By David J.P. Fisher

One of the secrets to business networking and building relationships is to become an expert at asking questions. This is especially true when you are first finding out about someone's business. You want to become a detective and really dig into what's going on in their professional life - because then you can find areas of opportunity where you can help them.

Have you been in this situation? You're in between conversations at a networking event and you see a solitary figure standing waiting for someone to talk to them. Like the good Samaritan you are, you walk over and start chatting, only to find them a thundering bore whose idea of a good conversation is a detailed description of their dog's recent operation. Or a guy in a pinstripe suit trying to sell you financial services. Or someone raving about how amazing their first day in China is. You get the picture.

You really need to get out of the conversation. But how can you do it without looking like you're running away? Here are six techniques that'll get you out of the conversation and save your sanity in no time flat.

If you're like most people, one of your biggest fears when you just start out networking is not knowing what to talk about when you meet someone. I know that was the case for me. I'd worry about having nothing interesting to say and become anxious about "drying up."

Then I realised: how much you say is not so important when networking. The biggest part of socialising with other people is listening. When it comes down to it, people love to talk about a topic with which they are intimately familar -- themselves. All you have to do is shut up and listen. At the end of the day they'll remember you as being really interesting.