Keith Ferrazi is an expert on relationship developement, is a world renowned speaker and is the author of two #1 New York Times bestselling books – Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back. That being the case it is not surprising that he was asked to deliver the Key Note speech at the BNI National Conference in Pittsburgh USA last month. Here are some suggestions from Keith as to how to ensure that you never go to a bad networking event again!
When you are trapped at an event where people are milling around, acting formal and sterile and unwilling to open up to genuine relationship building, scrap any negative reaction (“I shoulda stayed home”) and instead anoint yourself as the event’s host, even if only in your own head.
Imagining that it is your role to help other guests break through gives you permission to act a little bit differently – you’re acting in service of the entire event to make sure everyone has a good time. Assume an aura of relaxed self-assurance while you make sure everyone has a drink and someone to talk to. Find out what they’re looking to do and who they’re looking to meet and make introductions. Start conversations.
Even if it is not in your basic DNA to be the life of the party, appointing yourself to the “job” of making sure that the event is a success can be the kick in the pants you need to inject some energy into a failing function. Whether or not you’re able to transform the event, you’ll certainly transform your own experience of it.
How have you transformed a bad networking event?
