When you go to a business conference, you try to make the most of every opportunity - to make new contacts, expand your knowledge and tell others about your company. However, there are some common mistakes that can get in the way of achieving these goals.
1. Attending a Conference Unprepared
Arriving at a conference without a clear objective, a plan of action or a strategic vision of how the event can positively impact your business is one of the most common mistakes. We invite you to read our previous articles - How to prepare effectively for a business conference: Why go to the event? and 5 practical tips for valuable information on how to best prepare for a conference.
2. Losing focus on networking
Focusing too much on yourself - If you only talk about your business and show no interest in others, it doesn't make for an interesting conversation. Networking is about building relationships.
Talking only to people you know - If you only hang out with people you know, you lose the opportunity to really network. Get out of your comfort zone and go meet new people.
3. Using an overly pushy sales approach
While it is understandable that you want to promote your company, an overly aggressive sales approach will have the opposite effect. A conference is a place to build relationships, not to close business deals. We therefore recommend:
Listen more - Understand what your interlocutors are doing, what their needs are and what their challenges are.
Offer your help - Build a closer relationship with newly introduced BNI members by offering your support in line with the Givers Gain philosophy.
Avoid negative conversations - Negative energy can discourage potential business partners from developing further relationships with you.
4. Missing networking sessions and other activities
To make the most of the conference, it is essential to participate in the organised activities and networking sessions. This is your chance to show that you want to make new contacts, be proactive and show initiative to keep your company growing.
Networking and other activities during the conference - Study the agenda and find out what activities will be organised and how you can participate. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity!
Expo stands - Discover new products, services and see how other exhibitors are presenting themselves. There will be lots of interesting conversations and opportunities for future collaborations.
Social networks - We encourage you to share moments and pictures with your newly established contacts on social media. Highlighting your participation in the conference and connecting with others online can enhance your visibility and help you stay connected with the people you meet.
5. Forgeting to schedule time for small brakes
The conference will be full of people, opportunities, networking sessions and activities. While it can be tempting to make the most of every moment to get the most value, it's worth remembering to take a break every now and then to catch your breath. You know yourself best and know how you can take a moment to recharge and return to the conference in your best shape. Physical and emotional fatigue can lead to impaired communication skills and thus lost opportunities. Take care of yourself!
Conclusions
Avoiding the common mistakes mentioned in this article will not only improve your experience of attending this conference, but will also contribute to your success in business and life in general. We recommend that you prepare yourself before you go, make the most of all the opportunities available at the conference, but at the same time think about your internal resource capacity and take a break when you need it to be at your best and be able to successfully make new and valuable contacts. In the next article we will tell you more about choosing a networking strategy.
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