I love networking! Any facet of human interaction is appealing to me. From a cocktail social to the corner supermarket, I have an interest in connecting with people. In business, networking has extraordinary benefits if done right. No matter what background, not everyone reads from the same networking etiquette manual. I have set out to change that. I have been working hard to advocate national networking etiquette.
I have sketched out my worst networking experiences in the form of a commandment tablet blog. 
10 Networking Commandments (1-5)
- Thou shall not force feed others my business card.
- Thou shall not spam my connections.
- Thou shall not accept a business card then ask what they do.
- Thou shall not write on the back of someone else’s business card.
- Thou shall not offend in dialogue.
1. Thou shall not force feed others my business card.
One of my biggest networking peeves is when people go around and force their card upon me. I always have a rule that I will distribute my card in only two scenarios. If a person specifically asks for my card or if they request additional insight on my services. I adopted this standard because I want a potential connection to be interested in communicating with me post the event. Whatever interest they have in my expertise or my industry, I want it to be their choice to contact me further. I do not want to disguise my intentions with nonsense conversation and pretend to be interested in someone. You have seen those people who talk to you only to insert the opportunity to peddle their card. I am genuinely interested in connecting with a person of value to help strengthen my network. If they see value in me to help strengthen their network, then we have served a mutually beneficial purpose.
2. Thou shall not spam my connections.
Do not accept my business card then sign me up on your weekly e-mail marketing list. That is super, super tacky. When I receive a business card, I determine who I will add to my e-mail list. By the time I send them a head’s up to let them know that I plan to add them to our corporate e-mail list, I have already cultivated an interest in them. During this time I have sent a follow-up e-mail sharing my pleasure in connecting with them. It is about connecting not selling.
3. Thou shall not accept a business card then ask what they do.
OK, here’s the thing. Once you receive my card look at it. You asked for it, now look at it. Don’t put it in your card holder before looking at it. It is embarrassing for both of us if you ask later, “What again is it that you do?” I know you are enthralled in our general conversation, but the best indicator that you are not interested in my value is by saying “What do you do again?”
4. Thou shall not offend in dialogue.
I am a huge supporter of my local politics. In like environments I know that I will meet someone who shares the same political beliefs as me. In this case it is encouraged to engage in political rants and views. Consider your environment. Avoid politics, religion, judgmental opinions, racy topics, controversial current events and negative conversation. You do not know that person well enough to insert your opinion. We see this often with people who have had a little too many Apple Martinis and get loose lips. My advice – after you have identified a connection then your anchored opinion can be revealed.
5. Thou shall not write on the back of someone else’s business card.
If you do it to them, you’ll do it to me (not really because mine is double sided and glossy). I don’t want your information if you have to write it on the back of a third party’s card. No thanks! I will wait until you call me. As a matter of fact, just give me my card back.
Read Commandments 6-10 next week!
Do you know a networking offender? Share your story.
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