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The act of networking is not so common in France. It is perhaps related to the fact that French employees usually stay for a long period in the same company, so they don’t feel the need to extend their network.

It can be challenging to arrive in California and hear that it is not only what you know that matters but more who you know.

I understand that it is helpful to develop your network, but my preference goes for quality rather than quantity in terms of connections.

I remember a person I met at a networking event. She was very good at exchanging business cards while going from one person to another, but I don’t think her name will come first to my mind if I need services similar to what she offers.

This person contacted me twice: the first time was few days after we met, and the second time was two or three months later. Both times, the same scenario happened: she sent me an email to suggest that we meet for a coffee, and she would finish her message by asking if I knew companies looking for contractors. My answer was the same both times: I suggested a place and date to discuss and told her I was not aware of current openings or positions. We never met because she never replied back to my messages.

Adding a new connection to your network is one thing, but maintaining the link and building trust is another story.

Usually people already have an idea of the persons they want to work with when they have a new project, so do not wait until the last minute to build a sustainable network.

Looking for entrepreneurial stories

Few days ago, during a conference for entrepreneurs, I decided to ask few of them to share a little bit of their entrepreneurial stories in front of a camera.

I thought it would be easy for entrepreneurs to talk about their stories during three to five minutes. But in fact, I discovered that was not the case.

The main reason I got from people reluctant to speak in front of a camera was that they did not feel comfortable presenting something. For instance, I got responses such as “I am not a good speaker” and “She has a new business but will be too shy to talk to you” or “I can give you the contact of another person I know because he is used to giving presentations.”

Marketing yourself

I did not push further with them because I understood their reaction; after all, I had experienced similar reactions in the past.

In my case, I also think it is due to a difference of culture between Europe and the U.S. In general, an American professional seems to feel more comfortable marketing himself and his business than a European person typically does.

Several years ago during a company dinner I attended, one manager who had experience working with American companies decided to entertain and motivate the teams. He asked everybody to stand up around the tables and take each other’s hands in order to make a circle around each table. Then we had to raise the hands several times while loudly saying the name of the company. Everybody did it, but we found that a little bit ridiculous even though I think his goal was reached in that it gave people a little bit of a boost and provided a bit more dynamism until the end of the night.

Overcoming your fear

To come back to my initial comment about having your shyness and fear block you from talking about your passion, ask yourself: Who will you convince if you don’t feel comfortable sharing your experience?

Not everybody is a natural speaker, and having English as your second language can also be another difficulty. But we can always get help to improve ourselves. A tip that works for me: when the job needs to be done, I focus on the result and think about my worries later.

When I was a kid, during an English class we read a text that said, “You can not have fear if you don’t have imagination.” Sometimes you can overcome your fear if you don’t focus so much on the potential bad scenarios—which will even not happen in most of the cases!

In France September is usually considered as the month for coming back to school or to work after the summer vacation: we call that “La rentrée”.

Yesterday was Labor Day, which marked the end of my last long weekend for this summer. So I have decided to consider today as my “rentrée” and created new ideas and resolutions to follow.

It is good to find occasions:

• to think about your past projects and get new ideas about what you can do differently and better.
• to challenge yourselves with new goals to achieve.
• to go beyond your “safe” boundaries.

If your new projects seem too complex, you can split them into smaller tasks to make accomplishing them a more realistic goal. Resolutions are difficult to keep, so even small steps are fine and can be whatever you want: bring your own cup to work instead of using paper cups, make sure to check one item of your To Do list every day, come back with at least five business cards after your next networking event, etc…

Bonne rentrée 😉

People can learn how to provide good services to customers, but it will make the difference in the quality of service if enjoying solving problems for others and paying attention to them is part of your personality.

I have worked with excellent support engineers who really cared about the client issues, and their attitudes didn’t change once they finished talking to the customers over the phone. There is no switch to turn on or off your spirit when interacting with others, even though some techniques will help you face unhappy clients. If you don’t come across as natural, your customers will feel it.

The other day I went to the bank, and the lady who took care of me started telling me how nice my shirt was and other things I can’t now remember. She had a very big smile. Then she asked if I wanted to open another account… I politely answered no. I think she didn’t remember me because we had a similar conversation few months earlier.

A few days later I was waiting in line at a cafeteria close to the bank, and when it was my turn to order my food the same lady suddenly appeared in front of me and told the owner she was in a hurry before giving him her order. I was not in a rush so I let her get her sandwich, but then she left without acknowledging me. I didn’t see the usual smile she had during business hours: she did not recognize me.

I was thinking about upgrading my current services with the bank, but guess what will be my answer the next time she suggests me new services…