There’s no day passing by without at least 3 invitations for networking events in all kind of formats. If it was for me the options could be limited to coffee meetings, as I don’t like to talk business to people who try to eat at the same time, and besides you don’t need much time to see who can be of interest for your business and who isn’t. And I admit: I love cappuccino, so an event at a good restaurant or coffee bar will definitely be in favour.

Besides having a good time with the people you meet, you can add much value to attending an event if you prepare and go out with some objectives. After all a good cappuccino is nice, but you want to be able to pay for them in the long run as well.

‘Prepare’ might sound like you have to spend a lot of time on ‘only a coffee meeting’, but you actually just need to make sure that:

• You’ve got sufficient business cards on you. (This might sound obvious but I recently met someone who left his cards in his car. He did email me however, so he definitely made up for it.)
• You’re dressed for the occasion. (Strictly formal, or smart casual?)
• You know who you are going to meet – try to obtain a guest list if possible, or figure out what kind of people will be interested in the topic presented/attending the event
• Based on the profile of the people you expect to meet, you have to determine how you are going to present your company in a way that will appeal to the person you’re talking to. They might not be familiar with your jargon, so be prepared to bring your message across in their language. What kind of background do they have, and how well do they understand what you are talking about?
• Bring the benefits of your company across in your introduction. You only have 1 chance to make a first impression, so make sure that you impress with your introduction about who you are and what you do: which part of the business will they be interested in? Place yourself in their position, and try to imagine what the value of our services could be for them.
• Set your objective, and remind yourself of the objective during the networking event.

During the event:

• Hand out your business card when you introduce yourself to someone and make sure you pay attention to their business card when they give it to you - don’t put it in your pocket right away. Not only is it polite, but a business card can also show some really valuable information to continue the conversation.
• Ask questions to find out if there could be a mutual benefit.
• If there is a mutual benefit, agree on the way forward, and take the initiative that you will follow up by calling/sending info/invitation for coffee.

Post-event:

• Keep one central database for all network contacts. Send the person responsible for this database the required info per contact. Include name, position, contact details, company name, followed by the details discussed and mutual benefits, and how you’re following up or who else should follow up.
• Follow up with the contact, no later than the day after you’ve met him/her! This is the stage where you can really stand out, as most of the people won’t.

That’s enough from my side. Just go out now and enjoy meeting some interesting people, and not to forget the cappuccino … Hope to meet you one day!