How to stand out while networking. The ONLE Networking Show ep23 with Pierre Bauzee.

Kelly and James reveal their top tips for how to leave a lasting impression at your next networking meeting to ensure that people remember you and your business for the right reasons. Plus we discuss comments from our members about their barriers to business growth which revealed some unexpected results.

Finally, we hear an insightful interview with Pierre Bauzee of Beyond Satisfaction where he reveals how working at The Four Seasons instilled in him the power and importance of customer service which accelerated the development of his own business.

Listen/subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-stand-out-while-networking-the-onle-networking/id1500905335?i=1000625066394

Listen/subscribe on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/08aSqXDPahaGuUF96u9VTd?si=8cfce21ef3974c49

Our sponsor

The ONLE Networking Show is proud to be sponsored by The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. The Mayflower is a live entertainment venue which attracts more than half a million visitors every year, contributing more than £70 million to the local economy each year. The Theatre is deeply involved with the local business community, you can find out about corporate events, room hire and business membership using the following links:

Corporate events and room hire-  https://www.mayflower.org.uk/functions/
Business membership- https://www.mayflower.org.uk/support-us/business-membership/

Show notes
How to stand out while networking:

Is it harder to stand out while networking online? Some may struggle with knowing less information about another person, with just the Zoom background and name to go on. That said, recent in-person events tend to in fact be reliant on small talk, generic introductions, which masks your individuality. So whichever medium you choose for your networking, it takes a different approach to stand out amongst the crowd.

It is just as easy to be memorable at networking for the wrong reasons as it is for the right reasons. Whether it is not listening when others are talking, selling at everyone you meet or simply being boring, most people are quick to switch off from your conversation if you don’t make the connection a priority.

Instead, some helpful tips that will keep you and your business at the forefront of people’s mind is practising your active listening skills, so you are able to ask insightful questions leading to a better understanding of one another. You’d be surprised how much a smile and nod can make all the difference in allowing others to feel at ease.

Planning your approach prior to your networking meeting is crucial to ensuring that you are clear in what you want and don’t leave others guessing. Time is precious in today’s fast paced lifestyle so avoid waffling by thinking about your intro ahead of time so it’s succinct, interesting and shows both your personality and that of the business. This will also make it easier for people to follow up with you as your messaging and delivery was memorable.

Finally, an introduction can only take you so far, therefore your follow up strategy can make all the difference. Our memories are short, so whatever you can do to stay at the forefront of someone’s mind will deepen your long term connection and therefore business prospects. It may only be a small gesture, but a like and comment on someone’s latest social media posts will go a long way in making you more memorable - and you’d be surprised how many don’t do this as part of their follow up.

Based on Sam Sharma’s ONLE talks, building a six-figure business, conversation amongst members revealed that time and prioritisation were the most common barriers to business growth as opposed to the sales and marketing strategies which is most often blamed for stagnation. Similarly, it was clear that many people fear losing sole control of their business but was acknowledged that often you need to invest money in others in order to create progress.

ONLE members notes from around the network about barriers to growth:
Janette Wong: “Making sure my calendar doesn’t run me”

Yvonne Onomor: “Avoiding a situation where you are wearing too many hats and balancing business requirements”

Rob Edmonds: “People being reluctant to spend money”

Tom Perkins: “I didn’t want a massive business so I streamlined and got people to do the bits that aren’t cost- effective for me to do. It’s important to reduce stress by knowing what clients NOT to take on”.

Conclusion: Standing out at networking doesn’t have to be complicated, it takes effort to ensure that the other person feels heard and respected but simple gestures of active listening and social media activity can make all the difference in being a memorable connection. If all else fails, a nice background with some things to talk about!

Give Pierre a follow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-bauz%C3%A9e-233b058b/, https://www.facebook.com/beyondsatisfactioncsexpert/