Networking 101 – Focus is Key

 Networking 101 – Focus is Key 

By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting (Pty) Ltd

Don’t you just hate it when people are talking to you and they look everywhere except at you?

It’s like the guy who chats to the ladies whilst clearly focused on their cleavage!

Apart from the fact that it is really rude, it’s also very distracting.  It makes me feel like I’m missing something, which usually means that I also have to have a look at whatever the other person is looking at.  Usually, that means that I am doing the “rubbernecking” thing to look at whatever it is that they are looking at and often I really don’t “get it”.  The result of course is that I lose focus – they never really had any focus and frustration sets in!

So what’s the point of going to a networking event if you cannot focus on what you are doing?  In fact, what’s the point in talking to anyone, if you can’t focus on either what you are saying or what they are saying?

Be sure to focus on the person that you are speaking to – give them your full attention.  You are bound to reap the rewards in the long run.

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