being transmitted. Additionally, if someone is trying to show interest in you, play the game. Give some creative answers. Ask some equally fascinating questions in return. Networking is an active sport, not for those who want to stay on the sidelines.

If you find your colleagues more interesting than prospective customers or referral sources, then stay away from networking events. Go to lunch with just your

Recently I have attended several networking events where I was amazed to find out that there were several people from the same business attending the event too. What was amazing was that those people sat right next to each other at the same tables. What were they thinking?

In the one instance those people were at the table where I chose to sit. I tried to strike up a conversation with the person to my right, and no matter what I asked I was met with conversation ending answers. It sure did make me hesitant about speaking to the two additional people representing the same company. The person who didn’t feel like conversing essentially acted as a barrier to the other two people sitting to her right. Now I guess I’m going to have to get more creative with my questions in the future. Maybe at my next event I will ask if they can share their favorite story about a success. So I must take some responsibility. Perhaps that day I wasn’t on my best with the questions I asked! But let’s face it. Have I been left with a good impression of the company these people represent? I can tell you that it would take a considerable amount of effort on that company’s part to get me to think favorable of them in the future.

The solution is so simple that I hate to even mention it. But sometimes the obvious is clouded by all the small details. If you are attending a networking event with a colleague, PLEASE part company at the door. You will be doing a huge favor for yourself, your colleague and your company. Groups of people deliver silent body language that they are a closed entity. It is very difficult for someone to approach when those signals are being transmitted. Additionally, if someone is trying to show interest in you, play the game. Give some creative answers. Ask some equally fascinating questions in return. Networking is an active sport, not for those who want to stay on the sidelines.

If you find your colleagues more interesting than prospective customers or referral sources, then stay away from networking events. Go to lunch with just your

and no matter what I asked I was met with conversation ending answers. It sure did make me hesitant about speaking to the two additional people representing the same company. The person who didn’t feel like conversing essentially acted as a barrier to the other two people sitting to her right. Now I guess I’m going to have to get more creative with my questions in the future. Maybe at my next event I will ask if they can share their favorite story about a success. So I must take some responsibility. Perhaps that day I wasn’t on my best with the questions I asked! But let’s face it. Have I been left with a good impression of the company these people represent? I can tell you that it would take a considerable amount of effort on that company’s part to get me to think favorable of them in the future.

The solution is so simple that I hate to even mention it. But sometimes the obvious is clouded by all the small details. If you are attending a networking event with a colleague, PLEASE part company at the door. You will be doing a huge favor for yourself, your colleague and your company. Groups of people deliver silent body language that they are a closed entity. It is very difficult for someone to approach when those signals are being transmitted. Additionally, if someone is trying to show interest in you, play the game. Give some creative answers. Ask some equally fascinating questions in return. Networking is an active sport, not for those who want to stay on the sidelines.

If you find your colleagues more interesting than prospective customers or referral sources, then stay away from networking events. Go to lunch with just your

hey can share their favorite story about a success. So I must take some responsibility. Perhaps that day I wasn’t on my best with the questions I asked! But let’s face it. Have I been left with a good impression of the company these people represent? I can tell you that it would take a considerable amount of effort on that company’s part to get me to think favorable of them in the future.

The solution is so simple that I hate to even mention it. But sometimes the obvious is clouded by all the small details. If you are attending a networking event with a colleague, PLEASE part company at the door. You will be doing a huge favor for yourself, your colleague and your company. Groups of people deliver silent body language that they are a closed entity. It is very difficult for someone to approach when those signals are being transmitted. Additionally, if someone is trying to show interest in you, play the game. Give some creative answers. Ask some equally fascinating questions in return. Networking is an active sport, not for those who want to stay on the sidelines.

If you find your colleagues more interesting than prospective customers or referral sources, then stay away from networking events. Go to lunch with just your

simple that I hate to even mention it. But sometimes the obvious is clouded by all the small details. If you are attending a networking event with a colleague, PLEASE part company at the door. You will be doing a huge favor for yourself, your colleague and your company. Groups of people deliver silent body language that they are a closed entity. It is very difficult for someone to approach when those signals are being transmitted. Additionally, if someone is trying to show interest in you, play the game. Give some creative answers. Ask some equally fascinating questions in return. Networking is an active sport, not for those who want to stay on the sidelines.

If you find your colleagues more interesting than prospective customers or referral sources, then stay away from networking events. Go to lunch with just your

being transmitted. Additionally, if someone is trying to show interest in you, play the game. Give some creative answers. Ask some equally fascinating questions in return. Networking is an active sport, not for those who want to stay on the sidelines.

If you find your colleagues more interesting than prospective customers or referral sources, then stay away from networking events. Go to lunch with just your colleagues.

Those big networking breakfasts, lunches or business after hours can be daunting. If you smile, make eye contact and generally act like an interesting person, the pay-off will be more customers, more friends and a fuller more interesting life.