Give First Ask Later // 11.16.2008 at 3:22 PM

Categories: Leadership and Influence, Quality of Work Life, Training and Development

At a recent networking event I encountered a few interesting "networkers".

They had their elevator speeches down and had the mechanics of networking all right.

Until they tried to make a connection with me.

It quickly became (after asking what I do--and barely listening) "You know what...my (product or service) could really help your company! We should sit down for coffee and talk more about that. When would you be available?"

The hook: in these cases their product/service had NOTHING to do with my company. One was a financial services package for companies with 20+ employees.... Who didn't ask how many employees I have before pitching me.

What COULD they have done when they met people?

Simple: Asked the other person what they're looking for and who THEY need to meet. If they want to sell their product/service they could have simply told people why it's valuable, what problems they solve for people and then asked if anyone you know is having that type of problem.

...and when they asked for a coffee meeting they could have (I know, this is weird) said they want to meet not only to talk about themselves but (more importantly) how THEY can help the OTHER person.

I have time for that discussion. I'd also make time to help them because of that discussion.

Have you ever had a similiar experience?

What advice would you give people?

Share by posting below!

Comments

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I agree, it is irritating when someone pitches to you but doesn't take the time to know who they are pitching to. The saddest thing is when it actually is a well-crafted pitch, but I'm just not the target.
I usually find the best pitches involve talking about how that person can help you. I've known some great pitchers who can tailor their pitch to who they are talking to. By what they know about you, they know whether to give you an emotional sell, a practical sell, or a combination.

Alan Baker on 11.19.2008 at 09:35 AM

I have been to a ton of networking events and I always encounter numerous "it's all about me" types. I find them to be annoying. I find MLM's to be especially annoying. I also cannot stand when they proceed to follow up on our meeting 5 times. One email or one phone call is enough for me.
I have had the experience of insurance reps eagerly call me until I tell them that I have life insurance, health insurance, etc and I simply do not need anymore.
Does it always come down to a transaction? can people not just get to know each other and have a basic relationship first?

Sarah Radford on 11.20.2008 at 1:17 PM

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