Networking Conversations - Continued...

Today, as the week begins, I thought it would be ideal to pick up on the subject of networking conversations. You may want to re-read that article before proceeding to this one.

The following are questions to be engaged when meeting a person who is a colleague of yours in a strong contact network, such as BNI or your preferred networking groups for referrals. These questions can be engaged before or after a networking meeting.

• Can I have more information about who you are looking for?
• Who was your last client yesterday? Why did they come to you?
• How will I know if someone needs your services? (something they say, do, look like?)
• When can we meet for a one-to-one meeting?
• How would I know if someone I am speaking to is an ideal customer for you?

Once again, these are all open-ended questions, which will compel the other person to give an answer beyond a 'yes' or 'no'.

Having a mastery in open ended questions is the first key to succeed in business networking. There are many books on this subject. I will list down some good titles in the next article.

In the meantime, be a natural in these lines for your networking success.

The point is this: the answers from the other person will prompt you to think of a referral for her business. And that's the essence of business networking: to powerfully connect the other person.