What are effective networking strategies for building rapport with someone you just met?

It always helps to understand the room you are walking into. Feeling prepared will help with your confidence. Being invited to participate is proof you deserve to be in the room, but understanding the “players” and preparing discussion topics will ensure you make the most of the face to face time you get. Be friendly and inviting as you never know who might be there that you didn’t get a chance to “study” in advance.

Some suggestions: Be authentic and honest Be attentive and curious Be respectful and courteous Be positive and supportive Be open and flexible And this shouldn’t require too much preparation, also could try to be interested not just be interesting 🤔

Consider the case of Dale Carnegie, the renowned author and self-improvement guru. He built an empire by helping people improve their social skills, emphasizing the importance of being fully present in conversations. His timeless classic, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," advocates for active listening and showing genuine interest in others. In your networking efforts, channel your inner Dale Carnegie. Be the person who listens intently, shows respect, and makes others feel valued. Just as Carnegie's principles have endured, your presence in networking can leave a lasting impact.

Presence is one of the most important skills in networking (well in any relationship you want to nurture and grow) Be there 100%, in the room and when you are having a 1-1 conversation. Leave everything else outside the room. Listen with your eyes, mind, heart and through the body language that you use to show that you are giving your full attention. Do not think what you are going to say next. Do not judge. Do not interrupt. Just listen. Be there. This is a mindfulness skill that I highly recommend to practice on a daily basis so you can also network like a pro.

Asking non personal questions to a new contact is a great way of building a genuine rapport. Two questions that I lead in with. Ask them why they chose the industry they are in. Asking them outside of work, what interests them, again this a great way to build rapport and find common ground.

Curiosity wins every time. I always enjoy asking “So, did you always know you wanted to be a [title] at [employer]?“ as an ice breaker. This opens the door to learn and connect about similar experiences, feelings, or interests one has experienced to get to where they are today. Regardless of their answer, you’re guaranteed to learn something new because everyone’s story is so unique!

Most people, when they meet a person they could potentially benefit from in some way, are singularly focused in figuring out how to get this ‘benefit’ - they don’t actively listen in the conversation, and are just waiting for the opportunity to say, or ask for, something. This isn’t networking. Find out what the person you met is looking for help with, and find a way to help them. It will eventually come back to you exponentially.

Give as much as you can and expect nothing in return. Be grateful you are in a position to help others with grace. Too many people are trying to balance a scoreboard of I gave 2 so I get 2 back, but this is wrong thinking. Just go out and be the biggest scoring leader ever if you gave 200 then next time give 300 and keep your numbers up.

To create a lasting impact in networking, move beyond small talk. Share valuable insights, practical advice, or engaging stories, making you memorable and valuable. This positions you as a sought-after connection, strengthening professional relationships. In "Made to Stick" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, they stress shifting from transmitting information to provoking questions. This approach sparks curiosity, encourages profound conversations, and ensures memorable, valuable networking interactions that advance your professional growth. It's about providing substance, sparking curiosity, and nurturing connections that extend beyond surface-level interactions.

Being memorable is about how you make the other person feel after speaking with you. If they feel good, they will remember you favourably. Sharing something unique about you will also make a lasting impression. Example, a lady I met shared that she has 43-year old pet parrot and took a parachuting course in summer. That is one lady I am going to remember for sure.

Consistency in your networking efforts is essential for building and maintaining rapport. Think of it as nurturing a valuable relationship over time, which pays dividends in the business development world. Amazon's success is deeply rooted in its focus on customer relationships. Bezos made it a point to read customer emails and personally address their concerns, even when the company was in its early days. By consistently engaging with customers and demonstrating Amazon's commitment to their satisfaction, Bezos built an e-commerce empire. By consistently reaching out, listening, and providing value, you can foster rapport and build fruitful connections that lead to success.

I’ve been attending one particular group for 15 years now. Many have come and gone, but consistency has led me to many professional AND personal opportunities. It has also helped me establish my personal “brand” in our community through relationships built and people I’ve helped connect to others. Consistency isn’t just key. It’s KING in networking.

Share something personal very quickly and continue with a follow up question to allow them to share something personal. For instance, an entrepreneur is meeting an investor for a coffee… One could mention (when the other person asks how’s it going - they always ask and very few people share anything but blah blah) “I had a great run this morning and realized that I’m getting old since I’m not the same machine I was when I was 18” How about you, how was your morning? You like to do anything fun/special to get your mind ready for needy entrepreneurs? With this one: - Demonstrates that they like sports (opens the door to many conversations) - They bring a humane approach (makes other person more comfortable) - Understanding them - trying

In my experience, networking is an amazing way to learn. Learn more about the person that you just met or even to just discuss something that is important to both of you and perhaps getting to understand a different point of view. Be open!