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NETWORKING: SMALL TALK SKILLS
There’s no two ways about it: networking can be daunting. One of the biggest fears
people have when networking is striking up a conversation with a stranger.
I
van Wanis Ruiz, a teacher with Dale
Carnegie Training, leads webinars and
workshops to help OCA members
become excellent communicators,
presenters and networkers.
be to do most of the listening in a
conversation. Many people are worried
about coming up with something to say,
but it is far more useful to have a wideranging set of questions at your disposal.
He often asks people about the things
they hate about networking—and about
their best networking experiences.
The things we hate about networking
are pretty common. Most people find
small talk difficult and have trouble
remembering people’s names.
Rather than memorizing a list of
questions, you can use a conversation
stack. This is a mental image which
reminds you of topics to ask about.
The conversation stack Ivan suggests
is a complex image, but it is possible to
memorize and use when making small
talk. Visualize it now:
Our best networking experiences reveal
some key themes which may help
you learn to engage strangers more
effectively. When describing their best
experiences, people often tell a story
about someone who was genuinely
interested in their life or who went out
of their way to help them for no reason.
Dale Carnegie Training teaches that
we should speak in terms of the other
person’s interests, and these stories
reveal how impactful this approach can
be. When someone genuinely engages
with the most important aspects of our
lives, and especially when they help us
move closer to our goals, they make a
positive and memorable impression.
Dale Carnegie Training also teaches
that our goal in networking should
Imagine you’re on a lawn. There’s a brass
name plate on the lawn. Behind that,
there’s a house. It’s a gorgeous house—
your dream house. In the window, there’s
a family. One of the members of the
family is wearing a work glove. Above
the house is an airplane. On one wing of
the airplane is a tennis racket, and on the
other wing is a goal post.
By memorizing this image, you can
remind yourself to ask about the
following topics:
∞∞ Brass name plate: The person’s name;
∞∞ House and family: Their
neighbourhood, their family, and
their pets (a topic which definitely
gets pet owners talking!);
Networking: Getting Ahead By Putting Others First
Marketing and Promotion
This positive approach to networking from Dale
Carnegie Training will enable you to build confidence
and credibility, communicate your value and establish
profitable connections.
∞∞ The work glove: Their occupation;
∞∞ The airplane: Where they have lived
or travelled;
∞∞ The tennis racquet: What they do in
their free time;
∞∞ The goal post: What brought them to
the event where you are meeting them
and what they hope to accomplish.
With this conversation stack, you always
have a wide variety of potential topics
in your back pocket. This will make it
easier to quickly find common ground
with strangers, whether it’s a shared
love for Golden Retrievers, a professor
you both enjoyed or a favourite spot to
camp in Algonquin Park.
When you are listening, consider
whether there is some small way you
can help them accomplish one of their
goals or whether you can introduce
them to a person or a resource that
could help them. This conversational
stance will help you remain focused on
them and will reveal opportunities to
make a memorable impression.
To learn more about how to improve
your skills in communication, networking
and presenting, you can watch an OCA
webinar or attend an OCA workshop
with Dale Carnegie Training.
Communication Strategies for Chiropractors
Waterloo & Ottawa
This workshop will introduce you to
actionable tips and communication
strategies to help you put your best foot
forward.
www.chiropractic.on.ca
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