Just before the event
• Set clear objectives & goals.
• Specific people you want to meet or talk with.
• Quantity of discussions you want to have.
• Number of post event meetings you want to schedule.
• Prepare your attitude.
o Completely positive (no "tradeshow cynicism").
o Inquisitive mindset.
At the event
Work toward your objectives & goals by...
• Proactively initiating discussions.
• Using your prepared and practiced introductions & initiating statements.
• Sending the right message physically
o Face the person completely
o Smile
o Energetic
• Asking open-ended questions
• Listen completely (without the intent to respond immediately or show your knowledge)
o Allow small gaps of silence (in many cases the other person will fill them with more information-sometimes extra information that's useful)
o Giving undivided attention to the person in front of you
o Avoid wandering and scanning eyes (your goal is one-on-one attention)
o Answer cell phone and pagers when you're no longer engaged in the conversation
• Delivering your value statements (when appropriate)
• Maintaining your networking attitude to the end of the event
• Complete positive follow-thru (it's show time, literally)
• Rest after the event
After the event
• Quickly evaluate your networking performance
• Review against your objectives & goals for the event
• Follow-up with appropriate individuals
o Written form as soon as possible (handwritten note, email or letter)
o Phone if appropriate
• Begin to seek out your next event
o Set a target (once a month, quarter, etc.)
o Join a networking/ lead referral club
o Attend one or two events a year that are out of your normal parameters
o Consider parallel industries and attending their events
Copying and distributing this article
Ormita provides free updates about the generic benefits of barter to those interested in local currency, community currency, countertrade, reciprocal trade, barter exchange, time dollars, hours and other forms of community trade vehicles.
You may freely copy and distribute this article provided that you attribute the author and/ or source as the Ormita Commerce Network.
About Ormita
The Ormita Commerce Network spans 5 continents, with direct representation in more than 17 countries plus additional partnerships in a further 59 countries. The business allows companies to exchange goods and services on a reciprocal trade arrangement.
Some of our Websites
Ormita Commerce Network Australia – www.ormita.com.au
Ormita Commerce Network Canada – www.ormita.ca
Ormita Commerce Network India – www.ormita.co.in
Ormita Commerce Network Mexico – www.ormita.com.mx
Ormita Commerce Network New Zealand – www.ormita.co.nz
Ormita Commerce Network United Kingdom – www.ormita.co.uk
Ormita Commerce Network United States of America (USA) – www.ormita.com
For Licensee, Franchise and Partnership Enquiries please visit : www.ormitacorporate.com
