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.
By Andrew LawEnter Alex Cureton-Griffiths, a twenty-six year old expat, who on first meeting cuts an unassuming figure but is one of the growing army of foreign entrepreneurs looking to make it big in Shanghai. Alex originally hails from Shropshire, England but prior to Shanghai his most recent home was in New Zealand where his family moved in 1996.
His entrepreneurial spirit comes as no accident since his grandfather was an entrepreneur who established a farm feed company, and more recently his father who set up a petrol station.
Even with this solid background, Alex is an unlikely entrepreneur given that he was an incredibly shy child who often feared meeting visitors at the family home. A conscious decision to overcome his shyness resulted in him conquering the handicap and this experience has assisted him in coaching others in overcoming their fears in his specialty -- networking.
Champagne is the wine of celebration,
launching thousands of ships, used to toast millions of weddings and
special occasions and marked along some of the most luxurious products
and brands in the world. There is no season for Champagne as there may
be for other wines, whites in the summer and reds for a cold winter's
night. A glass or two of bubbles can seal a business deal worth millions,
welcome in a newborn into the world, or even respect those that have
been lost but not forgotten.
But when you ask for Champagne, what
is it you are getting and indeed how do you approach to use and enjoy
such an esteemed drink?
Handing out cards is a simple, quick and efficient way of giving people your contact details. Or a simple, quick and efficient way of getting people to never want to speak to you again. Surprised? It all depends on how you go about it. Make sure you're not one of these people:
The card dealer
If we wanted to see how quickly someone could throw cards around, we'd catch a plane to Macau and hit the casinos. Networking isn't a game where whoever has the least cards wins. Just the opposite in fact -- those who go throwing cards left, right and center at people they barely know drive us up the wall. It makes them look arrogant, expecting we'll be so interested in their business that a card is all we need, as opposed to actual conversation.
Enter Alex Cureton-Griffiths, a twenty-six year old expat, who on first meeting cuts an unassuming figure but is one of the growing army of foreign entrepreneurs looking to make it big in Shanghai. Alex originally hails from Shropshire, England but prior to Shanghai his most recent home was in New Zealand where his family moved in 1996.
Champagne is the wine of celebration,
launching thousands of ships, used to toast millions of weddings and
special occasions and marked along some of the most luxurious products
and brands in the world. There is no season for Champagne as there may
be for other wines, whites in the summer and reds for a cold winter's
night. A glass or two of bubbles can seal a business deal worth millions,
welcome in a newborn into the world, or even respect those that have
been lost but not forgotten.
Handing out cards is a simple, quick and efficient way of giving people your contact details. Or a simple, quick and efficient way of getting people to never want to speak to you again. Surprised? It all depends on how you go about it. Make sure you're not one of these people: