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Networking issues? Take a lesson from cruise ship passengers.

April 30th, 2010 | Posted in Kudos & Blunders, uncategorized | No Comments
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If you’ve ever been a cruise, you know that it’s like living in a big fantasy land vessel – at least for several days. Sunshine, tranquil views and crashing waves, make it easy for people to step out of their comfort zones and walk up to people to start conversations. Not only is it expected, it happens naturally. Suddenly everyday citizens could teach networking at it’s finest. They’ve got it down with smiles, good eye contact, firm (but not crushing) handshakes, short introductions and good listening skills.
If only it were this easy networking for business, especially at tradeshows and conventions. It really can be. Here’s the deal. No matter what field of business you’re in, the way you speak and communicate is fundamental to how you’re perceived. People who use incorrect grammar, or talk mostly about themselves are seen in less than positive light.
Being a good conversationalist though isn’t really about eloquence. It’s about adaquately hearing others and getting your message across. It sounds simple. But it’s vital to conducting business.
When you’re an indifferent listener, how can you possibly even remember someone’s name?
Think about it. People on cruise ships make an effort to remember names or at least identifying factors. It doesn’t matter if you say “Hey KC. Or, “How are you doing today New Zealand?,” people understand the impact of making connections. They get the importance of 15 second introductions. They are on vacation, so they embrace peace and don’t talk just to fill up dead air. But they seem to always have a few conversation topics, so they’re never caught short without something to talk about. And they know that the best way to reduce social anxiety is to focus on the other person.
It took a cruise vacation to remind me that when you encourage someone to talk – by listenng and asking thoughtful questions – you almost always find out things that you wouldn’t learn if you dominated a conversation. More importantly, you leave a much more favorable impression.

Audience distractions are annoying to speakers and attendees

March 31st, 2010 | Posted in Kudos & Blunders, uncategorized | No Comments
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Have you ever felt like everyone was staring at you in disgust, even though they weren’t? That’s how I felt last week when I forgot to put my cell phone on vibrate and it rang loudly in a small room at an event. Thankfully I moved so fast that it didn’t ring twice. But it was still embarrassing – especially since the incident is one my biggest pet peeves. Hard to believe that I’m the one who tends to miss calls because my phone generally stays on vibrate.
It was a good reminder that while nobody is perfect, there’s a big difference in making a mistake and just being plain inconsiderate at events. Texting, chewing food loudly and messing with body parts is rude while speakers are talking at events. Actions like talking and fumbling through purses is bothersome to audience members too.
I’ll never forget the guy who actually answered his phone during a funeral. Unfortunately he chose to have a short conversation instead of quickly turning off the device.
It doesn’t matter how much education or experience a person has, it’s hard to view them the same when they’re rude at a conference, program or event.
One of my colleagues sent me an e-mail from an out-of-state convention last week because she couldn’t concentrate on a speaker, thanks to a guy sitting in front of her who continually tried to pluck a hair out of his ear. “He wasn’t too discreet to those of us sitting behind him,” she said. It was so annoying that she got up and moved.
I can relate. A couple of days later, I tried to listen to a speaker at a big event involving state officials and business expansion opportunities. Unfortunately a guy on the second row kept eating chips so loudly that it was a challenge. A few glares didn’t seem to phase him.
Here’s a simple reminder and plea to all of the personal-device
junkies, eating and body part picker offenders: Be aware of your surroundings and treat people the way you want to be treated.
And to speakers who might have unintentional rude folks in the audience, consider prefacing your remarks by asking event attendees to abstain from using handheld devices or turn phones to vibrate.