This is part of a comprehensive article “The 10 Deadly Sins of Naughty Networkers”…
7. Not answering the “What do you do?” question very well
You can be sure you are always asked the “What do you do?” question. Most people tell the questioner what you are not what you do. People want to know how you can help them not what your title is. Consider the question and answer with ‘I help my clients to OR when OR if etc.
8. Misreading the Room
Walking into a strange room full of strangers is difficult for most people and that includes me. I always get there early to avoid that challenge. Every room has no more than 6 types of formats. There are 3 ‘open’ formats; people on their own, couples standing in a ‘v’ shape and trios in semi-circles. Their body language is saying ‘Come and join us’. Couples standing face to face, trios in a triangle and groups of 4+ are formed in a closed set-up. Unless you know someone there avoid the latter 3 groups until they move and you see an opening.
