I had a "moment" at a recent networking event which really told me a lot about the person I was talking with and whether I would be recommending his/her services to my clients and contacts; and guess what, it wasn't anything they said, it was what they did.
I was engaged in conversation with this person and his/her (ok, it was a him) his eyes were everywhere. All over the room, and certainly not looking at me. Now I know I can go on a bit, but manners doesn't cost anything (as my mum used to say) and politeness would have had him paying attention to me.
However, I ignored this rudeness and carried on by asking him a question about his business, only to be given a one word answer.
At this point I was about ready to make my excuses but he then asked me a question which I was only too happy to answer and began my response. However 10 seconds into this, he looked right over my shoulder towards someone who had just walked into the room. Without waiting for me to finish my answer to "his" question, he simply stepped passed me and went to greet the newcomer.
Now it might have been that he was eagerly waiting for the arrival of this person, but whether or not he was, that is no way to network. that is no way to conduct oneself, and it is no way to be.
I'm not angry. It saddens me that these "serial" networkers turn up at event after event and still don't get it.
I'd love to sit in a room with these people and suggest an alternative way which would bring them much better results and they would enjoy themselves more.
Their choice I guess?
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