Half way through October and today was The Chamber Sessions number four. Brilliant to see not just another full house but a real cross section of people. The mix included new faces, big organisations, small ones and new ones. Pretty much exactly the profile of the Chamber, and what’s more everyone there had the same attitude; let’s learn something about how to do business, better. So absolutely typical of the Chamber.
Guest speaker today was the multi-talented Chris Liles on behalf of Smith and Pinching. His task? To teach us how to be better at face to face networking.
It’s an increasingly digital world but meeting people face to face is still an essential part of widening your spread of contacts, and winning new business. It must be true because, as Chris pointed out, there are upwards of fifty networking groups in the county.
From the start this was an interactive and engaging session. Everybody there did their ‘elevator pitch’, setting out who they were, what they did and why it would be good to talk to them. Interestingly everybody delivered well within the thirty seconds each that Chris allowed.
Questioning skills and, just as importantly, listening skills were addressed along with body language including that all important firm handshake.
Chris talked about choosing a networking group that suits you; somewhere you’ll find the kind of people you need to talk to. He had great tips on how to scan the room to find groups that would be easy to approach. Two really excellent pointers were to make sure you engage with the host as a centre of influence, and have plenty of business cards with you.
A great selection of hard copy hand outs with useful facts and questions for networking sessions made the session really useful.
This was another Chamber Session that really delivered. Get networking – although of course you are already a member of the county’s preeminent networking group!
Which is why you should be at the next Chamber Session on November 5th. It’s about be better at growing.
Be there, The Chamber Sessions are certainly growing into something quite special.
Get in to The Chamber Sessions. Check here for details. Start doing business, better.
Article by Pete Goodrum
