You’re going networking.

How does that statement make you feel?

Are you a seasoned networker, for whom these three seemingly harmless little words give rise to no more than a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders? It is, after all, an opportunity to build business relationships.

Or are you hearing these words in an altogether different tone? More along the lines of your diary screaming “You’re going networking!!!” at you when you see the entry, or realise that it is a work event that you can’t get out of. After all, it’s bad enough speaking in public, let alone walking into a room full of strangers…

Whichever end of the scale you are, or somewhere in between, you likely want to be more effective, be more comfortable, see more results from networking. So what do you do to prepare?

• You’re having a 1-2-1 coffee meeting. How can you make the meeting more engaging? What is the language of the conversation?

• You’re speaking at a business breakfast. How can you make your introduction more memorable? What is your ‘you’ count?

• You’re at a conference, speaking to everyone. How can you rise above the ‘elevator pitch’ trap? Make your opening conversations richer, warmer, more engaging?

You’re going networking. I’ll travel with you, sharing scenarios and practical tips drawn from personal – and yes, sometimes painful! – experiences along the way to help you be more effective, be more comfortable, see more results.