19/03/2026
LEARN TO NETWORK IN THE WAY THAT THEY WON'T FORGET YOU
A while back, I was invited to a high-level gathering. This is a meeting that happens every year, and they invite exceptional organization leaders and some influential figures from both private and government circles. It's the industrial experts, big CEOs, and other key influential figures who are there.
Now, in the presence of many influential people, there is a tendency to want to talk to everyone without a strategy. It's like your dream come true because some of the people you've been wanting to meet and talk to, yet never got the chance, come to this meeting. I usually see people be all over the place and try to have quick chats here and there. Some actually speak to me as well.
The unfortunate part is that if you talk to people like that in a gathering of this nature, they will forget about you the next day or even minutes later. As such, you need a strategy to network RIGHTLY. Do the following to effectively network:
1. DEFINE YOUR NEED: Know beforehand what you are lacking or need the most at the moment so you know whom you need to talk to in terms of industry and portfolio. This will make you prepare and be impactful in your quick catch-up. I do this always.
2. LEVERAGE THE POWER GIVEN: The fact that you find yourself at a high-level meeting gives you power for influential people to give you time and attention because they assume you are of key importance. This is your short-term borrowed credibility and power, which you must harness rightly to permanently grab key partnerships. In short, be confident and sound professional so that you win them over and leave a permanent imprint always. I usually receive follow-up emails even from influential figures after such meet-ups. It's my knack.
3. FOCUS ON IMPACT/SOLUTIONS: As you talk to the key people you have targeted, talk about the problem your business or work solves very quickly, then focus more on the solution you are providing, its unique value proposition, and impact. This will leave a great imprint on the mind. At the mentioned meet-up, I met the United Nations Executive Associate, someone I targeted for a while, and I made sure the impact of ASSET work was communicated clearly. We are now connected!
4. REDUCE YOUR FOCUS/TARGET: You can't talk to every influential person and expect to leave an impact. Target one or two who meet your defined need and ensure that you have a very solid conversation so that wherever they go, they won't forget you. If they forget your name, at least they should never forget your work or its impact. Better to connect with one person who gives 80% of opportunities than talk to 80% of people who can only bring 20% opportunity. Apply the Pareto principle.
The above are the principles that give me the power to network rightly and grab many opportunities from one-day or even minutes-long privileged meetings. Apply and personalize the above principles. Wishing you the best of success.
