We’ve all been invited to the local business breakfast or lunch club, many don’t go, because it’s a scary place to be. I hope these tips help you as they took me a long time to figure out.
You will see a lot of sharp expensive suites, and immaculately groomed people, don’t let that put you off. They still haven’t seen this post yet!
What do a sharp suit and a perfect image say about you, simply it means the person wearing them hasn’t understood the objectives yet. These social events are not about the image, they are about getting to know people, making contacts and a sharp suit will often put people off. I’ve been to many events such as these and I rarely wear a suit, unless I’ve been invited as a guest speaker. I usually turn up in a pair of trousers, a pair of shoes (preferably worn but polished), The loudest pair of socks I can find in my draw on that day, and either a short-sleeved shirt or a polo shirt. Why you may ask, that is giving the wrong message! well, it’s actually not. It’s saying you are comfortable enough to wear what your comfy in and people can either cope with it or not. The socks here is a great trick, the number of people I’ve seen at these events in black socks, shocks me, black socks to me say “No Imagination” white socks say “I am going to the Gym after” loud vibrant socks say “I think outside the box, I am not afraid to be me, and I am confident”
Safety: We are living in a world where COVID-19 has changed life possibly for good, so many a time the good old handshake is out the window, Germs spread easily, and unless you’re going to carry PPE and hand sanitizer with you it’s not worth the risk. In the UK we started doing Elbow bumps instead. However, I would recommend a nod instead, and remember the 1-meter golden rule! The last thing you want is the first networking exercise to be your last! I know many people are anti-COVID-19 Vaccination, I am not one of those people. If you attend events like this just do it, it will save lives!
Look around the room, this is your next real asset if you can read the room, you know who to avoid and who to talk to, there is always going to be that one person that tries to collar you and talk about themselves for the duration of the event. These people are counterproductive, try to avoid them. The next trick is to work the room, but if you follow my advice you will get more quality contacts. First, don’t start with the suits start with the people that like yourself are comfortable. let the suits chase you because they will be wondering who you are and how come you’re not wanting to talk to them!
Another Gem, when someone asks you what you do, I try always to not mention what I do for a living straight off, So whilst I could say “I am an investor”, or “a Programmer” half of the time, you are not making an impression. In order to make an impression, you need to think outside the box a little. I usually come up with something along the lines of “I love to study and cook, but when I am not doing that I am an *Insert job here*” this way you’re telling them something they are not used to hearing and that gets tucked away as something unusual rather than “Joe the Saleman”
Also, something else to be aware of! The business card is Dead! long live the RFIDS business card! like Blinq (please note I am in no way involved in Blinq, I just use the application.
Marcus, has been involved in Internet applications since the dawn of time, he has a massive interest in Scifi and fantasy novels, cooking, Amateur Radio and the Weather as well as many other subjects. Marcus has a Doctorate in Musicology, and is a lifetime scholar. If Marcus doesn't know the answer he will definitely find it!
