 Ask
The Technology Therapist...
Take Your Networking to
the Next Level
If you find this tip helpful:
In business, people are impressed if you can
remember their name, and astonished if you recall how you
met them in the first place. The person that dazzles us
with this talent does so because either they have a great
memory or great database. Which do you think it
is?
I’d like to say I can recall everyone
I have ever met at a networking event, but how can anyone
recall someone they may have met 5 months ago? Networking
for me has been about 4 keys to success listening,
asking, giving and recording.
As The Technology Therapist I find that recording is the
one piece many networkers neglect.
Recording means a few different things to
me. It means keeping a database of everyone I have ever
met at an event. But just adding in their general information
is not going to help you when you need them or they need
you. Take your data recording to the next level.
Make a place in your database to keep track of the following
items:
1. The event you met them at
2. The date you met them
3. The Industry they fall into
4. Possible synergies / relationship to clients / resource
for clients
5. General notes from your conversation
If you’re imputing business cards a
day or two after the event, this information should be easy
to recall. Many networkers also write on the cards at the
event to help jar their memory when they do finally add
it to their database. I recommend you create fields that
fit your needs, or start by using the few I’ve mentioned
above. And if you’re really looking to step-up your
networking skills with this key I recommend carrying
a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with all the
data you recorded. I give people information or leads in
person, rather than sending it when you get back to the
office. My notes tell me which people in my database are
open to introductions and which are not.
In 2006 try to take your networking to the
next level and astonish people with your memory. It will
be our secret that it’s really just your database.
This is Jennifer Shaheen, The Technology
Therapist, with your technology tip of the week.
If you find this tip helpful:
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