Networking Tips

TeXchange provides members with unique networking opportunities to meet and forge friendships with key people from the Austin technology community.  Participation in TeXchange and interactions with other members over time establishes connections that can assist company leaders in understanding best-practices, discovering funding sources, vetting service providers, and many other factors to help them grow their businesses.

TeXchange is very proud of the power of the networking that the organization can provide.  Below are several tips to help you get the most out of your networking while participating in TeXchange:

• Arrive early to ensure that you have ample time to meet and talk with other members.  Try to meet three to five new people every time you attend a TeXchange event.
• Remember to bring an ample supply of business cards to the event.  Many table discussion leaders will encourage all at the table to exchange cards, so be prepared.
• After the speaker, you will have a few moments to introduce yourself and your company.  Keep your self introduction short and professional.
• Select your table based on whom is the table discussion leader, rather than leaving that to chance.
• Invite others whom you meet to sit with you to make sure you maximize the power of the table discussions.
• TeXchange is NOT a leads group or sales forum.  Be sure that you are not trying to sell your products or services when participating in the table discussion.
• If you are not a subject expert on the topic, do not dominate the table discussion conversation, but instead ask questions and listen.
• Be conscious that your table discussion stays focused on the topic of the evening.  If it gets off course, help re-engage the group on how the topic effects all of you.
• Table Discussion Leaders are volunteers, be sure to thank them for their time.
• The key to successful networking is following up with the people that you meet.  Send an email or handwritten note to those people whom you met and had a meaningful conversation.
   

Networking Tips were provided by Thom Singer.  Thom is the Director of Business Development for vcfo and the author of four books on the power of business relationships and networking.