For those who say "yes" to events and opportunities, talk to strangers and are willing to "drop names" (do you know who I know?), everyday day is a "six degree" day. Whether it's a business networking opportunity, a community fundraiser or holiday party, finding a PIC (Person in Common) changes the conversation, starts the connection and builds relationships and business. Whether we call it coincidence, kismet or fate, we must make the effort to find the connection and allow for serendipity.
Several years ago, after giving a kickoff keynote for a convention, I decided to walk the exhibition hall.(Which pleased my clients). After all, one of the chapters in How To Work a Room® is
How To Work a Trade Show At the Accenture booth, I began chatting with one of the people staffing the booth and mentioned that my cousin worked for Accenture. The woman looked at me rather oddly and said, as if knowing my cousin were impossible, "So do thousands of people." She thought that would end the conversation. But that's not my style nor my recommendation to my audiences or readers. I looked at her and mentioned my cousin, Kayla Cohen. The look on her face was unforgettable. "As a matter of fact I do know Kayla." They had worked together on a project when Kayla was in the downtown Chicago office. Take the longshot. You never know!
And the conversation changed. She became more comfortable, more open and more friendly. We had now had a PIC, person in common and a real connection. After all, I was no longer just the convention business speaker, I was now Kayla's cousin; a title of which I'm very proud.
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