Get All Access for $5/mo

Six Tactics To Get Through Networking Events Focus on giving value to others, show interest in someone's business, offer authentic insights and help, and then let rewards flow to you.

By Anisha Sagar

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

If you find networking a daunting prospect, you're not alone. But it really becomes a problem when you're not able to take advantage of some of the opportunities around you. For instance, Fujairah Creative City Free Zone offers you a progressive home for your business, inclusive of some of the UAE's best networking events and opportunities. So, it would be a waste if you were not able to use everything it has to offer.

With that in mind, here are a few simple psychological tactics to develop your social agility:

1. Start small (and increase with confidence)
When consulting entrepreneurs looking to start up in the UAE, we invariably end up talking about the networking opportunities at Fujairah Creative City. However, exciting as it is to take an aggressive approach– forcing your networking is unlikely to bring results if you're not confident in these situations.

So, give yourself a small and attainable networking goal for your next event, and increase the bar gradually. If you have just made three contacts– make it four next time. Over time, small improvements will accumulate and turn your business into a powerful networking machine. This compounding formula is revealed in Darren Hardy's The Compound Effect. He puts it this way: "Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = Radical Difference."

2. Practice networking in-house
Networking professionals display a calm, confident, and natural energy. Practicing your opening questions beforehand is an excellent strategy for enhancing confidence and legitimately rewiring your brain to become a better networker. Practically, you're likely to become less stuck for words when approaching someone. It's also less likely you'll shy away from key contacts.

You can create in-house role play scenarios and develop networking and communication skills across your company. How about challenging your employees (and yourself) to create a gamified two-minute elevator pitch with a prize for the best? Role playing changes dynamics into a more interactive and friendly environment- something very useful for developing your skill at breaking the ice.

3. Use the currency of generosity
Powerful networking equals business growth? Potentially, yes. But there is a paradox– most successful entrepreneurs recommend that you actually focus on giving others value rather than trying to actively take it.

Keith Ferrazzi, the CEO of US research and consultancy firm, Ferrazzi Greenlight, says that "the currency of real networking is not greed but generosity," in his New York Times bestselling book, Never Eat Alone. With that in mind, focus on giving value to others, show interest in someone's business, offer authentic insights and help, and then let rewards flow to you.

Giving value makes sense when it comes to building your network. If you import exotic rugs from China to Fujairah, and you're seeking a relationship with a company that has luxury home furnishing shops all over Europe– then you're likely to gain traction by giving your contact helpful advice.

Maybe you can share private research findings, or offer to send some samples. You'll instantly build trust and boost the odds of doing business in the future. As Ferazzi notes: "It's better to give before you receive. And never keep score. If your interactions are ruled by generosity, your rewards will follow suit."

4. Try social media before events
If you're nervous about face-to-face networking, the internet offers you the chance to network remotely via LinkedIn and other channels. Social media has the power to help you interact with people before meeting them in person. This ice breaker method can be useful if you don't like to feel isolated when attending a big networking event.

There are many entrepreneur networking groups in and around Dubai, offering the chance of online interaction. These include Meetup, Startup Grind Dubai, as well as Entrepreneurs Organization, a global entrepreneur community.

5. Embrace diversity when networking
There are big benefits to connecting with a diverse range of people in the business world. In Frans Johansson's book The Medici Effect, he suggests that the best ideas stem from the impact of different industry views.

He highlights the case of Leonardo da Vinci: "The defining Renaissance man and perhaps the greatest intersectionalist of all times, believed that in order to fully understand something, one needed to view it from at least three different perspectives."

In practical terms, this means you need to analyze your networking biases, seek out new types of people, and consider the potential of different ideas. Johansson suggests that getting out of your comfort zone can create "intersectional innovations," which can transform your business with ideas that you would never have come up with without new perspectives. Where would Apple's typography be without Steve Jobs taking a random calligraphy course?

6. Network with mindful authenticity
Mindfulness is a legitimate business tool that can positively affect organizational behavior, emotions, performance, and relationships. This makes practices such as pre-networking meditation potentially very useful.

It's a way to be calmer when working a room, and more able to use the inspiration and ideas gleaned from an event when back in the office. A quieter mind will also keep you on track with things such as networking accountability and avoiding negative chatter.

Last but not least, being authentic is essential when networking– be honest, be real, and take the true DNA of your brand out into the world.

Related: Why The Business World Needs Both Extroverts And Introverts

Anisha Sagar

Head Of Marketing Communications, Meydan Free Zone

Anisha Sagar is the driving force behind marketing and communications at Meydan Free Zone. A highly experienced strategist, she excels in general marketing, loyalty programs, strategic partnerships, and operational efficiency, with a track record in boosting revenue at the various companies she has worked for. Anisha’s skillset is comprehensive, backed by a bachelor’s in technology, an MBA in strategy and project management, and certifications in digital marketing, influence and negotiation, and martech. Her visionary approach led to the creation and execution of a 360-degree marketing strategy for Meydan Free Zone, focusing on brand visibility, market penetration, and customer engagement. This involved developing a robust framework for branding and marketing initiatives backed by in-depth market research, compelling sales materials, and effective advertising.

Leadership

Should I Stay or Should I Go? 8 Key Points to Navigate the Founder's Dilemma

Here are eight key signs that help founders determine whether to persevere or let go.

Leadership

V3 Gourmet President And CEO Taha Bouqdib On His Journey Reviving The Now 114-Year-Old Bacha Coffee Brand

"I know that Bacha Coffee is a concept that can catch on very quickly; however, I am also equally obsessed with choosing prime retail locations for the brand, to ensure that from the start, Bacha Coffee is a destination, not just another coffee brand on the street."

Growing a Business

How to Be a Human Lie Detector (Infographic)

Here's how you can learn if someone isn't telling the truth.

Growing a Business

Change Is Hard — But This CEO and President Reveals How It Helped Him Build a Stronger Business and More Resilient Team

Implementing a major change to a business, used to happen once a decade, but with advancements in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, businesses are having to pivot frequently. Here's why it's important to consult with your front line employees.

Thought Leaders

How to Realistically Make Money From Your Passion

Blindly following your passion is a recipe for financial disaster. But if you learn just a little bit about how business and passion fit together in the modern age, you can realistically monetize the things you care about.

Business News

Klarna CEO Says AI Could Help Reduce Company Headcount By 50%

Earlier this year, Klarna claimed its AI assistant does work equivalent to 700 full-time, human customer service agents.