Client events - tips for an introverts?
Discussion
I'm a simple kind of fellow - I say it as I see it and am generally happy in my back room job, number crunching and generally only being wheeled out in front of clients when some techincal knowledge is required. I'm not a 'people person', I think it's fair to say.
However, I have been thrust into an uncomfortable role. My role is developing and, as people around me are made redundant, I am covering a lot of the more 'people' orientated events, which are well outside of my comfort zone.
For example, tomorrow I will be helping to host a stand up breakfast (before presentations) for 150-odd clients, 99% of which I don't know. Traditionally I'd have turned up 5 minutes before they were due to watch the talks, chatted to a buddy and avoided eye contact. Unfortunately this won't wash anymore.
So... How do you go into a room of people you don't know and get to know them? A chirpy hello, shake of hands then what? How do you get into a conversation which is already in flow? How do you avoid standing in a corner and not talking to anyone?
Any tips for an introvert, thurst into an extroverted role?
However, I have been thrust into an uncomfortable role. My role is developing and, as people around me are made redundant, I am covering a lot of the more 'people' orientated events, which are well outside of my comfort zone.
For example, tomorrow I will be helping to host a stand up breakfast (before presentations) for 150-odd clients, 99% of which I don't know. Traditionally I'd have turned up 5 minutes before they were due to watch the talks, chatted to a buddy and avoided eye contact. Unfortunately this won't wash anymore.
So... How do you go into a room of people you don't know and get to know them? A chirpy hello, shake of hands then what? How do you get into a conversation which is already in flow? How do you avoid standing in a corner and not talking to anyone?
Any tips for an introvert, thurst into an extroverted role?
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A couple of simple tips would be:
- Know why you're there - what's the specific subject?
- Think of some "key messages" you would want to discuss relevant to the topic (or your role in the company or your experience) before and after the presentation - the "safe topics" you'd feel comfortable talking about. They can also be your points of introduction.
- Can you buddy up with someone more extrovert, such as a sales person? Tell them you're not comfortable. They can introduce you as "Brains" to their Jeff Tracy.
- Think of it as playing a role. Some of my best work in meetings has been where I'm the Ernie Wise to someone else's Eric Morecambe. He's the funny one they like, I'm the boring one they trust. Find your role and your comfort zone and stick to it. You're the backroom buy who's actually going to get the job done, so the customers want to trust you. Think about what that means and how you (and your buddy) can present that.
- Develop entry points to conversations. Think of "Hello, I'm...(the boring sod who's going to make this happen)" Who are you? which company? What are you expecting from this.
-Smile. Try to remember names (something I'm terrible at, and I make a joke about it and ask them again). Don't make jokes unless your comfortable. Stick to safe topics (the project, your role, their role).
A couple of simple tips would be:
- Know why you're there - what's the specific subject?
- Think of some "key messages" you would want to discuss relevant to the topic (or your role in the company or your experience) before and after the presentation - the "safe topics" you'd feel comfortable talking about. They can also be your points of introduction.
- Can you buddy up with someone more extrovert, such as a sales person? Tell them you're not comfortable. They can introduce you as "Brains" to their Jeff Tracy.
- Think of it as playing a role. Some of my best work in meetings has been where I'm the Ernie Wise to someone else's Eric Morecambe. He's the funny one they like, I'm the boring one they trust. Find your role and your comfort zone and stick to it. You're the backroom buy who's actually going to get the job done, so the customers want to trust you. Think about what that means and how you (and your buddy) can present that.
- Develop entry points to conversations. Think of "Hello, I'm...(the boring sod who's going to make this happen)" Who are you? which company? What are you expecting from this.
-Smile. Try to remember names (something I'm terrible at, and I make a joke about it and ask them again). Don't make jokes unless your comfortable. Stick to safe topics (the project, your role, their role).
Are you doing one of the presentations after the breakfast?
Make sure you get a good nights sleep. best to have a quiet breakfast before you go off to host for the customers (get room service if you have to). That way when hosting you can think about the people there rather than being hungry. Although leave a little room to eat something with everyone else - but this should be more being sociable rather than fighting hunger.
When wandering around introduce yourself and ask them about themselves. Don't get nervous and do all the talking - let them do that. Mostly just listen to them.
Don't get tied down with one group - introduce yourself, find out about the person or people you are with and then let them know that you need to go and welcome some of the others. People will understand.
As an introvert, someone who needs lots of 'me' time (and I am one), hopefully you will have a chance after the breakfast is over to go and relax. For an introvert to do what you are going to do is draining. So while everyone is off seeing the first presentation assume that you will need to go somewhere and relax.
Make sure you get a good nights sleep. best to have a quiet breakfast before you go off to host for the customers (get room service if you have to). That way when hosting you can think about the people there rather than being hungry. Although leave a little room to eat something with everyone else - but this should be more being sociable rather than fighting hunger.
When wandering around introduce yourself and ask them about themselves. Don't get nervous and do all the talking - let them do that. Mostly just listen to them.
Don't get tied down with one group - introduce yourself, find out about the person or people you are with and then let them know that you need to go and welcome some of the others. People will understand.
As an introvert, someone who needs lots of 'me' time (and I am one), hopefully you will have a chance after the breakfast is over to go and relax. For an introvert to do what you are going to do is draining. So while everyone is off seeing the first presentation assume that you will need to go somewhere and relax.
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