Networking in the Change Room: 5 Ways to Network Effectively While Getting Undressed

There's a time and place to network with people in order to generate leads, build rapport and form meaningful relationships. The change room at your gym, spa or country club isn't one of them. It's a lousy place to do any networking. Things dangle, imperfections are visible and being naked means that you're vulnerable.

If the person is a yapper, you're stuck listening to him since you won't be able to scurry away to your car in your birthday suit. If the person is a looker, you may feel embarassed asking her to keep her eyes focused on your own.

If you bump into someone you've been trying to get in touch with, and he's standing in front of you half-naked, here's some tips to remember to avoid embarrassment.

Don't stare. At a networking event, it's perfectly fine to look at what someone's wearing and even comment on how they look. In the change room, this is a no-no. Whether the person has a mole on their butt or a rash on their thigh, resist the temptation of eyeing that spot. Also, never ask how they got it. Instead, glance at the spot quickly, then return your focus to the person's eyes.

Keep your eyes at eye level. While networking, it's common for people to make eye contact then let their eyes fall down to your chest area to read your name tag. Don't do this in the change room. Nothing is more embarassing then dropping your eyes to scan the person in their birthday suit. Your best bet is to pretend the person is wearing a full body chastity suit and that you can't see anything below the his or her neck.

Don't have a long chat. At a networking event, it's okay to engage people for at least 5-minutes to find out who they are and how you can help them. In the change room, people are often not in the business frame of mind. For example, someone at the gym is there to workout and may need to get back to office quickly. Someone at the spa is there to relax and has left the office at the office. If you must chat, keep it very pleasant and very short. Then, promise to follow-up by email or phone later in the day.

Resist the handshake. In a normal networking situation, shaking hands is proper business etiquette. However, while in the change room, resist the urge to stick out your hand. The person may have hair gel, body lotion or some other goopy substance all over their fingers. The last thing you want to do is stand there after a handshake with something wet drying all over your fingers as you chat. Instead, simply wave hello, keep your distance and just smile.

Don't ask "Why are you here?" This is a normal question at a networking event. People are dying to know what you're looking for so they can help you. In the change room, asking that question is either stating the obvious or can be awkward. If you're at the gym, assume they're working out. If the person's at the doctor's office, most likely they have a medical condition that they'd prefer to discuss with their doctor. If you must ask questions, try asking about the family, a recent vacation or what they're reading these days and stay away from asking about the obvious.

Networking in the change room can happen, just remember how to do it effectively to avoid an awkward encounter. Keep your eyes level, resist the urge to touch and you'll soon learn that networking while undressed can be rewarding to the growth of your business.

Leesa Barnes is a networking expert who helps coaches, consultants and solopreneurs avoid cold calling by developing a fearless networking plan. Leesa is author of "Schmooze Your Way to Success: 9 Fearless Networking Tips for the Shy, Timid, Introverted & Just Plain Clueless." Sign up for her free 8-lesson ecourse called "From Clueless to Fearless: Secrets from a Networking Pro" by visiting her website at http://www.schmoozeyourwaytosuccess.com.

In The News:

---

Ocean Tomo to Sell Highly-Cited Social Networking Patent at Live ...
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
CHICAGO, Aug 28, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ocean Tomo Auctions today announced a fundamental patent relating to social networking technology, US 6480885, ...

Research and Markets: Application Networking Services can Help ...
MarketWatch - 14 hours ago
s new report "Application Networking Services can help better integrate branch offices with HQs at global enterprises, but enterprises need to select ...
Examine the Biggest Challenges to Enterprise Network Upgrade ... MarketWatch
all 22 news articles

BusinessWeek
The Secret Behind Obama’s Nomination: Social Networking
Wall Street Journal Blogs, NY - 5 hours ago
The Obama campaign’s use of the site provides a model for businesses that are struggling with their own social-networking efforts. Throughout the campaign ...
Can Obama Turn Friends into Voters? BusinessWeek
The Facebook Candidate Meets the Real World Huffington Post
Has Obama Already Won in Online Fund-Raising? BusinessWeek
all 7 news articles

Networking calendar
Dallas Morning News, TX - 11 hours ago
Branch Out, a networking organization sponsored by the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 am weekly, Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Lane, ...

