Dialogue【Advice on Networking】
Hey Chris!
How was your networking thing tonight?
Not so good.
How did your sales conference go?
Pretty great.
I met around twenty really cool people, including the head of sales at this company called BlackSun software.
And now I'm following through with a few thank you emails.
Wow. You're like a networking ninja!
I wish I could have done half as well as you.
I gave out my business cards and told people what I do.
But no one seemed very interested.
It sounds like you spent the whole time focusing on yourself.
I thought that's what I was supposed to do at a networking event.
Having people get to know me.
No way!
Networking is about building relationships with people.
You're right.
But how do you engage with people?
Every time I tried to start a conversation, it didn't go anywhere.
I think you need to prepare a short introduction and some conversation starters.
That way, you can focus more on listening than thinking of what to say.
I see what you're saying.
I should jump into the conversation quickly and start asking questions.
Exactly!
If you show genuine interest in other people, they'll soon show interest in you.
By the way, do you have any advice on how to end a conversation?
When I was talking to people, we just rambled on until someone left.
It was a little awkward.
genuine: 真诚的
ramble: 漫谈
awkward: 尴尬的
Practice some closers.
Like, "It's been so great talking to you, but I promised to meet someone in five minutes, so here's my card."
"Let's talk soon."
I like to make a brief, meaningful connection and then follow up later.
Well this has been a very interesting conversation.
I had no idea networking was this serious.
You make it sound like speed dating.
Pretty much, though with twice the work and half the fun.
closers: 结束语
Question
- Why does he call his friend a networking ninja?
> He's highly skilled at networking. - A networking "thing" is...
> a networking event - How did he think he was supposed to network?
> talk about himself - What is his advice on getting people interested?
> show interest in other people first - How did he end his conversation at an event?
> He kept talking until someone left. - What should he do to end a conversation?
> prepare some closers beforehand - What does he compare networking to?
> speed dating - He always feels a little awkward about ending a conversation.
- It's like speed-dating, with twice the work and half the fun.
