When it comes to networking, some of us are born with the talent for it, some of us learn what we need along the way. As everything else in life it is a trial and error process. But, there are some people who should always be our benchmark when it comes to acquiring this crucial skill! We should be listening, observing, following up, asking questions an genuinly caring about the person.
FRANK GRUBER
Before we go you should absolutely take time to stop over here and listen to Frank Gruber’s Spark.Me 2016 talk.
Who is Frank Gruber? For those of you who don’t know, he is a Cofounder of Tech.Co. He is an entrepreneur and new media journalist focused on sharing his tech product expertise and analysis on emerging technologies. He is the author of the book, Startup Mixology, Tech Cocktail’s Guide to Building, Growing, and Celebrating Startup Success. He is also a startup advisor and investor to startups.
Frank talked about lessons from startup mixology and how to better interact with people around you, how important is to be self aware, to know your strenghts and weaknesses and ask the right questions. He shared his networking tips and I bring you some which you can start using today!
LISTEN
Don’t look around trying to see who’s there, focus on the person you are talking to. Listen to what they are saying. Not only listen, but hear them out.
FOLLOW UP
Whether you need a software or a pen and paper it is vital to always follow up, to see how people are doing, to care genuinly and not to call only when you need something. If you need a software solution, check out Contactually!
CARE
Do you really care or you are just asking in order to say something or look smart? Because, difference is much more obvious than you know it.
ASK QUESTIONS (HOW CAN I HELP, WHAT R U STRUGGLING WITH AT THE MOMENT…ETC.)
Everyone you meet is struggling with something, no matter how much money they are making and how big their business it. And no matter how small, poor or unsucessful you may be, there is always at least one thing in which you can have a say and really help someone out. It can be fixing a car, opening the door, preparing coffee, or anything literally that you do better compared to them. Don’t focus on you weaknesses, focus on your strenghts!
SEAN STEPHENSON
Talking about networking simply wouldn’t be fair without mentioning Sean Stephenson and this life changing talk: How to Create Powerful Connections with Anyone. Sean is a therapist, writer, motivation speaker and his mission is to rid the world of insecurities.
The important highlights from his talk are mentioned bellow, but I urge you to watch the whole talk because the lessons will be easier for you to remember in that way.
Time to you is not time to everyone else. What might be just a passing smile to you can save anoher person’s life.
Connection is NOT exchange of information it is an exchange of humanity, it is an exchange of emotion.
PRESIDENT CLINTON LESSONS
- Get good at asking peoples name and using it!
- Eye locking: Do not look around if there is someone more interesting in the room.
- Wait until the person is done and you are done. Create a bubble around the two of you.
- Ask other people’s opinion about things (Human’s aren’t short of opinions, they want to be heared)
- Touch (make a physical contact with somone, create the electrical exchange)
*Fun Fact: Waitors who tap the shoulders when they first come to the table increased their tips!
DALAI LAMA LESSONS
“Man has a smile that can melt an angru soldier’s heart.” – Sean Stephenson on meeting, observing and listening to Dalai Lama.
Lesson no 1: Smile with your eyes, you lips and your whole body 
Lesson no2: Cultivate a sense of playfullness!
Lesson no3: Listening
When you are listening you need to pause your thoughts!
Listening is not about being quiet while forumating your response!
Listening happens when you put your life on pause and stop formulating your response
RICHARD BRANSON LESSONS
Lesson no1
Manage your voice, make it smooth and calming, especially when you want to make a connection.
No2 Ask questions!
You don’t even know where the aswer will lead you.
The person will get to share and you can get to learn.
No3 Be humble.
Confidence isn’t arogance. Humility isn’t shyness.
CONNECTION is like a game of ping pong!
ASK YOURSELF Has the ball been on the other side of the table for at least 50% of the time?
BRENE BROWN
Connection is about sharing your trials and tribulations. It is about being real to people. It is not always about putting out the best things about you.
I really love Brene, I have all of her books, have watched almost all of her videos and she is one of the people that impacted my way of thinking most.
Thank you Brene for everything that you are doing.
If you haven’t been on Spark this year, we hope to see you there next one!
Let’s keep fingers crossed to see Gary Vee, Brene Brown, Sean Stephenson and Richard Branson in Montengro
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