Sunday, October 4, 2009

Business Networking Skills - Five Social Skills Tips That Are Key For Networking Success

Networking skills are an absolute must for people who wants to grow their business. And the key is the word "skills."

Networking requires specific skills, and many of them are basically social skills. Read on for how you can improve your networking success by polishing your social skills.

Social skills help us connect with others, and that's what we need to do during networking. Some of them are mostly a matter of awareness and paying attention, while others take real practice.

Either way, the more often you do something, the more it will become second nature. So make an effort to do the following five things regularly, and watch the results you'll get.

1. Remember to say "please" and especially "thank you."

Saying "please" and "thank you" may be so basic that you don't think it even falls under social skill but instead is common courtesy. Be that as it may, courtesy is so important that it deserves to be listed here, and it's a large part of what makes up good social skills.

2. Make proper eye contact

Making eye contact frequently and appropriately can make the difference between coming across as likable -- and not. Look at the person when you're speaking with him or her, but without staring, and pay close attention.

Even if you're one of those people who actually can pay attention when they seem to be preoccupied with other things, maintaining eye contact will be worth your while. Don't just pay attention, but make sure the other person knows that you're paying attention. And eye contact is the traditional way to show it.

3. Repeat the other person's name

In a conversation, be sure to repeat the other person's name. It will make them feel very much acknowledged. It will also help you remember their name. There are a lot of quotes about how much people love the sound of their own name. The thing is - it's true.

4. Support others

Whenever you find yourself talking with someone, pay close attention. That's true especially if that person is new and possibly a prospect, but it's common courtesy in any case. Listen with an open mind, and look for ways in which you can help him or her.

5. Repeat something they've said recently

When you've had a conversation with someone and talk to them again, repeat something they've said. Ask them about something specific to follow up. It shows them that you paid close attention, and they will appreciate that.

By : Sue_Clement

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