Business Networking Strategy: ?Small Talk? Often Leads to Bigger ...

Several months ago, I stumbled upon?The HOLSTEE Manifesto, almost a verbatim prose of the way I try to live my life. ?It?s pretty amazing if you read it. ?Here is the latest installment on my thoughts? ?Enjoy!

Throughout my career, I have logged a lot of time at social hours, meeting new people and reacquainting myself with friends. A social hour could be a holiday party, a dinner, an industry event, a happy hour, a reception, an educational conference, or anything where there are like-minded people there that desire to meet one another. ?I find these settings to be particularly effective networking opportunities, especially for new members of the group.? Yet often I hear people say, ?I?m not very good at making small talk.? I simply don?t know what to talk about other than the business at hand, and that can be both boring and tedious after a day of meetings.?

I hear you. If you know me, though, I?m usually not the one lost for words. But that?s my personality. If you?re wired differently, meeting someone new and connecting can be a rather uncomfortable challenge, one that limits your exposure to new ideas and to new friends.

So what do you talk about? How do you launch into a meaningful conversation that gets both parties interested and engaged?? I know some people who work very hard at getting the most out of networking opportunities, to the tune of actually compiling a list of potential topics prior to a gathering. I?m not quite that prepared, nor would I want to be. That would take the fun out of networking for me.

Here?s a suggestion, though, for those looking for a topic to get a conversation rolling or, at least, off dead center.?? Ask the person what his or her passion is.? Nothing inspires people more than talking about something they love.? Better yet, this ?small talk? can be the key to truly getting to know someone.? Who knows, you may have similar passions.? Then again, maybe not, but in any case it?s likely a topic that will keep a conversation going and give both parties a better understanding of one another ? two things that often lead to bigger and better things.

Here are a few go-to questions that can spur conversation:

1. ?What is your passion?

2. ?What keeps you up at night?

3. ?What is your favorite vacation destination? ?Beach or Mountains?

4. ?If you won the lottery, what would you do?

5. ?Who is your best friend? ?And why?

Yes, out of box. ?Yes, honest. ?Yes, transparent. ?Yes, vulnerable. ?But, some of my best friends, or best business connections have come from ?small talk?.

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Source: http://www.jasoncupp.com/2012/12/business-networking-strategy-small-talk-often-leads-to-bigger-things-holstee/

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