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FREE ARTICLES
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Stop Going to
Networking Events and Get More Business
A few days ago I returned from my annual
National Speaker's Association (NSA) conference in Atlanta. The
educational sessions were OK, the hotel was so-so, and the town
was lacking in exciting things to do, but my experience was
stellar. How is that possible?
Though I am often accused of being an extrovert,
I consider myself quite introverted, as I truly dislike social
events and networking gatherings where I am forced to meet new
people and mingle with individuals whom I don't know. You know
the feeling - that insecure child inside of you automatically
assumes that you won't like anyone new and that they probably
won't like you, either. It's simply safer to stick with people
with whom you already have a relationship.
Of course, the adult inside knows that to grow
as a person (and as a business), you must meet new people,
network effectively, and experience new challenges. So,
what do you do?
As an introverted defense mechanism, I learned
that becoming involved with committees, task forces, and boards,
I could meet a lot of people without the painfulness of cold
networking. Joining committees provides the unique opportunity
to hide behind the tasks of the group to meet others until you
feel more comfortable and less socially awkward. It allows
you to get to know someone well, while working together on a
joint effort. What a concept!
My NSA convention was a huge personal and
professional success because I am actively involved with one of
the charitable events surrounding the organization. My
involvement with this group gives me the avenue to meet people
whom I would have never even met under normal convention
circumstances.
Some of my closest friends, mentors, buddies,
and clients have come into my life as a result of being an
involved member of an organization. Though, of course, being
involved often means giving up a significant portion of time
working towards the greater good of the organization, but it
provides a unique opportunity to meet people who can make a
difference in your life.
So, if you are like me, and don't enjoy business
card exchanges, networking events, baby showers, or standard
social gatherings, then by-pass them all and join a committee or
get on a board. It will be your quickest and most effective path
to meeting people with whom you can connect personally and
professionally.
It will impact your business and your life all
while working on a worthwhile project. How fantastic is
that?
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