By Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI
- Have your networking tools with you at all times-business cards, nametag, referral slips, pen, etc.
- Set a goal for the number of people you would like to meet. Make it a reasonable number like 3 or 4, not 20.
- Act like a host, not a guest. Greet people as they arrive. Select people that belong in your contact sphere with whom to spend more time.
- Listen and ask the 5 W’s – Who, What, When, Where and Why. You have 2 (two) ears and 1 (one) mouth, use them proportionally.
- Give a referral whenever possible. Listen for opportunities to solve people’s problems by connecting them with other chamber members.
- Describe your product or service in 60 seconds or less.
- Exchange business cards with people you meet. Ask ‘Can I contact you next week?’
- Spend 10 minutes or less with each person you meet and don’t linger with friends and associates. You didn’t come here to socialize with people you already know.
- Write comments on the back of the business cards you collect so you can remember the person later. Write their needs on the card, ex: building a house, moving, back trouble, looking to build a new business.
- Follow up with people you meet. Contact each of the 3 (three) or 4 (four) people that you connected with and invite them to your referral group meeting.
Read more articles from VOM Magazine here: https://www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine/
