10 Tips & Tricks to Network Like a Pro

September 12, 2016

What does the end of summer mean for you?  For those of us at AD, it’s not just about getting the kids back to school, preparing for cooler weather or drafting our fantasy football teams.  We are gearing up for the most exciting time of our year: AD Meeting season. 

Not only are AD Meetings an exciting opportunity to connect with others in industry, they are also a chance to gain valuable insights from the best independent distributors in North America.  As Matt Cohen, President of Replenex, Inc. says, “AD networking provides quality, best-in-class peers that are incredibly open and candid about their businesses, which gives me the ability to run my business better.”

We were fortunate enough to glean some words of wisdom from the best in our industries. Taken from the not-yet-released 2016 edition of AD Today, here are 10 tips & tricks to help you network like a pro.

1. "Review the attendee list before you get there, and identify several people that you would like to meet." -Ron Herem, President, Baldwin Supply Company
2. "Let people know you are new. Reach out and don't be afraid to walk up to someone, introduce yourself and shake hands." -Robin Thomas, Director of Sales, HVAC and Building & Construction, Berry Plastics
3. "I keep my business cards tucked in my badge. They are easy to reach, and it makes for a great chance to swap cards, or simply begin a quick one-on-one with a customer." -Joe Pro Jr., President, Pennsylvania Machine Works
4. "Make sure you have on your glasses if you need them, so that you can see name badges. Understand the color coding of the name badges and lanyards so that you know who might be someone you should meet." -Terry Stevens, VP Sales North American Electrical Division, Ideal Industries
5. "Making people feel special during that brief meeting is the key to success. That comes from meaningful eye contact and relaxed body language." -Jennifer Eastman, National Sales Manager, Canada, RC Lighting
6. "Networking is a 'comfortable' activity, not a rapid 50-questions approach." -Chuck Eddy, VP of Sales, Southwire
7. "Presenting yourself with integrity and respect goes a long way in creating a lasting impression for those just getting to know you (and will leave them curious to know more)." -Alana Parker, Owner, Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc.
8. "Don't be shy. You have to realize that everyone is there for the same purpose." -Mike Nisenbaum, Director of Industrial Sales & Marketing, Carlisle-Timken
9. "Take notes! I draw a lot from our Network. My staff dreads when I come back, because I have pages of bullet points on items we need to start doing in our business. My mind is wide open and looking to absorb the best practices and ideas shared by fellow members."  -Randy Trachtenberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, M&M Supply Company, LLC
10. "Don't be overwhelmed. The meeting is structured to have several small segments that will allow you to focus on specific topics or issues you may want to discuss. Be yourself, have a plan of what you would like to achieve for the week, ask questions, take notes and follow up throughout the year. The next time you get together the easier the connection will be." -Jeffrey Beall, President, PHCP Divisions, AD

These 10 tips & tricks can help you get the most out of your AD Meeting this fall.  Keep an eye out for the 2016 AD Today where you can read the full article on networking best practices.