Do You Have a Minute? - part 1

How quickly can you establish the basis for a friendly business relationship? It only takes a minute!

I met John at a networking event. He had a wide smile, friendly eyes and in a flash our conversation was off and running. We chatted about his work, my work, some career changes we've both been through. We even talked about how hard it is to remember someone's name when you hear it just once, with all the hubbub of a mixer going on around you. That allowed us to remind each other of our names. All in all, it was a delightful conversation, and it only took a few moments to get started.

Contrast that with Edward, someone I already know. His stiff posture, inexpressive face and very quiet voice gave away his mind-set--"I know I should be here, but I wish I wasn't." For anyone who didn't know him, it would only take a few moments to decide to walk away.

Even if you feel uncomfortable and you're wishing you were someplace else, if you're there, be there with enthusiasm. When genuine enthusiasm is missing, pretend! What's truly amazing is that once you've used your pretend enthusiasm to meet a couple of people, you'll start to feel the real thing. Then you will find that to get an enjoyable conversation going, it only takes a minute!