Use your ears!

22/4/09

Want more business from your fellow members? Then use your ears: listen and remember.

It doesn’t matter if it’s during open networking, during the meeting, at a social, or even if ‘by accident’ you hear other members talking. Use your ears!

How many times have you heard a member mention in the course of a conversation a company’s name? The name comes and goes and more often than not you think nothing of it. You might nod, or even say ‘Wow!, what a great company to work for’, but five minutes later the company name is forgotten.

But, what if you remembered that company? What, if that company would be a great contact for you? You can’t interrupt, especially if you are listening to someone else’s conversation, and say ‘Hey, that would be a great contact for me!’ but what you can do is remember the name and in the future, during a One2One, ask about the company. Ask how the member got the business in the first place and how good their relationship with them was. And, if it seems right, would the member be prepared to give you a personal introduction?

Your fellow members often don’t realise which of their contacts you might be interested in, but if asked are only too willing to help you gain business.

So, use your ears and get more business. Oh, a little tip – always carry a small notebook. You never know when you might need it!