Gathering intelligence. Mirroring. Recruiting assets. All are elements of spycraft that you can use to build a better business network.
So says Pursuit editor Hal Humphreys in a recent Fast Company story.
Our executive editor, Hal Humphreys, has been making the rounds this year. He’s made appearances at PI conferences in Florida, North and South Carolina, and Texas. He’s spoken about deception detection, the latest in surveillance tech, and marketing for small investigative firms. This weekend he’s headed to Washington, D.C. to lead a seminar on skip tracing.
Between sessions, he’s found himself sipping cocktails at a great many networking events. You know the drill: Order cocktail. Join cluster of people who are also sipping drinks. Ask the requisite small-talk questions. Collect 100 business cards and follow up with 100 form emails when you get back to the office.
How often has this technique actually led to a meaningful business connection?
In a recent story for Fast Company magazine, Hal suggests an alternative to the cast-a-wide-net style of networking:
[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]The craft of building a network of clients and colleagues isn’t about casting a wide net. It’s about seeding real relationships. It requires time and calculation. It can even seem a bit creepy at times…(But) used in good faith, it might just help you land the next big client…and maybe even gain a lifelong friend.[/quote]
Read the full story at Fast Company: “5 Networking Secrets from a Professional Spy“