1. "When in groups of movers and shakers, listen and then pass your card. When one-on-one pay close attention and speak when asked a question." John Walters
  2. "Smile, don't hang with people you already know, and try to introduce someone you don't know to someone else you don't know!" Raphael Barta, SFR
  3. "Research the attendees list for people you want to meet and be ready to bring value to the conversation." Chad Gleason, CCIM
  4. "Participate in charities: give your money and your time to something you are passionate about." Jim Taylor
  5. "Identify who you want to network with in advance and make a point of meeting them." Kevin Sigstad, CCIM, CPM
  6. "People do business with people they know, like, and trust, so get to know the person on a ‘real' level, and you may get the opportunity to do a deal in the very near future." Dave Wilson, CCIM
  7. "'PLUSH:' Position (what should attendees think of you), Listen (find value for attendees), Unique (recognize we and attendees are all different), Solve (think how to solve attendees' problems), Help (you are here to help attendees)." Bob Pliska, CRE
  8. "Have three memorized, open ended questions that would get the person with whom you are speaking to open up about their person and business." Dave Morris, CCIM, SIOR
  9. "Focus on building relationships based on common interests. I make more friends that way and it always seems to benefit both parties without ever forcing things." Alex Ruggieri, CCIM, CRE

This article appears in the Commercial Connections issue Summer 2016: Building Opportunities, Community & Our Future.

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