10 Networking Questions – Part One

For the next three weeks we will be looking at Ten Networking Questions for use at Networking Functions. The subject is taken from an article in Masters of Networking by Bob Burg.

I have ten questions in my personal arsenal. They are absolutely not designed to be probing or sales orientated in any way. You’ll notice that they are all friendly and fun to answer and will tell you something about the way the person you are talking to thinks. You are unlikely to need or to have the time to ask all ten questions in one conversation. Know them well enough that you are able to ask the ones you deem appropriate for the particular conversation and time frame.

Here are the first three questions.

1. How did you get started in the widget business?

People like to be Movie of the Week in someone else’s mind. ‘I worked my way through college, then started in the mail room, then blah blah blah, and finally began the fascinating career of selling widgets’.

Let them share their story with you while you actively listen.

2.What do you enjoy most about your profession?

Again, it’s a question that elicits a good, positive feeling. And it should get you the positive response you are seeking.

3. What separates you and your company from the competition?

I call this the permission to brag question. All our lives we are taught not to brag about ourselves and our accomplishments, yet you have just given this person permission to let it all hang out!

Next week we will cover the next three questions from Bob Burg’s 10 Networking Questions.