As an introvert networking and small talk don’t come easy, and often the idea of walking into a room full of strangers is enough to bring on a panic attack.

But networking is a crucial part of any job. Learning how to network as an introvert could be what makes or breaks your opportunity to advance in your career.

So today I want to cover 3 ways you can master the ability to network, even when anxiety is high and you would rather be anywhere else than in a crowded room full of nametagged strangers.

For more advice on how to overcome your fears in the face of a networking event view the full episode below or on our YouTube Channel Victory TV. Otherwise, keep reading the truncated version below.

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1. Be yourself!

I know, it sounds cliché, but it’s true! Networking has gotten a bad rap, but at its core, networking is merely relationship building, it’s not schmoozing, it’s communicating. And it’s important to understand the strengths of your communication style – for example, introverts are usually better at creating intimate one on one relationships and are generally better listeners, two important social superpowers!

2. Do your research!

First ask yourself: What is the point of this networking event? And Why am I here? Figure out your specific goals for attending. Next, ask yourself: Who is it being hosted by and who will be in attendance? Then look them up on LinkedIn, find out what industries they’re in and develop a short but concise list of people you want to talk to.

3. Put on your listening ears!

Once you’ve prepared a list of roughly 10 questions, some of my favourites being:

How did you hear about this event?

What do you do?

How long have you been in your current position?

Are you working on any interesting projects?

Do you have a side hustle outside of work?

Remember that people like talking about themselves, and new research from Harvard suggests that asking more questions – and asking more follow-up questions – increases your likability.

Do you have any of your own tips for How To Network As An Introvert? Include them in the comments below, that’s where the most important conversations happen, and where you can begin to find your community!

Did you miss our last episode? Check out Victory TV’s interview with public speaking expert Carmen Sederino.

Remember to subscribe to our channel Victory TV, and I’ll see you next time with more helpful videos so we can help you EXCEED THE BENCHMARK!

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The “Energy” Effect

Most people agree that a cup of coffee helps them feel more switched on and is key to improving their overall mood. There is a reason why caffeine is the most widely consumed nervous system stimulant but how does it work? Essentially, caffeine tricks our adenosine receptors and inhibits the release of this compound. This is a compound our body lets out throughout the day which causes us to feel tired. At the same time, caffeine stimulates the release of dopamine which works as a mood-lifter. So not only does your morning cup of coffee reduce tiredness and increase alertness, it also boosts your mood.

Helps You Learn Faster

In today’s business landscape, it is essential for professionals to consume mass amounts of content. Picking up a new skill requires focus and trying to learn something quickly, can be difficult. However, studies show that even 2 cups of coffee (200mg of caffeine) can increase the speed with which you identify words and phrases. It also showed that coffee consumption improves short-term memory and problem-solving activities. So next time you’re picking up a new skill, pick up a coffee first

Coffee Is Social

Are you a caffeinated social butterfly? If not, maybe you should start. A study at MIT found that co-workers who take coffee breaks together have an overall improvement in productivity. The study focused on the relationship between the strength of an individual’s social group and their productivity, confirming the positive influence of socialising at work. The casual nature of a coffee break can promote conversation and creativity between team members and is shown to improve employee satisfaction in the workplace as well. It gives co-workers an environment to share ideas as well as personal and professional experiences outside of the workplace.

The Downside

Caffeine is effectively a stimulant drug and consuming too much will have negative side effects. The way individual’s react to caffeine varies, and as such it’s difficult to say exactly how much caffeine is too much. According to a report from the Institute of Medicine, at about six cups of coffee ( 600mg of caffeine) is when most people will begin to feel the negative side effects including jitters.

Having too much caffeine can affect your sleeping pattern. A lack of restorative sleep can lead to a need for more coffee each day, thus creating a vicious cycle of too much caffeine and not enough downtime.

Final Thoughts

While there are benefits and drawbacks of drinking coffee, as long as you’re consuming moderate amounts in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, you should not see any of the negative effects.

So, if you’re looking to become more productive in the workplace don’t be afraid to grab one of our complimentary barista made coffees.

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Does dressing for success really work?

Studies have shown that wearing nice clothes in the office can have a widespread effect. Presentation influences perception, confidence and even abstract thinking. Anyone who owns a power outfit knows that the right clothes can be a big confidence booster. There have been multiple studies on the correlation between a person’s presentation and their performance.

