1. Avoid sit-down meal or speaker type events unless networking opportunities exist before and after. Increasingly, networking organisations are offering buffet-style events to help you to "browse the crowd".

2. Prepare pre-event:

* Carry plenty of your (distinctive and professional) calling cards.
* Create a lapel name-badge - easily read from at least a metre away
* Scrutinise listed attendees (if available) - to target those who interest you.
* Someone may want to meet you - another need for your badge.

3. When you enter the room, pause to strategise your approach. Don't sneak in, blend into the woodwork and waste your time - assess room layout immediately you enter e.g. where food/drink is/will be (important since (a) people congregate there (b) you may be hungry / thirsty!).

4. Initial reconnaissance completed, achieve neutral ground e.g. the Bar! Whilst waiting/ordering you can now discreetly target people who are standing-up. A comfortable armchair can become a trap if you desperately want to change your company. You may even start talking immediately to someone at the Bar.

5. Scan the crowd - watch for negative body language. Such a person may have had enough of their group, will grasp at anyone passing nearby and be delighted you rescued them! If an individual does not immediately emerge then . . .

6. Identify a target group who are standing-up (for reasons as above) but initially avoid pairs or groups of pairs, especially if engaged in animated conversation. They may resist your perceived intrusion and damage your self-confidence.

7. People alone or groups of three are ideal, since offering you the chance to pair-up with anyone peering around, who may be bored or lonely. Again, observe their body language.

8. Go for it, saying "Excuse me, may I join you?" Rejection at this stage is unlikely since they are also there to network and may even be bored to tears with the person who has had them trapped there for hours!!

9. Swap calling cards shortly after joining the person or group to save you forgetting to ask them later. Keep it in your hand, to refer to as a reminder of their name - for use as often as feels comfortable during your discussion.

10. On returning to your office, log collected calling card details on your Customer Relationship Management database. Include where/when you met them and special conversation features e.g. their partner is Richard Branson.

With practice, you can network easily and successfully and remember . . . Strangers are just friends you haven't met before.

Chris Liles - Relationships Doctor Ltd.
01603 860646
E: chris@relationships-doctor.co.uk
W: www.relationships-doctor.co.uk © 2008