I was at a networking event last week. Everyone was crowded out in the hall near the registration table. They started asking people to funnel into the room and I literally bumped into a guy. I don’t remember the name of the company on his name tag but it caught my attention.
“That’s an interesting company, what do you do?”
I forget exactly what he said but it had to do with working with medical facilities such as hospitals, nurses and doctors.
I replied, “That’s interesting. It looks like we have to go into the room and get started. Do you have a business card?”
He came back with, “I only brought a few, so…”
“I understand. I was just interested because you mentioned nurses and my mother has been a nursing supervisor for years.”
“Really, well I think I have a card” as the tone of his voice changed.
“That’s okay you should save it for the event.”
I paused, waited to see if he was going to say anything and got crickets. Then I went in the room.
Was I being a dick? Truthfully, I really wanted him to ask me for a card. I understand that sometimes you don’t bring enough cards. Sometimes you run out. It’s happened to me before. It’s happened to any and everyone that has networked before. What do I do when I run out or short on cards? I make sure to get their card. Then I contact them.
I’m guessing he judged me, for whatever reason, to not be worth a business card. He has every right to do that. I wish I asked him why but that’s another story. What he didn’t realize is that I have a close connection to what sounded to be a perfect prospect for him. He missed one of the biggest lessons of networking.
It’s not always the person you meet it might be who they know.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I could see running out of cards at a networking event, but deciding before you’d even entered the event that you didn’t bring enough? That’s just poor preparation. And then judging you based on nothing? Not someone I’d want to give a lead to anyway…
Jackie´s last blog ..Prom = Big Bucks
Jackie:
Besides the poor planning/preparation, I think it’s important for people that are avid networkers to learn how to handle a situation like this properly. We’re human we make mistakes in planning and preparation and hopefully someone learned what not to do from this post.
“Was I being a dick? Truthfully, I really wanted him to ask me for a card. I understand that sometimes you don’t bring enough cards. Sometimes you run out. It’s happened to me before. It’s happened to any and everyone that has networked before. What do I do when I run out or short on cards? ”
You weren’t being a dick at all. I have ran out of cards before (or brought the wrong one) but who the hell shows up to a networking event without a stack of them! They are 20 bucks for 500.
Evan´s last blog ..Is Home Remodeling Really an Investment? Is Remodeling Worth it?
Evan:
I admit that I’ve made the mistake of not showing up with a stack of cards a few times. I usually keep an extra box in the car but that’s run out before and sometimes I’m in a hurry. We’re all human and we make mistakes. I think it’s more important on how you deal with those mistakes.
Hey CJ, I’m new to Yakezie so hello!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to a client site and witnessed some rudeness or good samaritaness (I made that word up) out on the street, in the elevator, etc. And when the jerk or good samaritan finally ends up in the office, the other person ends up being somebody important! And the earlier action always sets the tone for the meeting.
Car Negotiation Coach´s last blog ..Cash, Credit, or Finance – What will get you the best deal?
Care Negotiation Coach:
It’s funny how things like that happen. Maybe it’s karma, maybe it’s the law of attraction. I guess it’s all depends on what you believe. Great point.
It has always amused me how we are prejudged usually by what we are wearing.
Bad business planning on his part for not having enough cards and bad manners for not asking for yours. Did he sit in his hotel room latter that night kicking himself realizing that he had missed an opportunity? I always tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, he might not have been a jerk, you don’t know what was going on in his life right then.
Maybe you should have just pulled out your card and given it to him. It would have been good Karma and who knows, maybe you lost an opportunity and haven’t realized it yet.
Ingrid@Morestylethancash´s last blog ..Frugal or Greedy – 7 Warning Signs to Look Out For
Ingrid:
I was waiting for someone to say that. That’s my dilemma I guess. Should I have still given him a business card and thus an opportunity. I believe people should get a second chance but he sort of upset me a bit with the way he handled himself.
A valuable lesson. You can often tell someone’s true character by how they treat people from whom they have nothing to gain.
Mike – Saving Money Today´s last blog ..Is Facebook Keeping You Poor?
Mike:
I love that point. Thank you.
Excellent point! I’ve gotten business some from unexpected sources.
Susan:
I think ever success business person can attest to that. I remember when I first started my business. The people I most expected to help, were pretty blah and didn’t go out of their way at all. The people I thought I would mention it to but not expect much were the ones that seemed most excited for me and helpful.
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