Feature
Issue No. 29 - June/July 2006
Golden opportunity to conquer fear
in-business Gold Pages in conjunction with SA Great members got an unexpected and outrageous treat at our recent networking function.
Coup de Theatre, a crossover training group specialising in skilling executives in presentation, gave some thought-provoking instruction on how to ‘work a room’ and efficiently create valuable business contacts.
Jonathan Mills, a journeyman actor and prime mover in Coup, shared insight on how to retain composure under pressure, think creatively, take positive, clear action when required and influence people.
In social milieux, Jonathan explained, fall into three classes — concept, action and relationship. Concept people want to exchange ideas, action people want instant results and relationship people seek friendship.
Good networking involves understanding what type you are dealing with, engaging them to make your presence known, then disengaging to move on and build more contacts.
Concept people can be apprehensive and hard to approach. Open conversation at the ideas level. Engage, but don’t get too close. Ask for a business card.
Action people can appear pushy and arrogant - they want to meet as many people as possible in a short time. Converse about results and goals and discuss their achievements to engage their attention. Remind them to give you a business card.
Relationship people can appear ‘clingy’ and may have trouble talking to more than one person per sess...
