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14:28pm Monday 24th September 2012
Take a look at How NOT to Work a Room by Mitchell & Webb (2 min video) then read my blog below. It will take you 5 mins during which you can have a laugh and learn how NOT to work a room! Less...
I just love watching Mitchell & Webb You Tube videos, in just 2.03 mins they cover a whole bundle of issues when it comes to working a room, including:
So come on then, own up, have you ever made any of these mistakes?
How to break into a group:
Well of course the scene is set up for Mitchell to walk straight into the group and so that we get the best camera shot. But the reality is the same for you and me. There is only one way to break into a group - just make eye contact with one person and join in with confidence. As the group wasn’t talking when Mitchell joined them, he is quite at liberty to start a conversation. But is the real question, 'How do I break into a group' or “How do I know which group to join"? See my eBook – How to Work a Room for more practical details.
How to open up a conversation:
When he first joined the group Mitchell opened up with how difficult it was parking his car and (so that he can say he is a brain surgeon) and then he asks what do they do to earn their crust. His first opener is a generic, safe starter, which would easily include the weather (only Brits do this by the way) and transport. Easy small talk – BUT the problem with this starter is that often it can’t go any further and may leave you struggling for the next link to a wider conversation.
His second opener, “How do you earn a crust?”, is perhaps one of the most used openers of all times, normally asked as, “So, what do you do for a living?”. It is a good opener; it's safe and does allow the conversation to go down a more meaningful route. BUT the problem with this opener is that some people take liberties and launch into their 60 second pitch. There is a time and place to do your elevator pitch. We believe you should focus on creating a conversation first. If you want to learn how to do an elevator pitch for free follow this link: Free Elevator Pitches
How to close down a conversation:
Did you notice that all four actors used their job titles to say what they do; a charity worker, an accountant, a brain surgeon and a rocket scientist? Some job titles will turn people off, make them glaze over and sorry to say accountant is one of these, as is web designer, trainer, coach to name but a few others. Some job titles double up as an expertise such as brain surgeon or rocket scientist, which will often open up a conversation rather than close it down. I rarely use my CEO title or how I deliver what I do which is train or coach. When I introduce myself I often say what my expertise is: I am a Networking Expert.
To find out more about How to Work a Room, take a look at my eBook.
I just love watching Mitchell & Webb You Tube videos, in just 2.03 mins they cover a whole bundle of issues when it comes to working a room, including:
- How to open up a conversation (both the ‘right’ and wrong way)
- How to close down a conversation (who wouldn’t want to get away)
- How to break into a group (was it a set up?)
- How to make other people glaze over (so many people make this mistake)
- The differences between men and women non-verbal body language (did you spot the differences?)
- What your job title does to a conversation (here we go again with the glazed look)
So come on then, own up, have you ever made any of these mistakes?
How to break into a group:
Well of course the scene is set up for Mitchell to walk straight into the group and so that we get the best camera shot. But the reality is the same for you and me. There is only one way to break into a group - just make eye contact with one person and join in with confidence. As the group wasn’t talking when Mitchell joined them, he is quite at liberty to start a conversation. But is the real question, 'How do I break into a group' or “How do I know which group to join"? See my eBook – How to Work a Room for more practical details.
How to open up a conversation:
When he first joined the group Mitchell opened up with how difficult it was parking his car and (so that he can say he is a brain surgeon) and then he asks what do they do to earn their crust. His first opener is a generic, safe starter, which would easily include the weather (only Brits do this by the way) and transport. Easy small talk – BUT the problem with this starter is that often it can’t go any further and may leave you struggling for the next link to a wider conversation.
His second opener, “How do you earn a crust?”, is perhaps one of the most used openers of all times, normally asked as, “So, what do you do for a living?”. It is a good opener; it's safe and does allow the conversation to go down a more meaningful route. BUT the problem with this opener is that some people take liberties and launch into their 60 second pitch. There is a time and place to do your elevator pitch. We believe you should focus on creating a conversation first. If you want to learn how to do an elevator pitch for free follow this link: Free Elevator Pitches
How to close down a conversation:
Did you notice that all four actors used their job titles to say what they do; a charity worker, an accountant, a brain surgeon and a rocket scientist? Some job titles will turn people off, make them glaze over and sorry to say accountant is one of these, as is web designer, trainer, coach to name but a few others. Some job titles double up as an expertise such as brain surgeon or rocket scientist, which will often open up a conversation rather than close it down. I rarely use my CEO title or how I deliver what I do which is train or coach. When I introduce myself I often say what my expertise is: I am a Networking Expert.
To find out more about How to Work a Room, take a look at my eBook.
