The starting point of every choice is the present situation. Being connected with your reality is the only thing we have to give us the right answer. If you are in a process of choosing with whom and where to network, spend some time with yourself and sincerely answer the question on a piece of paper: What is my present business situation and what are my personal circumstances as relation to it? You might realize the need to change you priorities, delegate obligations or simply respect more your creative abilities to accumulate effective business relationships. From that point of view there are three stages you need to go trough to help you choose.
First stage: The clarification
Asking questions is the most effective way to challenge our capability to apply the knowledge we already have. Make sure there is some space left on that piece of paper and answer the following questions:
What are my business abilities at the present moment?
Here you might need to clarify what is it that that you offer now or what is the essence of your products and services.
What are my professional skills and personal aspects that support most strongly my abilities?
At that point think about what skill you mostly enjoy performing. Personal aspect is a topic by itself so for now simply decide what do you want other people to know about you.
What are my personal desires and business needs at the moment?
When you answer that question have in mind everyones need to find the balance between effective and enjoyable business relationships.
What to say?
Essential point of that stage is discovering the words, which express plainly the clarity youve just achieved. Some of you might like to call that an elevators pitch. Bear in mind that on networking event everyone is on selling mode, so pitching often is a waste of time. Getting in touch with the meaning you give to the chosen words helps you communicate the essence of your work and how your business individuality is integrated into it. Otherwise our words can be interpreted in many ways from the person we talk to. Expressing shortly and clearly what you do is one of the biggest challenges we come across when we network. How we can decide what to say and what to keep for later? Every day in our business is different. Problems, clients, priorities, needs, recourses etc. are changing sometimes within a day. Do you think that preparing once an elevators pitch and use it at every networking opportunity will help you relate in business? If yes is your answer, I suggest strongly to reconsider that idea. Go trough The Clarification stage every time before you go networking. Find the true intention of your need to connect with new people. Then create your short business presentation to match that intention. Otherwise you will talk in generally and the feedback youll get will be general.
When you meeting the truth you experience in your business, the essential focus goes into being as specific as possible and unsparing sincere with yourself.
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