jhpark24601
in
intj
Business networking
Hi INTJs,
I'm hoping there are a few other business professionals out there who find themselves needing to network to drum up new business. I've decided to start my own company for computer consulting (data warehousing, business intelligence, performance management, scorecards/dashboards, Oracle performance tuning, particularly in relation to sales/marketing, consumer packaged goods, and probably pharmaceuticals, though I have minimal work with them to this point--if any of those phrases means anything to you) after working for a consulting company for several years.
I've also decided to try to take recruiters & other consulting companies out of the picture, and attempt to drum up business on my own. From what I've read and been told, networking is the way to do that. I'm planning ot attend a couple events in the near future where it looks like sales types will be, and I'm looking for some advice on how to start talking about business topics. I am no good at small talk unless it's something I'm interested in -- can I just jump into questions like, so are you using the balanced scorecard methodology to manage your sales strategy, or are you doing something else? Or should I try to make nice conversation about something generic, like Philly sports teams, which will usually serve to build at least a couple minutes of rapport...?
I'd really rather just jump into the business questions, but I don't know if that's seen as pushy. My guess is that if I phrase it in a "i'm curious about what you guys do" and not immediately as "I work in this field, do you guys do anything related to it", that might help...?
I'm going to find a book or two on the topic, but thought I'd ask here and see what people think.
I should probably try to find a sales group and ask there, as there will probably be more extraverts and experienced people who can give advice that doesn't come from misanthropes like me (yes, i know, not all of us are really misanthropes, but it's so much easier that way :) )
Thanks,
James
I'm hoping there are a few other business professionals out there who find themselves needing to network to drum up new business. I've decided to start my own company for computer consulting (data warehousing, business intelligence, performance management, scorecards/dashboards, Oracle performance tuning, particularly in relation to sales/marketing, consumer packaged goods, and probably pharmaceuticals, though I have minimal work with them to this point--if any of those phrases means anything to you) after working for a consulting company for several years.
I've also decided to try to take recruiters & other consulting companies out of the picture, and attempt to drum up business on my own. From what I've read and been told, networking is the way to do that. I'm planning ot attend a couple events in the near future where it looks like sales types will be, and I'm looking for some advice on how to start talking about business topics. I am no good at small talk unless it's something I'm interested in -- can I just jump into questions like, so are you using the balanced scorecard methodology to manage your sales strategy, or are you doing something else? Or should I try to make nice conversation about something generic, like Philly sports teams, which will usually serve to build at least a couple minutes of rapport...?
I'd really rather just jump into the business questions, but I don't know if that's seen as pushy. My guess is that if I phrase it in a "i'm curious about what you guys do" and not immediately as "I work in this field, do you guys do anything related to it", that might help...?
I'm going to find a book or two on the topic, but thought I'd ask here and see what people think.
I should probably try to find a sales group and ask there, as there will probably be more extraverts and experienced people who can give advice that doesn't come from misanthropes like me (yes, i know, not all of us are really misanthropes, but it's so much easier that way :) )
Thanks,
James