I finally figured out why my networking at the Chamber event felt so forced

For years I'd go to those big mixers downtown and just hand out cards, asking what people did. Last month at the Jasper Avenue meetup, I stopped pitching and just asked one guy about a problem he mentioned. We talked for 20 minutes about supply chain stuff, and he introduced me to two real contacts later. Everyone is so focused on selling themselves they forget to listen first. How do you start a real conversation at these things without it feeling like a transaction?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamiew532mo ago

You're right about everyone forgetting to listen first, I see that at hardware stores all the time.

oscarc531mo ago

Yeah @jamiew53, I just shut up and let them talk first, works every time.

hugomurray2mo ago

Isn't it more about people rushing to give advice?