Do You Know Who You're Talking To?

Know Who You’re Talking To

Sooooo, I’m in networking mode again. I took a break to actually DO some of the things I thought about and planned. One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that people have ideas, talk about them and then talk about them some more. You check back with them (sometimes years later) and they’re still talking about the same ideas. I refuse to be one of those people. I did some stuff.

Now, I’m running into this thing issue where people are not taking the time out to know who they’re talking to. They are so self absorbed that they never research anyone beforehand. Let’s say you are at a get together and you’re talking to someone, you discover you have the same ideas and/or goals and you exchange business cards. You call the person the next day to set up a time when you can meet and talk a little more. You meet them and as you begin to talk you realize that the person is not who you thought they were and now you want out. This happens usually because there was a missed step. Before the phone call the next day there should have been a search. On the business card is their website, business name etc. You never looked them up. On the other hand, let’s say you have been doing pretty well at selling your scented candles and you were looking to expand your network. You meet someone at a function, exchange cards and you go home. The next day you jump online and research the person’s website and online presence etc. Everything looks good. You give them a call and set up a meeting. Well, they seemed professional enough and you assumed they checked you out as well. You meet and the conversation takes weird turn that lets you know, they don’t know who you are. “How are you going to get people to buy your product if no one knows who you are?” Nooooo…..YOU don’t know who I am.

I have never met up with someone who has given me a business card and I didn’t check it out FIRST. It is something you learn in high school or in job search workshops. It’s one of the basic steps in building your company. Research the company, client, or potential investor BEFORE you meet with them. Just because you have made it to a certain point in your career does not mean that no one is above you. You still have to do your research.

THE END