Don't Overlook the Power of Small Talkby Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger 25 May 2007 02:44 PM Think your time is precious and that if you have to chat your way through one more cocktail party or networking event you will scream? If you are trying to build a business, all those opportunities for small talk can actually result in an increased profit margin and a fatter bottom line. Small talk can really yield big results... Done properly--and that means listening attentively and asking the right questions, you can actually garner quite a bit about a person from a brief, seemingly meaningless conversation. Chatting about the weather, sports, current events, or other typical topics found buzzing around a networking event, child's school activity, or party is really a great way to get to know important things about potential clients and customers. From a brief conversation, you can find out things like hobbies, interests, family status, job (and thus, relative income level), and even some primary values. If you take the time and focus on listening to what is being said (and reading between the lines) you'll find out all sorts of information about people that will help you decide who might be a prospect for your products or services. The purpose of networking is to make connections. This does not just mean gathering a stack of business cards and calling it quits. The more you chat with people, the more you'll be able to make real connections. You'll find out who goes to football or basketball games and who they go with and sit next to, who lives in what neighborhoods, where their kids go to school, whether they play golf, camp, belong to the YMCA or whatever. All of this information will help you to see whether individuals fit into your target market, or whether or not they can connect you to other people who can benefit your business. While this may sound rather cool and calculated, it really isn't. Social and public events provide you with the opportunity to get to know new people. But, you'll never get to know them if you don't actually listen to what is being said and make the most of those tiny little chats called "small talk." See Also: Nametags and Networking go Hand in Hand Networking With Writers--Share Those Leads Learn more about Kori Rodley Irons  Bio has been removed by administrator Relevanthome business tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags communication, conversation, networking Discuss this article
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