Meet Them Where They Are – Networking

Meet Them Where They Are – This has many meanings and implications…

In fact, feel free to go to the comments area and write in your meaning for this statement based upon your wisdom and experience. For this article today  we are going to discuss networking. (More detailed meanings and implications on Meet Them Where They Are to come in the future.)

Networking in three specific areas of networking:

• Who do you want to meet?
• Why should they care about you?
• How do you show up?

The other day at a very unique and special networking meeting jointly run by me and another influential New York area person, someone mentioned they “really want to work with billionaires.”  Now this statement has me thinking – the type of meetings this person should attend to meet billionaires would be…..and a few other venues did come to mind. Later in discussion with the individual I asked my question: “If you want to meet with billionaires have you considered going and meeting them where they are?”

This seemed to shock the person, who in fact had never considered investigating this as an option. Now for most of us, this is rarified air, meeting with and working with billionaires. (Truth be told – I have and I do!)  However, the thought process is exactly the same for everyone! Who do you want to meet?

Go and meet them where they are – where do they network?

Where do they go out for a drink or a meal? There are always opportunities to meet with the people you want to meet with as long as you are strategic and intentional in how you approach it. The first thing is to clearly define “who do you want to meet?”

Ever wonder why the brief introductory speech utilized in networking groups is called the ‘elevator pitch’? Imagine meeting a person you have always wanted to work with on the elevator at a hotel or a corporate office. You want to introduce yourself and instead find yourself tongue tied. Instead you rely on your practiced ‘elevator pitch’.

These are a few sentences you have practiced which are delivered naturally that describe who you are, what you do and how this adds value and to – what type of people and organizations – in about as long as it would take an elevator to deliver you from a floor to the lobby. The elevator pitch should clearly explain to a person why should they care about you?

Understand this means – what you will do for them!

Not a pat yourself on the back dialogue. Again this type of introduction is important for every single person and is not specific to an industry or a business or a socio-economic group. When you meet someone – why should they care about you?

Now for the last question – How do you show up?

If you are going to a networking event or a one-on-one meeting, are you showing up in the right frame of mind and fully present?  Lost count – seriously – lost count of how many people are fully distracted and not able to focus and engage even when out networking or at a one-on-one meeting. You have to clear your mind and relax and be ready to engage. Remember to think about “How do I show up?” (Be sure to turn off the cell phone too!)

Want to learn more about networking? Sign up for a high value no cost call to get answers to your networking questions here!

Consider all three areas in your networking so you are “Meeting Them Where They Are” from now on.

Mitch Tublin runs a boutique consulting company based in Stamford, CT solving people problems, team issues, and offering Business Advisory Services all over the world.