Anatomy of a Networking Meeting

In the toolkit is an outline on how to run a networking meeting.   As I started my networking, I realized that I was too often trying to squeeze in giving or getting connections or trying to jam in a last few comments at the end (Tip: Once someone stands up, their receiver is turned to ‘off’).

Use this outline to help organize your meetings and adjust the timing or order based on your contact.  For example, if you are meeting a former colleague, you may not need to review your experience in detail – but use it for identifying possible connections.

Two recommendations:

·         On the order:  Keep the focus on your contact to start the meeting, so you set the tone that this is truly a networking meeting.   See “Practicing the 80% Rule”.

·         On taking notes: It’s all you – even if they take notes – record all the action items.