Tag Archives: first impressions

Shake Well Before Schmoozing!

By Phil Stella | Published: September 1, 2014

You can begin making the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet at a networking event with a winning smile and good eye contact. Then, continue that positive image with a comfortable handshake … and shake well before schmoozing!: Read More »

Your Winning Smile

By Phil Stella | Published: June 3, 2014

Grandma was right. You do only get one chance to make a good first impression. When you’re networking, one goal should always be to make the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet. Often that first impression begins with your smile.

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Don’t be a Card Shark!

By Phil Stella | Published: April 2, 2014

Regular readers realize the mission-critical value of effective, efficient and compelling networking. Properly done, it can result in easily learning important information to help you do your jobs better or find better jobs or grow your businesses. It can sometimes even lead to creating new mutually beneficial business relationships.
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How Good is Your Greeting?

By Phil Stella | Published: December 1, 2013

Talk about making a first impressions! Often, the first exposures your customers and prospects have of your business is what they hear on your voice mail greeting. Is it caller-centric, clear, focused, helpful and professional? When was the last time you heard it or changed it?
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Permission to Avoid ‘Networking Slug Behavior’

By Phil Stella | Published: September 1, 2013

Has this ever happened to you? You’re at a networking event and meet someone who really turns you off quickly. A classic example of negative first impression. It’s even worse if you’re seated next to that person for the lunch.

This is an example of what I call NSB – ‘Networking Slug Behavior’. Amateurs can earn this unsavory designation for different reasons, but mostly because they don’t practice the simple art of ‘Permission Marketing’. Here are five Best Practices that you’ll see Networking Pros regularly doing to avoid that title. And you have permission to use them. Read More »

Elevator Speech Follow Up

By Phil Stella | Published: March 1, 2013

You just returned from a networking event, having delivered a concise, engaging and listener-centric Elevator Speech to Tony. You continued that brief conversation, began a potentially new business relationship and learned more about what Tony does. You exchanged cards, shook hands and moved on to meet someone else.  Now … what do you do?

Here are a few follow up and relationship maintenance Best Practices learned from those people on the Varsity Networking Team. They can reinforce the positive first impression you made on Tony and help you establish a mutually beneficial networking relationship with him.

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Network With A Comfortable Handshake

By Phil Stella | Published: January 1, 2013

When you’re networking, begin making the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet with a winning smile and good eye contact. Then, continue that positive image with a comfortable handshake.

  • As you introduce yourself, shake hands briefly and energetically. Firm but painless is the key. An energetic handshake suggests an energetic person. A wimpy handshake suggests … well, you get the picture.

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I’ve Given my Elevator Speech … Now What?

By Phil Stella | Published: November 1, 2012

Has this ever happened to you? You’re networking at a COSE or other professional association event and you’ve just delivered a concise, engaging and listener-centric Elevator Speech to Maria. Good for you! Now, what do you do?

You have several options to continue the conversation, enhance a potentially beneficial new business relationship and learn more about Maria. Here are a few Best Practices I’ve learned from some colleagues or clients who are on the Varsity Networking Team:

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