Networking - The Art of Moving On

Hello again!  We left you last month in the midst of a busy networking event, promising we wouldn’t let you get stuck with one person.  Moving on can be a tricky manoeuvre. Your conversation has reached a natural end and you can’t think how to move away politely! 

1.  Say something like ‘It’s been great to meet you and I hope we’ll bump into each other again, but I mustn’t monopolise you!’  Ask them who they think you should speak to next and to introduce you.

2.  If you are afraid of getting stuck with someone and not being able to get away, grab the nearest plate of snacks and walk around offering them to people.  If you want to spend time with someone, you can ditch the plate or share it with your new friend!

3.  It can be difficult to focus your attention on your current companion when so much is going on around you, especially when you know you must move on soon.  Try, however, not to gaze over their shoulder around the room as this could make them feel belittled.

4.  If you do know people at the event, be very disciplined and try not to succumb to the temptation to talk to them all the time – you are there to meet new contacts!

5.  Don’t forget to give 2 business cards to each of the people you meet – one for them and one they might like to pass on to someone else.

Next time we will mention some ways in which you can follow up after a networking event and make yourself even more memorable to your new contacts.  In the meantime we hope you are going off to lots of events, having a great time and meeting all kinds of people!


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