The Westin Grand Frankfurt’s Post

Hello all and welcome to the fifth Coffee Talk of the Year! It’s networking month! Our topic this month will be about: Networking – A.K.A. Making Professional Friendships – Based on Tara Brown’s April networking lecture at the NOMA chapter meeting at Boba Whaaat in Phoenix. Since we learned some tools for networking from that meeting, what does the thought of actually going out and doing it bring up for you? Excitement? Terror? “I’d love to do that!” or “I’ll never do that!” We’ll talk about any and all topics of networking. Ways to begin, where to go, how to practice, getting over your nerves, in person vs. online, and any questions you may want to ask. We’d love to welcome and have you there on May 18th to share knowledge, thoughts, and experiences with you and others. See you then! About Boba Whaaat (https://lnkd.in/g8pKSWtH): Boba Whaaat is a Vietnamese tea shop and eatery that serves various drinks and food located off Indian School Road. What are Coffee Talks? Coffee Talks are a NOMAarizona monthly event. Order a warm/iced beverage of your choice from rotating cafe locations around the valley. In Coffee Talks, we come together to share, listen, and learn in a casual setting. This is a place where topics both light and heavy can be discussed welcomingly while learning from different perspectives and joining in community. We encourage all to join in the conversation as we explore many topics and coffee shops with NOMAarizona. Follow up: At each Coffee Talk, the facilitators take notes. Individual stories and names are not included in the notes to maintain confidentiality of each person. These notes are used to create a recap to post to the NOMAarizona website (https://lnkd.in/grKUznTM) as a tool for others to learn from and observe new perspectives. If you have a topic/input/comments you’d like to chat about for coffee talks please click on this link: Your Coffee Talk Input https://lnkd.in/gfP-QPBr RSVP here https://lnkd.in/gK95ykYC

How to survive the holiday party season when you despise networking and schmoozing with strangers: -Go have fun. I know....reframing your brain to think this way reduces the pressure of feeling like you need to emerge from the event with a deal in hand. If you think of networking as meeting up with your friends, colleagues, and former co-workers, it becomes more fun. -Don't overstay your welcome. Don't feel the pressure to hang around "just because." Feel good about the connections you made, and leave before you get cranky (or is that just me?). -Pre-connect before you go. Reach out to contacts that you think might be attending. If they aren't attending, you can set up meetings with them for another time! Found someone who will be going? Now you have a friendly face to look for. -Act as the host of the party and introduce yourself. If it's your firm's party, ask: "Is there anyone from the firm you want to connect with tonight?" (And then bring them to that person). It takes the pressure off of you to sell (just don't) and puts the focus on actually connecting. -If 1:1 is your style, make your rounds and leave to grab dinner/dessert, etc, with a smaller group. You are good at networking. Find a way that works for you and abandon approaches that feel awkward or uncomfortable.

Networking. Cringe.😩 Meeting people. Potentially less cringe.🙂 Meeting people, finding you've a connection and having an uplifting conversation.🫶🏾 Not cringe at all. How do you do it, though, without feeling awkward? Here are some ways to break the ice: 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 - For example, you’re in a room with a snooker table. "Have you played?" 𝗕𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 - “What’s your go-to food or drink?” (in the kitchen / buffet). "As we're both at the buffet bar, I feel I should introduce myself. Especially as I may end up fighting you over the sushi." 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - "Love that jacket!" 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - "Where's the best place to eat around here?" 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) - "You like white wine I see. 'Chateaux de Plonk' from New Zealand's a winner." 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 - a road closure, tube strike (𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯). 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻- They yawn. You say, "Tired?" 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 - (𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘨𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦.) 𝘛𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦, "Events on Friday evenings are so hard to get to. I'm always knackered!" 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 - on the dance floor, for example: "I've always wanted to learn that step. Can you show me how to do it?" 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿 - "Can you keep an eye on my laptop while I pop to the loo, please?" 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 - I don't think I saw you at Jo's last party. How do you know her? 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸 - I did this fab thing. Are you into that? 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 - the cliché that so often leads into other subjects. (𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳, 𝘪𝘵'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.) Once you've hacked that ice, it's fascinating how the conversation can open up. Do you have any specific approaches you tend to use? ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Want to discover how to be a Communication Ninja🥷🏼? Go here for a free 15 minute Discovery Call: https://lnkd.in/dqJ2WYW I specialise in people skills for geeks. 💻 Theatre-based training to make you less vanilla and more THRILLER 🎇

Networking can be full on at the best of times, but it really ramps up in December. If you're uncomfortable or new to it, then don't worry - we all feel the same! Here are some tips to help you get the most from any networking you do this Festive Season...

𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 ? There are various opinions about networking. If you speak to 10 people, you will get 10 different views on networking. Do you think that networking is underrated ? This is a snippet of the conversation between me and CHETAN SHROFF Let us know your thoughts... #CasualConversations #SasankaDias #ChetanShroff #OneOfAKindPersonalBrand #Hospitality #PersonalBranding

ICE ICE ICEBREAKERS! Let’s talk icebreakers!!! Networking can feel clunky if you don’t know how to do it! I find having fun icebreakers to ask people can lighten the mood and develop organic conversation!!! Organically starting a networking conversation can be a subtle and natural process. Here are some tips on how to begin a conversation smoothly: 1. Make an Observational Comment: - Example: “I noticed that this event has a great turnout. Have you attended before?” - Why it works: It’s a natural way to start a conversation based on the shared experience you’re both having. 2. Compliment Something Specific: - Example: “That’s a great-looking bag! Where did you get it?” - Why it works:Compliments are a positive way to make someone feel good and open up to you. 3. Ask a Simple Question About the Event: - Example: “What do you think of the speaker so far?” - Why it works: It ties directly into the shared context and invites the other person to share their thoughts. 4. Introduce Yourself: - Example: “Hi, I’m [Your Name]. What’s your name?” - Why it works: It’s straightforward and gets the introduction out of the way early. 5. Comment on the Venue or Environment: -Example: “This venue has such a nice ambiance. Have you been here before?” - Why it works:It’s a non-intrusive way to start a conversation about something neutral. 6. Mention Something You’ve Observed About Them: - Example: “I overheard you mention [topic]. That’s really interesting—could you tell me more about it?” - Why it works: It shows you’re paying attention and are genuinely interested in what they have to say. 7. Offer a Genuine, Open-Ended Question: - Example: “What’s your connection to this event?” - Why it works:It invites them to share more about themselves and their purpose for being there. 8. Use Humor or Light-Hearted Comments: - Example: “I think we might be the only two people who haven’t had coffee yet today!” - Why it works: Humor can break the ice and make the conversation feel more relaxed. 9. Talk About Something Current: - Example: “Did you catch the news about [current event]? It’s been quite the topic lately.” - Why it works: It connects your conversation to something timely and relevant. 10. Share Something About Yourself: -Example: “I’m here because I’m really interested in learning more about [topic]. How about you?” Why it works:It creates a space for the other person to reciprocate by sharing their interests or reasons for attending. These approaches can help start a conversation that feels natural and unforced, leading to more meaningful and engaging networking interactions. #networking #innovation #mixingitup #adashmore #fuquay #wakecounty #network #science

There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing how Synergy Networking is impacting our members. I'm proud to share this feedback from one of our members, Olivia King, who is part of the Sourced IT Recruitment team. She captures so well what being part of the Synergy is all about, have a read below: "I really enjoy being part of the Synergy whānau and love my Friday morning chats. It gives me a good buzz of energy to finish the week strong and feeling motivated. Developing meaningful new connections and getting insights & advice from people with different backgrounds and skills has been so useful, and really expanded my view of my own abilities! The weekly discussions and presentations are insightful, engaging, and have provided me with more confidence in myself and my approach to work." For small business owners and professionals, finding a community where you can learn, grow, and connect in a meaningful way is invaluable. It’s not just about exchanging business cards—it’s about sharing experiences, gaining fresh perspectives, and building confidence in your journey. At Synergy, we’re committed to creating a space where you can recharge, find motivation, and finish the week strong. Every week, we come together not just as a networking group, but as a supportive community. If you’re looking for more than just another networking event, come see what Synergy is all about. Let’s connect, share, and grow together. 🚀

Networking is like a fork. What you see is what you get. To a child, it can be a toy. To a criminal , it can be a weapon. To most, is a dining tool But in the hand of a master, a few bends can become an art masterpiece worth millions. So what is networking to you?

Has anyone been to any good networking events this week? Maybe a good networking event looks different to different people... For me, "good" means well-organised, structured, and with some type of theme or focus (and oat milk available). It also needs to be in a nice place — I’m not being snobby, but a drab building or room doesn’t set the right feel. What does good networking look like for you? Suggestions welcomed on where to attend.... #networking  #businessgrowth