Course Call: Social Graces in Networking 101

Thank you for your visit.

This page and site has been moved to TalkingStory.org

NEW LINK: Course Call: Social Graces in Networking 101

Comments

[Phil Gerbyshak]

The first thing I try to do at a conference is to hit the coffee line to get some fuel, and strike up a conversation with someone in the line about the quality of the coffee. This is an easy in for most, as coffee is something many are passionate about, and if it's a local blend of coffee, it can lead to some discussion about which local blend is best, why you like the certain local blend, and what your organization offers for coffee. While I'm definitely not shy, I know many others are, and the coffee talk is the easiest in I know.

The other in I find is that I try to help others find their nametag, especially if the organizers organized them alphabetically by last letter of your middle name or some other inane way that is impossible to figure out. This inevitably leads me to learn someone's name, organization, and even how to pronounce the name. I ask why they signed up for the organization, and if the answer is anything but "I had to!" then I try to talk more to them.

Those are a few tips I've found helpful. Gotta love those who follow your other "tips" above. Funny stuff!

[Dave]

By the way, I am a recovering networking event abuser but have been on the recovery road for the last nine years. I owe everthing to initial recovery on my early online community interaction.

Ahhh Phil, coffee! I would imagine this tactic works the best early, eh?

On another note, could you drop me an e-mail? Need to ask you a question and couldn't find your e-mail.

Thanks, Dave

david.rothacker@gmail.com