Navigating the Professional “Other”
How many times have you been invited to, or considered attending, a professional event and seen opportunities for those in the technology, legal, financial, medical, and hospitality sectors? Probably many times.
Has the event title or targeted audience ever kept you from attending? I hope not, because I’m here to tell you that you should be in those rooms.
It’s easy to feel like you’re on an island, but being the professional “other” is an advantage. It forces you to think outside the box and find unique ways to connect. Remember, many events have a targeted audience, meaning that is who they prefer to attend, but anyone is welcome. If you see a speaker you are interested in hearing from or a certain topic you want to learn more about, sign up and attend the event.
As a consultant who works in the end-of-life industry and is involved with many organizations, I often find myself as the only #funeraldirector in the room—the sole representative. I see this as an advantage rather than a hurdle. It allows me to establish new relationships, think about fresh ways to connect and provide support, and of course, it inevitably leads to many interesting questions.
Here are 5 things to keep in mind as you begin or expand upon your networking journey:
ALWAYS HAVE BUSINESS CARDS (yes, I’m shouting this as I type).
Let others talk about their businesses first. I know you may be excited to share what you do, but listening to others allows you to develop a strategic approach to your introduction.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions—you never know where the answers will lead.
The hardest thing you will do is walk through the door - all you can do after that is connect.
Find a mentor or trusted advisor to brainstorm with or bounce ideas off.