Colleges Experimenting with Emergency Alerts Via Social Networking ...
AACRAO Transcript, DC - 4 hours ago
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, colleges are experimenting with delivering emergency notifications via social networking sites such as ...

Chamber to host networking sessions
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA - 7 hours ago
By Sara Pauff - spauff@ledger-enquirer.com -- The Phenix City-Russell County Chamber of Commerce will hold a networking program on September 2 at 7:45 am at ...
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce (GNHCC) WebWire (press release)
all 3 news articles

Times Online
Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin To Create Film About Social Networking ...
AHN - 9 hours ago
Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Social networking site Facebook will be coming to theaters. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin will be making a film about the founders of ...
Aaron Sorkin to adapt story of Facebook for the big screen AOL Canada
Can Sorkin pull off Facebook, the movie? The Week Daily
West Wing Writer To Work On A Facebook Movie ChattahBox
InTheNews.co.uk - Times Onlineall 126 news articles

Converge Network Digest
Networking vendor plans to offer SaaS-based email archiving services
Byteandswitch.com, NY - 2 hours ago
PostPath, which is a former Byte and Switch top 10 startup, touts Linux-based software that can be dropped into a Microsoft network and works like an ...
Cisco Gobbles PostPath for $215M Red Herring
Cisco Buys PostPath for $215 Million Wall Street Journal
Cisco acquires email startup PostPath for $215M Local Tech Wire
MarketWatch - Computerworldall 103 news articles

10 Useful Secrets For Orkut, Myspace And Other Social Networking Sites
Corsavoo.com, France - 2 hours ago
There are over 400 plus social networking sites online facilitating business and social networking. The online community can congregate each day 24/7 ...

Information Systems Coordinator
Seattle Times, United States - 48 minutes ago
Computer/network certifications and customer service/help desk experience a plus. Requires periodic travel to client sites within King and Pierce counties. ...

networking - Google News

Mobile Car Wash Companies; Trading Tips

If you run a mobile car washing firm we recommend trading for as many products and services as possible. You should trade for both personal and business items. You need to keep in... Read More

Real Business Networking Doesnt Happen at Networking Events

Real networking isn't about handing out business cards at a networking event, or seeing how many you can collect before the event is over. Real networking is about relationships that, when cultivated properly,... Read More

Online Business Networking: How Personal is Too Personal?

Online networking has opened up some fantastic business opportunities for solo entrepreneurs. You can open an account with one of the major online business networks such as Ryze, and get to know industrious... Read More

The A-B-Cs of Networking

In the workplace - and when dealing with workplace matters - networking is a powerful tool. And the same is true in personal and social situations, where friends and family can provide you... Read More

The 4 Actions of Awesome Hospitality

These Actions of Awesome Hospitality? will help you manifest the power of approachability through your organizational front porches.AWESOME ACTION #1: Go Beyond the Door My friend, Pastor Bob Farr of the St.... Read More

The Festive Season: Your Networking Opportunity

The festive season is a great time to sharpen and hone your networking skills. There is not a better time to start building long-term business relationships. Christmas offers a chance to meet new... Read More

Write It Down!

