I had seen him in the media and from afar at my inaugural fact-finding mission on event sustainability.  A year later, he was a guest at the 4th Annual Social Entrepreneurship Symposium which my company, ETHOS, was managing last week.

I knew I wanted to pick his brain about industry trends, so I employed a little strategic networking. After a quick online research of his background, I found the perfect conversation starter: innovation and technology for SMEs, seasoned with boldness and a dash of an elevator pitch on the event management I was responsible for that day.  It worked! Richard Zulu was incredibly helpful and insightful in pointing me in the right direction.

The key to successful networking is confidence and the ability to communicate in a way that benefits both parties. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but these principles can help you build meaningful connections.

Key nuggets to breaking the ice:

• Research is Key: Understanding your target’s interests and background can make a significant difference in making your acquaintance appreciate your effort, and lending a listening ear.
• Confidence is Contagious: Approach conversations with enthusiasm and belief in your value. Don’t beat about the bush: For a stranger, it’s important to introduce yourself ASAP and state your objective, lest you raise eyebrows on your intentions. By the way Richard left a few minutes after our conversation- heading for another engagement. Imagine if I had extended my small talk!
• Focus on Mutual Benefit: Seek opportunities to collaborate and create win-win partnerships. You also have something valuable to give. Don’t downplay yourself.

As for the next time you see me, just get to it- I’m as easy as they come! I’ll even sign an autograph!

#Networking #BusinessDevelopment #Relationships #CareerGrowth #LinkedInLearning