Networking 101 - Make loads of notes

Networking 101 - Make loads of notes

By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting (Pty) Ltd

Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:

“Write notes and reminders on the business cards, which will over time, jog your memory.”

Well I don’t know about you, but I am really bad with names and faces.  I have been like that all of my life – ironically though I can remember what the US$ rate was in 1977 (it was 1.12 with the Rand being the stronger), but when it comes to names and faces – well they just escape me.  I no longer apologise, it is not meant disrespectfully – some times things just are what they are.

So as you can imagine, I really have to work hard at trying to remember who is who, when I meet a whole bunch of people at a networking event!  As soon as is practical, I make notes on the actual card as to what they do and what I want to talk to them about when I meet them, I also make a note of which event I met them at so that when I phone and remind them who I am I can use the name of the event as clarification.  Often I can hear on the phone, that they can not quite place me and then when I mention the name of the event, they suddenly remember – it works all the time.

When I load the contacts onto my database, I make notes again of where I met the individual and what it is that they do (often the card does not give any kind of indication of what it is that the person does, especially if they are consultants), so that when I meet with them I have a broad kind of understanding about what it is that they do.

Keep your notes up to date and keep your data base up to date too, for the best results and to reap the highest value from  it.

For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.drrenatevolpe.co.za

Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za