A survey published by the Centre of Professional Excellence (CPE), found that two-thirds of business leaders agreed image played a major role in getting ahead. As part of the national poll, CPE also discovered ‘appearance’ ranked second only to ‘communication skills’ for qualities most often associated with professionalism.

“How an individual dresses for work can be a powerful extension of [their] personal brand,” says Matthew Randall, executive director of the CPE. “Clothes, accessories and even the footwear an employee chooses to wear help to reinforce or diminish [their] skills and qualities in the eyes of [their] employer, co-workers and clients.”

Similarly, a 2012 study found subjects who dressed in doctor’s lab coats performed better on attention-related tasks than those without lab coats, in fact they made half as many mistakes as their coatless counterparts.

As another example, study participants were asked to change into casual or formal clothing before performing a number of cognitive tests. Those wearing formal business attire had a marked increase in abstract thinking. This kind of thinking is an important feature of creativity and long-term strategising. The experiment also suggested that this increase is related to feelings of power in the well-dressed subjects. So how can you dress for success?

How to do it right

1. Know your workplace

Business is an everchanging enterprise and knowing your workplace is essential to dressing for success. If your company adheres to corporate-attire, then your power outfit certainly will not comprise of jeans and a t-shirt – no matter how comfortable. Likewise, if your workplace is more laid-back then you run the risk of overdressing which can be just as uncomfortable. Make sure you follow any presentation guidelines in place, emulate your coworkers or, if in doubt, do not be afraid to ask!

2. Comfort

As we noted above, dressing appropriately is fluid and dependant on your company. However, comfort should always be a factor in the clothes you choose. Dress for fit and function as well as fashion. If you are mobile all day, then towering heels may be best left for when you are sitting at your desk. Pull out your favourite button up on a day you know will be particularly stressful. If you are dressed comfortably, then you can focus on your task rather than your outfit.

3. Be yourself

The way you dress is the first insight people get into who you are. While you should abide by your company’s guidelines for presentation, do not lose yourself in them. Find your own office style and add some personal flair to your wardrobe. Business does not mean boring.

Start every day by dressing for success. Whether you have an important meeting, or you have landed the interview for your dream job, presentation is essential for your personal brand. This month, you can dress to impress and put these tips to the test with Victory Offices. We are offering our members one-hour of complimentary meeting room hire. So, pull on your power outfit and walk in with confidence.

The post Dressing For Success: Does It Really Work And How To do it right appeared first on Victory Offices.

This encompasses everything from looks to behaviour. Whoever you are meeting will be asking themselves “how does this person intend to treat me?”

Research shows that first impressions are usually judged in terms of two things, and those happen to be trustworthiness and competence. In terms of trustworthiness, people want to know that you are (basically) a person with decent values. Will treat them with respect? Will you be warm, or rude? A great way of securing a person’s trust is to be interested in their values and interests; don’t try to come off as overly warm, but do relate to them in a way that makes you personable. In terms of competence, people need to know that you possess the skills that they need. Are you intelligent or teachable, or are you arrogant?

Body language

How you say something is just as important as what you actually say. Keep it simple.

Show that you are interested by sitting with good posture. Show you’re listening by making eye contact and definitely hold back from fiddling. If you naturally make a point by using hand gestures, do ensure that they are non-threatening; refrain from pointing fingers (which singles people out and has dominant connotations) or making fists… And keep your arms decidedly uncrossed!

Scarcity

Paint a picture of yourself that sets you apart from the rest – people want and appreciate what is scarce. Find what you can offer that others cannot.

Content

Of course; it’s the reason you’re meeting to begin with. This part is simple. Be prepared, be precise, be honest, and be on point. Do not waste anyone’s time, but find balance between going too fast and taking your time. Have an agenda but make sure you stay flexible.

Reciprocity

Generally, if you do something for something, they are going to be likely to want to reciprocate the action – whether it be a favour or even a general manner. Make the role of the people you are meeting with easier; if it’s a job interview, anticipate what documents they will require and hand them over before they even ask. If it’s a professional meeting, pay your attendees the same courtesy.

Doing something proactive like this makes their life easier, and they will be likely to feel compelled to do the same for you.

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