Compound Knowledge
Compound Interest is not limited to financial investing—it can pertain to knowledge too. Knowledge adds up. The more you know, the more comfortable you will be networking. Take the time to build on your knowledge before you go to an event, and your comfort level will grow.
When I started taking a few minutes prior to an event (e.g., coffee, a business meeting) to learn more about it—the history of the organization, what type of people attend—I became more comfortable with networking. I was armed with knowledge.
This calmed down any anxiety I had about attending. Research is my secret weapon and it should be yours.
Fortunately, these days research for networking doesn't take long.
In a few short minutes you can learn about the hosting organization’s board and its purpose, and read a bit about the the meeting attendees. These tidbits can come in handy during conversations. The information can also give you a road map of people you want to meet.
You may also learn that the event is not something you are interested in, and you can choose to spend your time networking elsewhere. (NOTE: This may not work for all of your business events!)
Knowledge really is power.
I also recommend that you expand your research beyond a specific event or meeting. Research every day! In a few minutes you can scan headlines to get up to speed on the topics of the day. Read one article or watch the top-of-the-hour of any news station—you'll get the gist of what is going on in the world.
Read about something you may not be interested in. Learning about a different point of view will come in handy.
Sports is not my bailiwick. However, I live in a sports town, so I keep up with how the local teams are doing. I use this information to start many a conversation. It’s a great icebreaker, and much more interesting than talking about the weather.
You never know when something you’ve learned will add to a conversation, or merely give you a better understanding of other people’s point of view.
Don't limit your research to the internet. Ask a friend or trusted colleague what they know about the event or meeting. The bonus in this approach is that you're networking and gaining knowledge at the same time—a two-fer!
Take a few minutes each day to research. It's like interest: the compound effect will amaze you.
Have a networking problem? Email me at jankostner@gmail.com and I'll answer your question in an up coming blog.
P.S. Looking for easy ways to research? I subscribe to several aggregators, newsletters and news outlets. Here are two customizable aggregators I adore: Flipboard and Apple News.
