Networking makes the business world go round. We know the more people we can meet and build genuine, authentic relationships with, the better. Whether you are attending a Chamber of Commerce mixer, taking in a guest lecturer or hopping on the elevator, the opportunities to introduce yourself and establish connections are endless. There is a reason so many professionals toss around the saying “Your network is your net worth.”

Meeting new people comes naturally for some, but for others the act is painfully awkward. Learning how to approach strangers is a process. Have you ever tried to identify the best way to start a conversation? What questions should you ask? In this issue of The Pulse, we present a TED talk by international speaker and business coach Heather White outlining some quick tips on breaking the ice and boosting your networking know-how.

In the video White states that asking someone what they do for a living can be a dead-end question, which is true. However, at Schooley Mitchell we know it can be incredibly valuable when followed up with questions such as:

• How did you get started in that field?

• There has been a lot of change in the past five to 10 years, how has that affected you?

• There seems to be so much rapid change today with technology and methods of operation. How is that changing your business for the future?

• Is it tough to get new business? How do you beat your competitors to get customers – what do you do well that gives you a leg up?

Networking skills are definitely ones to be learned and practiced. To watch the video, go to Networking Know-How.