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Networking Information |
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The Answer to Your Worst Networking Nightmare
Imagine you just met your ideal client at a networking event. He's friendly, has great ideas and could use a valuable person like you to help grow his business. Not to mention, he's the kind of person from whom you could learn a great deal as well. After all, networking is the creation and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships. After chatting away, building rapport and connecting for a few minutes - the crucial time comes: the exchange of business cards. At his request, you give him your card. Then you ask for his card in return. And at that moment, your worst networking nightmare comes true. He utters the one sentence you never want to hear from a new and potentially valuable contact: "I don't have one of my business cards with me right now." Ouch. What do you do in this situation? Some people become frustrated with the person who commits this cardinal sin of networking. Not a good idea. Although business cards are the number-one networking necessity, don't make a big fuss if someone doesn't have one. Unfortunately, it happens. People may be changing jobs, reprinting or assumed they didn't need their cards at the time. But calling them out will only reinforce emotions of their un-professionalism. A common solution to this problem is suggested in most networking books: simply write your new contact's information on one of your own cards. Not a bad idea. But space is limited. And how many times have you written information down in your haste only to become completely baffled by your own hieroglyphics when you read your notes a week later? Perhaps this isn't your best option. Another way to capture contact information is to use scrap paper. People do this all the time, and it's not an effective networking technique. Not only does it make you look inefficient and disorganized, but Donna Fisher, author of Networking for Dummies, explains that pieces of paper are more likely to get tossed or lost than business cards. So much for that idea. Finally, the one attempt at solving this networking nightmare - which usually fails - is when the person says, "Well?just give me your card and I'll call you." Yeah right. You can't depend on someone to call you. Not because they don't like you or because they're not interested in developing a mutually valuable relationship - but because people lose, forget and misplace things. They also meet lots of people every day - and it's challenging to differentiate yourself among the masses. Therefore, the question still remains: How do you effectively and professionally capture the information of a valuable contact that doesn't have any business cards? Thus far in the field of networking, there is yet to be a solution. Until now. This is the answer to your worst networking nightmare, and it's called My Card?. Here's how it works: When someone reluctantly tells you they don't have any business cards with them, reach into your pocket and offer them My Card?. "You don't have one of your business cards with you?" you empathize, "Well, don't worry about it - it happens all the time! Here you go?" On the front of the card you hand to them, it reads in sharp blue writing: My Card? - because to your new contact that doesn't have a business card, that's exactly what it is. It's their card! "I want to help in any way I can - and also get to know you better," you explain. "Here! Fill out the card with the best way to reach you. Then I'll hang on to this one so we can be sure to stay in touch. And here are a few extras for you to keep with you until you get your new cards. I don't want you missing any networking opportunities!" No scrap paper. No scribbles. No assumptions or hopes for future contact. Just a fun, simple, memorable, face saving tool that creates a connection between two people who want to build a relationship. What's more, when you graciously hand this card to someone you've just met, you will: Basic to all victory as a successful business communicator is approachability, or "capability of being reached." So, if someone doesn't have their business card, they're not capable of being reached. They're not approachable. They can't be helped, and they can't help others. But if you pull My Card? out of your pocket; tell your new friend to fill it out - and give them a few extra cards for future use - you will break down those barriers. You will save the day, save the information and save the face of the person you've just met. Not to mention, make their subsequent networking a lot easier. You will become a Networking Superhero! And you will turn friends into mutually valuable relationships. All because you took the initiative to empathize with someone who wanted to connect with you, but couldn't because they needed a front porch through which to express their inherent human desire to do so. Remember: Interest in someone's business card = interest in them. And interest in other people is the most important rule of interpersonal communication. My Card? is the answer to your worst networking nightmare - and someone else's. And for $10.00, you can own a 50 pack today, and you'll never miss another important networking opportunity again. Click here to buy a pack today! © 2005 All Rights Reserved. Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
