When attending social gatherings for networking purposes you must understand that you need to concentrate on why you are there. Are you there to do business and meet some worthy contacts or are you there to get a date and socialize about nothing in particular and the weather and gossip column in general? Ask yourself; why am I here?

When you are at a Chamber of Commerce Networking event or mixer you need to consider your goals. You wish to meet people who may buy your products or services or who have acquaintances that might, which they can refer to you. In trade you promise to try to do the same for whatever it is they are selling. This is relatively easy to do.

If you find yourself in a romantic or leading discussion with a worthy individual you really need to take their card and ask them if you can see them another night on a date and move on because business comes first or ditch your original mission and simply talk up a storm and get to know them. If this is the case you need to ask them if you are impeding their mission, if not go on. If so make another appointment to meet later on.

This is proper etiquette for business based social networking events and something you should consider if in fact you find yourself talking with someone you would really like to get to know better on a much more personal level. So, please consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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