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Having 1-2-1 Meetings
Networking is about TRUST!
If you trust someone you will be more inclined to recommend others you know to them.
Gaining a level of trust need much more than a brief introduction or a few exchanged messages.
One of the best ways to build that trust is to use a 1-2-1 meeting format. This is not new, but to maximise the potential here are eight suggestions that you might like to consider when doing a 1-2-1.
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These 1-2-1 meetings should be in private. That means somewhere that you can sit and talk without others interrupting you.
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Make sure you are sat down and are prepared to be completely focused on the other person
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Ensure you know the name of the person you are talking to. Write it down if you are bad with names. Takes notes if you want, but ask the other person if that is OK first.
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When addressing the other person remember to include their name and use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ where appropriate. People like to hear their names.
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Agree how long the meeting will be. I suggest a minimum of 60 minutes if you are just doing the one. If you are at an event where you have two or three arranged then try 30 minutes initially, although this is barely enough.
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Spend about 1/3 of the time asking the other person about themselves, what they do? What their interests and passions are? What are their dreams and goals etc.
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Repeat the exercise with them asking you the questions. Allow them to probe to find out all about you. Your beliefs, passions and if they can have a level of trust.
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Finally spent the last 1/3 of the time exploring how you can help each other. Who do they want to connect with? What sort of person or businesses are they searching for? Make a commitment to follow up and to do something for this person.
After the formalities and the basic questions a good question to ask is something along the lines of:-
“What is your number one priority in life?”
They will respond with something that is important to them. Now ask the following questions to extract further information. Agree with all answers, nod with approval, and do not question what they have said as being wrong. If they say it, they believe they are right.
A good way of extracting more information is after they give an answer is to respond with words such as:-
Meaning? For Example? So Then? Therefore? Then You...? Which Means?
These help the other person to focus on what they are saying.
Finally remember to thank them!
If you have promised to do something for them … then do it!
Spend a few minutes writing down the names of anyone you feel could help them or they could help.
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