MORE RESOURCES: July 29 – Holly Area Chamber Networking Breakfast Oakland County Times Networking on Slack Is a New Way to Find a Job, but It Takes Work The Wall Street Journal Networking key to successful job search Continuing Studies Top Enterprise Networking Companies 2022 EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet The Worldwide Time-Sensitive Networking Industry is Expected to Reach $1.8 Billion by 2027 - ResearchAndMarkets.com Business Wire What is an Enterprise Network? EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet 7 Enterprise Networking Challenges EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet What is Software Defined Networking? EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet Outlook on the Time-Sensitive Networking Global Market to 2027 - 5G Time-Sensitive Networking Presents Opportunities Yahoo Finance Waskom Chamber of Commerce hosts networking event Marshall News Messenger First Responders Need Data. Can LTE Networks Come to the Rescue? US Department of Commerce Can SONiC be the Linux of Networking? The Register 5 Tactics for Attending Networking Events Advertising Specialty Institute Reconnecting at in-person networking conferences TheFabricator.com Take a Measured Approach to Software-Defined Networking FedTech Magazine Beyond basketball: Summer League is NBA’s networking summit Las Vegas Review-Journal LGBTQ+ networking group keeps Pride alive year round Delaware First Media Top 5 Simple Networking Tips for Students StudyinCanada.com! Farm Data Relay System: Combine LoRa And 2.4 Ghz Networks Without WiFi Routers And Cloud Dependence Hackaday Microsoft finds Raspberry Robin worm in hundreds of Windows networks BleepingComputer Key skills to overcome fear of networking The New Times Extreme Networks Makes Networking More Flexible, Intelligent and Secure with Suite of New Solutions Business Wire Networking club explores new ways to engage others The Star Online IoT Use Cases in 2022 EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet Anonymous Social Networking Software Market is Going to Boom | Tencent, MOMO, Tantanapp Digital Journal Networking scheme helps minority ethnic nurses to thrive Nursing Times Henderson Chamber of Commerce to Host Networking Breakfast: On a Roll – Local Gaming Update With M Resort Spa Casino Leadership Nevada Business Magazine Significant Trends in Communication and Networking ICs market with Top Key Vendors, Types, End-users and region – Designer Women Designer Women Future Prospects of Wireless Networking Market by 2029 | D-Link, Netgear, Netcore – Designer Women Designer Women "It's not who you know, it's who knows you." Panel of CEOs emphasizes importance of networking madison365.com Palo Alto Networks stays MS's top security stock as survey highlights 'durable' demand Seeking Alpha Home Networking Device Market is Booming Worldwide with Mechoshade Systems, Schneider Electric, Watt Stopper – Designer Women Designer Women Upload speeds lag in Phoenix during mobile networks tests Arizona's Family Northrop Grumman to build Space Force prototype for cyber protection of satellite networks Breaking Defense Hive Crypto Social Networking Platform Price Rallies 16%, Volume up 14,000% Business 2 Community EXCLUSIVE NETWORKS: Disclosure of the Total Number of Voting Rights and Shares Forming the Share Capital as at 30 June 2022 Business Wire New Strategic report on Social Networking Tools Market Growth, analysis and Forecast to 2026 – Designer Women Designer Women Ribbon Cutting for Space Development Agency's First Ground Operations and Integration Center in Grand Forks Kevin Cramer Advent One acquires Layer 8 Networks, complements hybrid cloud offering ChannelLife New Zealand Lessons learned from the best run supply chain networks FOOD Magazine - Australia Mexican networks ramp up help for US women seeking abortions The Associated Press - en Español Social Networking Advertising Market Production & Demand by 2031 – Designer Women - Designer Women S'pore, US launch networking programme for women in tech The Straits Times Café Ukraine provides social space, refreshments, networking for newcomers to Ottawa Ottawa Citizen T-Mobile shuts down its 3G networks Land Line Media Regional Sports Networks Plot Streaming Future Without Pay TV Bundle Hollywood Reporter Kagan: Public 5G vs. private 5G vs. hybrid 5G networks RCR Wireless News These Essential Networking Finds Boost Digital Equity, School Capacity and Speed EdTech Magazine: Focus on K-12 7 types of networks and their use cases TechTarget Why Networking Matters More Than Ever Chicago Booth Review 6 types of enterprise networking topologies TechTarget Networking online: how to make professional connections remotely and why it matters The Conversation 3 Industrial Networking Trends Automation World Essential networking tips to help you win new opportunities in 2022 The CEO Magazine 5 Top Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Trends Enterprise Storage Forum What's the status of AI in networking? TechTarget Top Computer Networking Jobs & Salaries 2022 | ENP EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet One hour of networking for career success Fast Company |
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