An ‘Open Networking’ event is an event where the networking is not usually facilitated. You are invited to network by introducing yourself to individuals in the room as opposed to attending an event where you have the opportunity to speak and everyone to hear you.
You walk into a room and there is a sea of people. Your objective was to network and you do not know where to start.This is not uncommon for business owners new to networking
So how do you prepare for an ‘Open Networking’ event? The success of the event is dependant upon the preparation before you arrive at the event!
Purpose
First of all you need to consider … why are you attending?
Many ladies in Athena report that in addition to the network being invaluable for them growing their business and improving revenue one of the reasons that they attend the meetings is for the camaraderie and business support. Like a club for women!
In addition to increasing our revenue networking, certainly at Athena, it is also about inspiration and motivation. How many times have you been so busy in the office and found that have not enjoyed what you are doing (indeed you are so busy thinking about how you are not enjoying it you are doing nothing)? How many times, after taking a break, especially a day spent on yourself, do you get back to work with gusto.We call that ‘working on your business’ an opportunity to reflect and grow.
Are you taking time out of your business to grow? How much down time have you had, how much me time have you appreciated in the last 90 days? If you hadn’t had any then you really do need to get out of the office and enjoy the company of women who are in a similar situation as yourself.
Preparation
At an open networking event there may be people in the same profession as you so how do you introduce yourself to them.
I remember going to one of my first networking events were at least 90% of the people in the room were coaches. Around 90% of that 90% said “oh your a coach swell” and turned their back on me. What a lost opportunity for joint ventures, referrals from me (I worked in a niche market and had no intention of moving away from that), what a lost opportunity of learning something from me, perhaps a trainer I had worked with, software that made my life easier, contacts who could pass them clients.
Now the other coaches in the room were a joy! They wanted to understand more about what I did, how could they help me and of course, in return, I wanted to do the same for them. So prepare to meet others in the same profession.
When you make an investment in an event (your time and your money) I would want you to be sure that you get the most out of it now. Think about what it is you would like to get out of the event, for example;
Are you looking for new clients? If you are what kind of clients, be specific!
Would you benefit from sourcing new Strategic Alliance Partnerships? What professions or individuals would add value to your clients and business
Do you require new members of your team? Is now the time to start to delegate more, to outsource? If so what tasks need outsourcing, who could do them?
Do you require support developing your businesss, mentoring, financial advice?
Refer to your business plan, what were your projections for this year and what is it that you need to do to achieve them? All of this information will enable you to clarify your objectives for the event.I would encourage you to spend time preparing your “sound bite”;
For a prospective client
For a ‘competitor’ – what is it that you do that sets you aside from other ladies in your profession. You will have the excellent opportunity to meet peers in your profession at events and they are an ideal opportunity to determine where you might be able to collaborate. We look forward to seeing you at the conference and supporting you, in whichever way would develop your business the most.
Source:http://athenainternationalconference.com/?p=588
