One of the three biggest fears in the corporate and professional world is the fear of meeting and attempting to successfully network with strangers. More to the point, most people have an innate fear of finding themselves in a room full of TOTAL STRANGERS. Yet, if you know how to begin a conversation, and if you know what actions to take (and in what order), you can make that person WANT to know more about you.
If, on the other hand (no pun intended) you begin by extending your hand, blurting out your name, who you work for, and what you do - then ask for the same information from the other person while handing them your business card ... you have committed the #1 most heinous networking and executive-level blunder; you have perpetrated "The Force" (forcing someone to take your card in exchange for theirs).
The MATTRIXX Conversation Bridge™
To be successful, you need to know how to open (and close) a networking conversation. You want the other person to WANT to know more about you, and you want them to feel comfortable with you because you have established a series of "connections" with them. Building those connections is much like building a bridge.
First you need to develop a common line of reference and a solid foundation. Then you need to establish a series of connections, each one building on the last. Using the MATTRIXX Conversation Bridge™ technique, you can begin a conversation, learn key aspects and interests of the other person, establish a series of connections, and quickly decide if you want to pursue this relationship for business or personal reasons.
"In any conversation, the person asking the questions holds the power and controls the pace and direction of the conversation." - Matt Rixx, ©2004
Knowing how to "start-up" a conversation can be one of the most important social skills anyone can learn ... understanding what questions NOT to ask (and why) is just as important. And if you understand the secrets and power of professional level networking skills, you can become UNFORGETTABLE ... for the right reasons.
If you are going to be successful, you need to go from "Invisible to UNFORGETTABLE"™
