Don't fall into these traps next time you're at a Chamber breakfast meeting, or other networking event...By: Leesa Barnes, author of "Schmooze Your Way To Success: 9 Fearless Networking Tips for the Shy, Timid, Introverted, & Just Plain Clueless"
1. PRIDE - Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness. Whoever has pride has an excessive love of themselves. At a networking event this person will talk endlessly about her products, her services and how happy her clients are with her. To resist pride talk about yourself, but only after finding out what the other person does for a living.
2. GREED – An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs.At a networking event a greedy person knows your business needs but is afraid to connect you with someone in her network because she is afraid you will steal an opportunity from her. Avoid falling prey to greed by knowing that networking is about giving and the more connections you give the more you will reap the benefits in increased sales, endless referrals, and unlimited job opportunities.
3. ENVY- A Feeling of admiration and desire to attain something possessed by another.At a networking event this person resents your acheivements, traits, status, abilities or situation due to jealousy of your success. To avoid the pitfalls of envy, acknowledge your personal successes and communicate them to those with whom you network.
4. WRATH- Intense anger; unrighteous feelings of hatred or revenge.At a networking event this person is upset that the event did not produce any clients or immediate sales or that someone of whom they hold a low opinion of has decided to attend as well. Bringing wrath into a business environment only has the potential for harm. The business community is smaller than most think and bad mouthing others will eventually come back to haunt you. Take up your dissatisfactions personally outside of the confides of the event.
5. LUST- To have an intense or obsessive desire.Plain and simple, business networking is about gaining new professional connections not dates or flirting. Keep topics of discussion on safe topics such as books you are reading, industry relate news, or the ever-popular weather.
6. GLUTTONY- The desire to consume more than what one requires; over indulgence.Drinks at a networking event are designed to losen people up and reduce inhibitors to conversation. First impressions are very important, but more important is making a lasting impression. To avoid gluttony of food or alcohol, never attend a networking event hungry (eat before you arrive) and limit your alcohol consumption to 2 drinks.
7. SLOTH- The avoidance of physical work. Idleness, wastefulness, laziness.Half of networking is meeting new people. The other half is buiding the business relationship after you meet. If you offer to follow up with some one, do so. And do so within 24 hours of the event. That way they will remember who you are. And following up as promised can be the difference between a thriving business and just scraping by.
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