“The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.”
— John C. Maxwell
This is a bit of a tricky one. When you go to an event, it stands to reason that you might want an agenda that defines your objectives and helps you measure your results. Yet some people say that you should go to an event without an agenda.
Let’s look at that. Maybe once you have reached a certain level of success you can go to events simply to chill. When you don’t have an agenda you never appear nervous, you’re not the new guy on the block and you can relax. Often, that’s when good people come to you and things begin to happen organically precisely because you don’t have a set agenda.
However, telling someone to not have an agenda when they are just starting out and going to events specifically to meet people, is bull. You can’t not have an agenda. That’s the whole reason why you are attending the event in the first place. You have to come up with the money, make the time and create some sort of an agenda in order to meet people.
What I like to say is to act like you don’t have an agenda even when you do. Do your best. Just be cool. Ask people questions. Inquire about them. Give lots of compliments and buy drinks at the bar.
Never stalk anyone nor ask how big is their list or whether they can promote you. Even though you have an agenda, you can still play it cool, hang out and make friends. Ask the questions no one else asks.
Here’s the thing. No one is going to stand there after they tell you about themselves and decide to suddenly walk away. They will ask, “Tell me about what you do?” That’s why they are at the event also. Even if this is outside of your comfort zone, you have to do it. If you really want to build great relationships it is a fantastic approach.
Here’s the second part. Once you begin to talk about the after event parties, figure out the people that you believe would be most key for your business. I recommend that you organize a dinner for those people. Invite them before anyone else does. Set something up. Put yourself in the driver’s seat. If you position yourself in the middle of a group, you are doing everyone else a favor and they will be more likely to reciprocate.
Here’s what’s very cool about this. Setting up a dinner never appears to be thought out ahead of time. It feels very natural. You are doing others a favor.
And, at the same time you will definitely be accomplishing your agenda.
