Have You Tried Reverse Networking?

Networking events don't have to be painful. If you put yourself in the role of sleuth - on behalf of your strategic alliances - you'll enjoy yourself and still make quality connections!

Have you ever attended a networking event with the intention to find connections for someone else? Most likely not because that's not what we're taught to do. We tend to approach networking like a mission which sometimes ends up coming across as overly aggressive in our approach! If we're able to muster up any courage at all, we walk up to a likely looking stranger and start grilling him or her. What do you do, how long have you done it and gee I've got a great product (service) for you that will surely solve all your problems! Wrong on oh, so many fronts. More on networking etiquette and building relationships another time.

If that's what it feels like to you, just think of how much pressure it would take off your shoulders if you went to a mixer or other networking event on someone else's behalf! Think of all the good karma you'll generate when look for possible connections for others. And that's one of the key tenets we promote when working with business owners: uplift and support other entrepreneurs. Help them be successful. Because by doing so, your connections and relationships will also be strengthened and you too will win in the long run.

So for your next event, interview three potential candidates - say for your strategic partner or perhaps one of your clients, armed with the information you've gathered beforehand (what is their target market - gender? income? industry? etc.). Prescreen the referrals, get the contact information and if you're really good, go ahead and set up a date and time to make introductions (because we're always "going to keep in touch" and then life, work and time intervenes, and another opportunity lost!) Warmest introductions are personal introductions, so why not set up a 3-way breakfast or luncheon - or even over a cup of java if you're short on time - and bring everyone to the table at the same time?

Finally, once you've completed this task you're free to relax and be yourself. And who knows how that will turn out - your're much more approachable if you're not visibly stressed out - your next client might just walk up and find you! Reverse networking is easy and fun - you can make a game of it.

You just might like it!

Larisa Troche is a busy multipreneur living in Northern California. To find out more about Ms. Troche's business services, you can go to The Larisa Group for an overview. For more information about the Passport Living Lifestyle, Pink Passport Society has resources and information to help women become prosperous and financially independent. You can become an online member for free and have the information delivered to you directly!

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