Business Networking Success Tip: Get Thee To the Point!
Make sure to get your FREE REPORT - 7 Steps to Be a Business Networking SUPERSTAR! You will also receive a quick Weekly Business Networking Tip. Feel Free to Tweet Posts You Like and Share Them on Facebook!
I frequent many offline business networking events, and also host my own weekly meeting. There is always a point in the agenda, when the attendees are asked to give some sort of elevator pitch. Or, in the case of a speed networking event, each person has 3 minutes to tell the partner sitting across from them about their business. No matter what the format, at some point, at least 2 people will exchange information about their products or services. What I find is. . . a large majority of business owners never get around to talking about what they are REALLY looking for, to move their business forward.
What happens is, they ramble on and on about facts, figures, benefits, their background, tell stories, etc. Sometimes the other person has to jump in to get a word in edgewise. Ever play jump rope? Then, the other person goes through the exact same routine. Both walk away empty handed. It’s important to know, specifically, what you are looking for, to move your business to the next level. Think about it. What 2-3 things do you need IMMEDIATELY, for your business to grow?
For some business owners, their immediate need is more customers. They must be clear on what specific type of customer they are looking for. For example, a skin care salesperson, could easily say, "I am looking for people who have skin." Everyone has skin, but who would actually use the product? Chances are, a bum on skid row wouldn’t have much of use for it. A 45 year old professional woman with wrinkles might though. Business owners with start up companies, often get excited, and want to put up a website, but don’t have a retail strategy in place. Rather than put the cart before the horse, they would best be advised to seek a marketing strategist, a lawyer or other expert. Ask and you shall receive.
Think CLEAR, CONCISE, POSITIVE and QUICK. In as little as 15 seconds get your point across.
I’m _________ with ___________
We help ______________(what problem do you solve)
What I’m looking for next is _________________________
Who do you know?
Be respectful of other people’s time.
At the end of my weekly event, we do a business coaching circle. Each person in the circle gets a chance to tell the others who they are, what they do, and what they are looking for next. It could be getting late, there are still several people left, and one person starts talking and talking and talking and talking and talking. We break in and ask, "What are you looking for next?"
The problem is, often, they don’t know. So, they’ll begin talking and talking and talking some more. NEXT!!!!
Life is short. Quit rambling and being vague. I’ve seen it online as well, in videos. You click, Blah, blah, blah, repeat, blah, blah, blah, repeat ZZZZZZZ! Sometimes I think people just enjoy hearing themselves talk. Remember CLEAR, CONCISE, POSITVE and QUICK. It works.
If this post resonates with you, feel free to tweet, share and comment. Also, I’ve just installed Google Friend Connect and it’s looking very blank. Your face would be appreciated. It’s on the right sidebar.
Rebecca Olkowski is a Club President for CEO Space, a private entrepreneurial organization. For more information about CEO Space, please visit http://ceospacelavalley.com
To change this standard text, you have to enter some information about your self in the Dashboard -> Users -> Your Profile box.
Karen Smith
Steven Suchar
VaNessa Duplessie
Amy
Andie Petoskey
Angela Giles
Chris Bernardo
Cindy Schulson
Colette Kenney
Emily
Faith Barnard
Jacleen Allen
Kimberly Castleberry
Oliver Tausend
Ross Joyner
small business gr...
Vicki Berry
Leave a Comment