business networking events – Tom Fuszard's Business Builder

Craft thoughtful messages after business networking events

December 16, 2015May 31, 2013 by Tom Fuszard

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know I value the power of networking. Because business relationships often begin at the personal level–the prospect has to like and trust you before he’ll buy from you–it is so important to establish those professional connections. Business networking opportunities provide one forum.

But after the networking event or other meeting, do you send a message? Is it thoughtful and insightful, or just another plug for your business? Leave a positive impression with a good message.

Start your message by reviewing the ideas or concepts you and the other person discussed. Include some of the finer points about the person that you observed. These can be personality or presentation (speaking) traits, as well as business skills you noticed. This way you recap the discussion and compliment the person at the same time.

Make sure business card contains all contact information

December 28, 2015December 5, 2012 by Tom Fuszard

Review the business card for completeness before putting in your pocket When you pick up or are handed a business card–say, at a business networking event–quickly review it to see that it contains all the contact information. Newer employees might not have their own cards yet, so they’ll use a generic one and write … Read more

Business networking events vital to your success

December 8, 2016January 24, 2012 by Tom Fuszard

Do you attend business networking events regularly? If not, why not? They are an effective and inexpensive way to market yourself and your business. You can mingle with other business people in a casual environment, enjoy some food, talk shop, and along the way pick up some new contacts. Some of those folks are right in your backyard, figuratively if not literally.

There are a couple principles to keep in mind about networking events. First, be patient. If it’s your first event for that business networking group, the attendees may not know you. You need time to build rapport and relationships. That will require more than one event, so plan on networking regularly. You will be remembered over time.

Second, like all business relationships, those that are conceived during a networking event should be done so with mutually beneficial intentions in mind. As you will note from the suggestions that follow, you’ll spend a significant amount of time getting to know the other attendees, their needs, and so on. It’s a twist on the old saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” As Zig Ziglar famously said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”