It’s Not Net-Sit or Net-Eat — It’s Called Network

I came up with this phrase, “It’s Not Net-Sit or Net-Eat — It’s Called Network”, back in 1985 when I went to a business mixer and witnessed virtually everyone either sitting around the edges of the room or standing around eating and drinking.  Almost no one was actually networking. It struck me like a bolt of lightning that this was supposed to be a “networking” event but people were just eating and drinking (especially the later)! As a result, the first mixer that I personally organized, I went to a printer and printed up this phrase on little signs and put them all around the room to remind people why they were there.

I also came up with the original version of the 10 Commandments of Networking which I printed and posted around the room.

The 10 Commandments of Networking

1. Have the tools to network with you at all times (card holder, badge cards, etc.).
2. Set a goal for the number of people you’ll meet.
3. Act like a host, not a guest.
4. Listen and ask questions.
5. Don’t try to sell to them.
6. Give referrals whenever possible.
7. Exchange business cards.
8. Manage your time efficiently.
9. Write notes about your conversation.
10. Follow up!

One last thing I did before the event got fully underway was to tell everyone that it’s ok to come to a networking event with someone you know or a co-worker; just don’t hang around with that person.

What a difference in networking events.  By just giving a little guidance to the participants, the event was much more successful than the ones I’d seen in the past. So GET UP, get off your phones and network.