me introduce you to…” and pass them to someone else

Desperate Dan

This one needs that next job and needs it right now. They will deliver their elevator pitch in aggressive pointed tones, interrogate you on what you do and demand details on any company you mention where they might  be able to get a foot in the door. If you fail to satisfy they will move on in a huff, to show that you have wasted their time, probably without any niceties. If you do have a company that they want, it will be diaries at dawn, hard sell, when can he meet your contact.

Least likely to be heard saying: “Networking can be such a long game, someone I met a year ago contacted me last week and…”

Most likely to be heard saying: “I want to meet your contact at Hippy-Corp. When can you set up a meeting!”

Best dealt with by saying: “I think that (name someone) would be a better contact for you, there they are in the blue suit over there”…then run away. Thanks to Gordon and Fred the Shred the numbers of these at Networking events is on the rise.

Nice Chat

This person probably works at home, by themselves, with lots of cats. They come to networking for company and conversation. They won’t have any real contacts but they do enjoy a nice chat. They can hold an interesting conversation but they will trap you there for ages and won’t want to mingle or circulate in case they lose their new friend. It’s a pleasant way to pass an hour but it isn’t networking and it simply wastes the opportunity.

Least likely to be heard saying: “My company has a great team dynamic and a real buzz”

Most likely to be heard saying: “It’s so nice to talk to a real person.”

Best dealt with by saying: “It’s been very nice to talk to you, we really should circulate.”

Sales

This one has a product. It’s the best in class, they’ve made precisely zero sales, apart from one or two beta sites. They will give you a commission if you sign up to sell it for them, of course all the features clients need will be in version 2, which they’ll start on as soon as they’ve sold some…

Least likely to be heard saying: “We are totally overwhelmed with opportunities, could you help us out”

Most likely to be heard saying: “We have a network of associate salespeople”

Best dealt with by saying: “My technical experience of that field is a bit out of date”

Networker

This is you and I. We treat networking as a long game. We have focussed conversations, which let us see if we have anything in common, we decide if we like each-other. We exchange business cards and nicely move on to the next person to maximize the opportunity. We will write and follow up within a couple of days to either set up a time to meet properly or simply to say, “great to meet you, see you at the next session”. You never know, they may meet your ideal customer and connect you with them.