Networking 101 - Beware of Information Overload

THE POWER OF NETWORKING

PART 111

Beware of Information Overload

By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. May  2009

With the introduction of the internet we are exposed and even subjected, against our will, to a huge amount of information.

Gone are the days when we had to traipse off to the local library to do research, having to haul down dusty books that we hoped would have the necessary information that we needed.  Nowadays, with a click of a mouse, we have all the information that we need and then some.  Information in great abundance.

Abundance of information, is now becoming a problem.  You see most of us suffer from ‘Information Overload’.

So why am I bringing all of this up in an article about Networking?  Well it is really quite simple.  Some people who attend Networking meetings, try to get everything that they do into their 30 second pitch.  The result of this is that at the end of the meeting, the most that will be remembered is that person XZM had a huge amount to say.  What they were actually talking about is often not heard at all.

In this case – less is actually more.

If you have or wear several hats in business, rather pick one or two or at a push three issues or areas of expertise and then talk about these clearly and concisely.

Remember you are not communicating on a ‘one on one’ with someone who will actually refer you, but rather a group of people who don’t know you and who you need to ignite a spark of interest in.  Once interested in what you have to say, they will seek you out and then that is when you arrange for a ‘one on one’ meeting and at that meeting is where you share, in greater detail, what it is that you do.  Don’t forget to return the favour though – you need to listen carefully to what it is that they do to.

At the start though, remember – less is more, be clear in what you say, keep it short but make it memorable.

Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za  or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za