6 Tips for Confident Business Networking

What the partners of Leicestershire based 
Morgan Gleave Art & Design 
have learnt during 
12 years of running a small business. 

This is an overview of four related articles recently posted on this blog.

Underpinning everything here is that you should be organised and plan ahead.  

Tip 1:    Look good,  Feel good  

• Ensure that you are well dressed, groomed and accessorised. 

• Decide what you are going to wear, check that it is clean and in good repair well in advance.  

Click HERE for more details. 

Excuse me, folks...I think you need to tone it 
down a tad.  Oh, and nude isn't such 
a good look either...

This little poppet has the right idea.

Tip 2:   Plan 

• Know when and where you are going.  

• Ensure you have everything you need.  

• Decide what are going to say about your business  

• Consider what questions to ask  

Click HERE for more details

Surely it's not THAT difficult to 
think of questions...

An irrelevant but intriguing image. 
Anybody got any ideas about 
what's going on?

Tip 3:  Put your business head on  (Think Worzel Gummidge)  

• Ensure that you arrive in good time to spend a few moments mentally making the transition from travelling mode to Efficient, Confident Business Mode.  

Click HERE for more details 

It's good to have different heads.
Hopefully you will have time to dry clean 
your suit, Worzel.

Goodness gracious me!
You certainly found a handsome head, Worzel.  
Cleaned your suit too.
You're sooooo SEXY Worzel  Gummidge...

Tip 4:  Make your entrance  

Walk in like a film star who is smiling and ready to talk pleasantly to anybody.

Not sure about the off the shoulder look and 

a tad heavy on the make up, but you'll do, Elizabeth.

Well, Richard, you've certainly got confidence...but 
don't you think that a bog standard suit would be better?

Tip 5:  Remember your manners 

Polite

Not polite. 
 (Huh!  Caught out!)

Tip 6:  Have Fun!

Best try to have fun without 

leaping on a fellow networker...

...and rolling around on the floor
 is probably going a bit far too.

You may find the following links useful:

• 4 Step Plan to Boost Your Confidence at Business Networking Events: Step 1 

• 4 Step Plan to Boost Your Confidence at Business Networking Events: Step 2

• 4 Step Plan to Boost Your Confidence at Business Networking Events:  Step 3

• 4 Step Plan to Boost Your Confidence at Business Networking Events:  Step 4

• 10 Things Not To Do at a Networking Event 

• 2 Easy Techniques to Calm and Relax You at (Almost) Anywhere and at Anytime.

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You Want to Start Your Own Business? Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Submit Your Resignation Part One

What the partners of Leicestershire based Morgan Gleave Art & Design have learnt in 11 years of running a small business.  

 

1) Is my business idea realistic?

• Do you know enough about my chosen area?  Does Ms Arrogant know enough about brain surgery?

• Can you deliver the product/service to a consistently high standard?  Mr Resentful may or may not be able to do this.

• Is you product/service worth selling?  There may not be a market for your product/service.  Do you think that Ms Naïve’s friends are just being kind?

• Do you have a product/service to sell or are you looking for an easier way to earn a living?  Do you really think that being self-employed is easier than getting a job?

• Do you believe in you product/service?  Unless you are a Mr Del-Boy you will not be able to effectively sell something you do not believe in.

Right!   That’s got rid of them!  That leaves us decent folk to carry on to the next question.

2) Do I have the drive to succeed? 

• Am I prepared to work long hours?  Are you too accustomed to working from 9-5 with an hour for lunch plus two coffee breaks a day.  Are you prepared to work from 8 a.m. until silly-o’clock six days a week?  (Lunch break?  Coffee breaks?  Giggle…)

• Can I manage without long holidays?

3)  Am I emotionally equipped to deal with self employment?

• How flexible am I? 

• Am I open to constructive criticism?  When someone suggests changing something, do you stubbornly carry on as before or do you stop and seriously consider the suggestion?

• Can I manage if my family/friends are not supportive?

• How do I cope with failure?  Business is one long round of setbacks and disappointments interspersed with wonderful opportunities and unexpected successes.  Will you be able to bounce back again and again and again without getting disheartened? See you blog, A Useful Little Trick for Managing ‘Bad’ Feelings for a little help with coping with life’s setbacks.    

• Do I enjoy a challenge?

• Have I got good interpersonal skills?

• Have I got enough confidence?  Have you got the confidence to put yourself and your product/skills out there and risk rejection or negative feedback, to deal with awkward clients/suppliers and to effectively network?

• How will I deal with the mistakes I make?  You will make mistakes.  Whoppers.  That is how we learn but when it comes to your first start up, it can be a painful and frequently expensive learning curve.

‘Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm’

Winston Churchill

Clinck on this link to read the next part of this series:  YouWant to Start Your Own Business?  Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Submit Your Resignation Part Two