The Following Article was Published in Cascade Arts & Entertainment, June 2001

"Networking Wisely, Part 2"

By Ann Golden Eglé, PCC , CPCC Of Golden Visions Success Coaching

Let’s face it, other than for a very few of us, the concept of walking boldly and confidently into a networking event is a bit of a challenge. In a survey that I took at a recent event I found that many people would rather do just about anything than network!

Where is the challenge? Creating the time to attend, in an already overloaded schedule is one forbidding aspect, then there is the ‘what do I do once I get there’ piece. Or, as some of my clients put it "Oh no, I have to go out and promote myself in person…no, no, anything but that!"

This is the second in a three part series on Networking Wisely to promote our business. Our first focus was to ‘carefully select which events to attend’.

This second piece is to discover more about ‘who we are’ when networking. Knowing ourselves better will increase our level of both ease and confidence, thus allowing us to more easily make that lasting impression on our prospects. This piece involves paying close attention to how we present ourselves during the event.

Most of us can easily recall uncomfortable networking interactions with individuals that were too rushed, nervous or distracted to tell us anything about their businesses. Or, when they did, it came off in a less than polished manner.

Why is this person here, we might ask? Why are they in the profession that they have chosen if they are not eager to share it with me? Where is their passion? Ah-ha—passion!

Passionate people have put great thought into what they do professionally and care deeply about the results that they produce for both their clients and for their families.

They are excited about who they are with respect to their chosen field and do all that they can do to stay ahead of their game! These are the people who can’t help but attract business wherever they go!

Passion is the key in building our confidence in order to make each networking event not only more enjoyable, but far more profitable!

If this concept of ‘passion’ with respect to your work is a tough one to comprehend, ask yourself, "What is it about me that makes people want to learn more about my product or service? Why do they hire me in the first place? What product or service do I alone produce for my clients? How is what I offer different from the rest? How have I educated or prepared myself to be the best at what I do?"

Passion is the ‘who’ of ‘who we are’ in any situation and where the magic can and will occur in networking! Allow your passion to flow when selecting an event to attend, when driving to the event, walking through the door and introducing yourself. Let the magic begin!

Ann Golden Eglé, PCC, CPCC, owner of Golden Visions Success Coaching, LLC, is a motivational coach and coach’s executives and entrepreneurs throughout North America. She can be reached at 541-385-8887 or coachann@goldenvisionscoaching.com

Reprinted with Permission of the Cascade Business News, June 19, 2001




The Emotionally Intelligent Leader Dec 17, 2008

Savvy vs. Struggling Leader Nov 19, 2008

Chill, Baby, Chill... August 17, 2005

Lonely at the Top? Feb 2, 2005

Executive Briefing: A Case study on the Return Investment of Executive Coaching. By Merrill C. Anderson

Coaching What's in it for You? March 2004

Living Life to the Fullest February 2004

Profeshional Coaches: Outside ear can be good sounding board Feb 2004

Will You Soar in 2004? January 2004

Be Bold, Be Brief and Be Gone! August 2003

When to Hire a Coach. February 2003

Extreme Self Care. January 2003

Success Strategy - Listen and Be Heard! November 2002

So You Want to Hire a Coach? February 2002

Lighten Up!! December 2001

Keep That Momentum Going, and Going, and Going... December 2001

Network Wisely. - Phase III July 2001

Network Wisely. - Phase II June 2001

Move Out of Your Comfort Zone. June 2001

The Wisdom of Networking. May 2001

Want Changes? They are Easier Than You Think. January 2001

Hold on to Your Power Girls. August 2000

Balance Your Way to Health and Success. October 1999

What do Women Really Want? August 1999

Have You Hugged Your Realtor Today? June 1999

Words to Eliminate to Succeed in Business. May 1999

What is Your Bigger Game? March 1999

New Years Resolution or Permanent Changes? Jan 1999
to be golden, click here.