"The foundation of networking lies in a genuine interest in others."

In a recent article for the Boston Herald, Kolina Kirham and Ami Milano discuss how to successfully network.  Here are few key points from their article:

Set goals before an event, such as how many people you'll make contact with.

Be approachable, positive, professional, and polite.

Be consistent in your behavior: treat everyone equally, regardless of whether they could become a helpful connection.

"Listen more than you speak and always be an active listener."

Pay attention to your body language, as well as your drink (one alcoholic beverage is a good rule of thumb).

Respect the personal space of others by leaving about a foot and half of space between you

Approach the host, speakers, CEO's, etc. ("people who tend to be the center of attention") first. If you're not able to have a one-on-one conversation with them at first, try joining the small crowd around them and then joining the conversation at an appropriate time.

After you've talked to the host, speakers, etc., approach someone who is by him/herself and ask about his/her business.  "This may be the first networking experience for this individual – a perfect opportunity for you to make a friendly and lasting impression."

Maintain eye contact and of course, smile!

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For Kirham and Milano's full article: "Genuine networking makes for real deal connections"

Image: Microsoft Word