10 Practical tips for making the most of all the opportunities you'll have to connect at HR West '13 and any other conference or event you attend in the future! @sandyjk belladomain.com #hrwestconf #networking

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Cultivating Connections
at HR West 2013
and Beyond
By Sandy Jones-Kaminski, Author of
I'm at a Networking Event--Now What???
Chief Connecting Officer, Bella Domain Media
@sandyjk
#HRWestConf

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Little known fact about me:
@sandyjk
#HRWestConf

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• Put the mobile device(s) awayPut the mobile device(s) away
• Don’t wait for others to initiate conversationsDon’t wait for others to initiate conversations
• Make yourself accessibleMake yourself accessible
#1Take a proactive approachTake a proactive approach

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• Get comfortable with smiling in publicGet comfortable with smiling in public
• Offer a firm handshake (not limp) and intro yourselfOffer a firm handshake (not limp) and intro yourself
• Open conversations with common ground:Open conversations with common ground:
“So what brings you to OHUG this year?”
• Ask easy-to-answer questions:Ask easy-to-answer questions:
““So, Lisa, what are you working on these days?”So, Lisa, what are you working on these days?”
““Is there anything you need help with right now?”Is there anything you need help with right now?”
#2 Make a graceful entrance

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• Leave the negative attitude behindLeave the negative attitude behind
• Be friendly, approachable and curiousBe friendly, approachable and curious
• Try a pay it forward approachTry a pay it forward approach
"It's not whether you get knocked down;
it's whether you get back up."
- Vince Lombardi
#3 Improve your outlook, and your
ability to connect will change

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Be polite and considerate
•• Be open, noncompetitive and socialBe open, noncompetitive and social
•• Be present and mindfulBe present and mindful
•• Don’t be guilty of the “name-tag scan”Don’t be guilty of the “name-tag scan”
#4
”Giving connects two people,
the giver and the receiver, and this
connection gives birth to a new sense
of belonging."
- Deepak Chopra

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#5
Being relaxed is good, but useBeing relaxed is good, but use
caution and avoid being an attendeecaution and avoid being an attendee
remembered solely for getting theirremembered solely for getting their
““buzz on.”buzz on.”
Keep the alcohol consumptionKeep the alcohol consumption
to a minimum if it's being servedto a minimum if it's being served

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#6
8
Be the person to include
others in the conversation
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming
interested in other people than you can in two years by
trying to get other people interested in you."
• Smile to those approaching your groupSmile to those approaching your group
• Take 2-seconds to say, “Please join us.”Take 2-seconds to say, “Please join us.”
• Offer some context to the newcomerOffer some context to the newcomer

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#7
• Have biz cards + pen handy
• Replenish card stash each morning
• Ask others for their card
• Make notes on their card*
* Especially if he or she mentions a
challenge with which you’d like to help
Business cards and a pen:
your conference best friends

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#8
““Well, Dave, I enjoyed hearing about your business,Well, Dave, I enjoyed hearing about your business,
(or work or goals, or history with SHRM, etc.)(or work or goals, or history with SHRM, etc.)
but I need to find the restroom,but I need to find the restroom,
(or my colleague or event host, etc.)(or my colleague or event host, etc.)
and I’ll keep your card handy should I think of any ideasand I’ll keep your card handy should I think of any ideas
(or resources or prospects, etc.)(or resources or prospects, etc.)
for your project.”for your project.”
(or search or services, etc.)(or search or services, etc.)
Make a graceful exitMake a graceful exit

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#9Be sincere and follow through
on your commitments
•• Follow-up is key toFollow-up is key to
new opportunitiesnew opportunities
•• Fulfill your promisesFulfill your promises
to fellow attendeesto fellow attendees
•• Water the seedsWater the seeds
you just plantedyou just planted

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#10 Don't take
networking
too seriously
•Focus on helping others first
• Think about what you can bring
to the table*
* helpful contacts, knowledge, resources
• Have fun!

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Thank you!
(415) 613-8508
sandy@belladomain.com
linkedin.com/in/sandyjk
facebook.com/NetworkingKnowHow
@sandyjk
belladomain.com
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Sandy Jones-Kaminski