Be careful of subtle messages and signals

Today, I would like to discuss how in a networking environment, the smallest things can mean the biggest difference.

Every networking businessperson needs to be careful in the subtle messages and signals given out when interacting with our colleagues in networking environment.

Some considerations:

1. When giving a presentation, avoid saying 'I have just stayed up the night in preparing this presentation'.

Sure, you will get giggles from your colleagues but the real message is: I am a last minute person. I do everything last minute.

Do you think you can receive referrals from your colleagues after having communicating this? If it were me, I wouldn't trust you with any referrals as I fear that you will be ill-prepared to meet my contacts.

2. In preparation of your speaker profile (when you are invited as a key-note speaker), please prepare it powerfully.

Recently I attended a networking meeting where the key-note speaker was not aware of the subtle messages communicated.

She wrote in the profile, under the line of hobbies: Nothing. Just watching TV.

Worst still, under the line of describing your burning desire, she merely wrote: eating and sleeping.

It scared the heck out of me!

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Write powerfully, say for example, if you indeed like to do nothing, write it powerfully like: 'In her spare time, Alice loves to relax quietly at home, or catching up with her favourite TV programs to take her mind off from the hectic day.

Or write: Alice loves to try out new foods in new restaurants and would one day, become a successful food critic.

You see, we need to be careful of the subtle messages sent out.

Are you now going to take a moment to revisit your profile and ensure that it's filled out powerfully?

Remember, it is the smallest things that makes the biggest difference.