Why would you want to write information on paper when you have a business card in hand?Putting it on paper can mean a number of things. It can simply mean putting notes on... Read More

34 Power Affirmations for Networking with the Affluent

Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the book "Networking with the Affluent" by Dr. Thomas Stanley. Even though the book is targeted to sales people, I believe that it is... Read More

Develop a Great Network - Pay It Forward for Maximum Success

Who needs a network of people to talk to about the struggles you're encountering in your profession? You do! The more people you have in your personal network, the more people that can... Read More

10 Steps to Successful Networking

"It's not what you know, it's who you know."This old saying rings true in everything we do, especially in business. Finding contacts is key to the success of your business, and a great... Read More

Follow-Up with Your Contacts

What happens when you meet a potential client at an event and you do not follow up?So now the event is over and you have collected a number of business cards, taken notes... Read More

Networking - Facts to Ponder

Right here in Europe, the very last continent to enter into its growth cycle, there is only around 0.5% involved and we are right at the very beginning of our growth cycle in... Read More

Practice Makes Pefect

What is the problem when people try to describe what they do and they stumble over their words and never consistently repeat the same message?Have you ever gone to a networking event and... Read More

Increase Your Sales by 30% Using Internet Collaboration Networks

Small businesses are really excluded from the global economySmall businesses from many different industries, both traditional and hi-tech, have discovered a new way for them to succeed in the "global economy".It involves collaboration... Read More

Networking to a New Life

Research shows that talking to strangers -- not people in your comfort zone -- is the single most powerful key to a creative career and business move. Yet many people resist. Sometimes they... Read More

Are You Really Listening: The Importance of Strong Communication Skills

Let's face it, when most people think of IT professionals, the image that comes to mind is the guy or girl with the glasses huddled behind a myriad of computer monitors, incapable of... Read More

Jump Start Your Network

Networking is often identified as a key business building activity for small business owners, especially those just getting started. Often we think of networking as meeting as many new people as possible. However... Read More

Strategic Networking: Take the Shortest Path to Success

Do you use Ryze or LinkedIn to promote your web based business? If so, you may have noticed that everything is linked to everything else. Here's how to take the shortest path to... Read More

Flying High, Flying Far

"What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"This was the response I received from one of my clients when I suggested that she needed to get out there and promote herself. She... Read More

Talk Isnt Cheap

The most successful organizations have good communication skills. Survey after survey bears this out. Poor communication skills are often cited in employee surveys as a reason for poor morale and performance.Having been in... Read More

Networking and Trade Shows

The most important reasons people exhibit at a trade show? To see what's new and to gather leads - information for future business.So, how do you that besides standing in the booth and... Read More

Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business?

When you look at your friends, it's like looking into a mirror. Take the sum of characteristics of the five people you spend most of your time with and you will be the... Read More

The Anatomy of a Brain Cramp; The Retainer and the Lavalava - Communication

In life, you have to successfully work with people to get anywhere. You can't avoid it.Some people are fun, good, and wholesome, and others can feel like a thorn in your shoe. Some... Read More

How to Keep from Sounding LIKE Totally Stupid

June is reality check month. Lots of the resolutions have been made and most are already broken. It's time to take a hard look at where you are going in 05 and beyond.... Read More

Network Marketing Secret: On Becoming the ?GoTo? Guy

For years we've been taught to identify ourselves as reps for one XYZ company or another.~We have our fancy business cards printed, some letterhead, maybe an address stamp.~We use the company logo... Read More

9 Ways to Spice Up Your Nametags for More Engaging Conversation

Nametags are worn for a variety of jobs and functions, but people don't like to wear them because they're annoying, damage your clothing, clash with your outfit, and eliminate anonymity.Picture this: you see... Read More

Did You Market Yourself Today?

"If you build a better mouse trap - the world will beat a path to your door."Do you still believe that?Let's try another one. "Go to school; get a good job; and the... Read More

Effective Networking

The process of finding out about a job, getting interviewed, and eventually receiving an offer for employment starts with networking. By networking I don't mean sending out hundreds of copies of your r?sum?... Read More

How to Organize a Successful Bad Sweater Party

"Hey Scott, would you like to go to a Bad Sweater Party this weekend?""A what party?!" I said."A Bad Sweater Party. Wait a minute?you mean to tell me you've never been to a... Read More