Comments on: Ten Thoughts for Better Networking on the Golf Course http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/08/24/ten-thoughts-for-better-networking-on-the-golf-course/ Mimi Spangler's Blog on Rainmaking and Business Development Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:48:43 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Lisa Chenofsky Singer http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/08/24/ten-thoughts-for-better-networking-on-the-golf-course/comment-page-1/#comment-36768 Lisa Chenofsky Singer Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:40:36 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=419#comment-36768 Golf or any other networking events, provide the opportunity to show your personality. People tend to hire people they like being with. If they like your style, sense of humor and overall reactions to issues as they appear throughout the event, you will be viewed positively. When a job opening or opportunity arises, the individuals you spent time with will remember you, especially if you remained in contact. So, remember it is the daily engaging of individuals around you and the engaging done at networking events where you will be remember for the positive impressions made - think about this as you engage each day! Golf or any other networking events, provide the opportunity to show your personality. People tend to hire people they like being with. If they like your style, sense of humor and overall reactions to issues as they appear throughout the event, you will be viewed positively. When a job opening or opportunity arises, the individuals you spent time with will remember you, especially if you remained in contact. So, remember it is the daily engaging of individuals around you and the engaging done at networking events where you will be remember for the positive impressions made – think about this as you engage each day!

]]> By: Gary Pines http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/08/24/ten-thoughts-for-better-networking-on-the-golf-course/comment-page-1/#comment-36761 Gary Pines Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:16:20 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=419#comment-36761 Lee, Excellent additions to my commentary. You do find out a lot about a person in how they conduct themselves on the golf course. Also, excellent point on etiquette and knowing what to do on a golf course. Very important for a host to know. Thanks for your comments. Gary Lee,

Excellent additions to my commentary.
You do find out a lot about a person in how they conduct themselves on the golf course.
Also, excellent point on etiquette and knowing what to do on a golf course. Very important for a host to know.

Thanks for your comments.

Gary

]]> By: Lee http://www.hardingco.com/blog/2009/08/24/ten-thoughts-for-better-networking-on-the-golf-course/comment-page-1/#comment-36759 Lee Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:46:32 +0000 http://www.hardingco.com/blog/?p=419#comment-36759 Agreed, golf is all about fun, you don't have to be a good player... but it sure helps a lot if you have played a bit and understand basic course etiquette. If you are new to golf and want to use the game for business development, please take a series of lessons from your local pro, including a playing lesson and short game lessons, before inviting clients out for a round and subjecting them to your new hobby. Tell the pro why you are taking lessons, and he / she will provide additional insights. Then, register as a single golfer to get paired with complete strangers on a few Saturday mornings at local courses to see how others conduct themselves on the course, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Learn how to keep up. Watch where everybody stands, when they compliment each other, how to mark a ball properly (BEHIND the ball, not in front of it) and when it is appropriate to whine about unlucky bounces, old sports injuries, bad course design, etc. Finally, develop your vices. How much can you drink on the course and still function? My limit is one beer per nine. Learn the basics of golf gambling if the client insists upon playing for money. Golf is full of very old traditions (namely, gambling and drinking) that might mean a lot to your clients. True, golf is a great way to develop long business relationships, but when a vendor invites me out to play, I often learn much more about him than I had ever wanted to know. And yes, I have stopped doing business with people as a result of a round of golf, because they obviously did not have a clue. Agreed, golf is all about fun, you don’t have to be a good player… but it sure helps a lot if you have played a bit and understand basic course etiquette. If you are new to golf and want to use the game for business development, please take a series of lessons from your local pro, including a playing lesson and short game lessons, before inviting clients out for a round and subjecting them to your new hobby. Tell the pro why you are taking lessons, and he / she will provide additional insights.

Then, register as a single golfer to get paired with complete strangers on a few Saturday mornings at local courses to see how others conduct themselves on the course, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Learn how to keep up. Watch where everybody stands, when they compliment each other, how to mark a ball properly (BEHIND the ball, not in front of it) and when it is appropriate to whine about unlucky bounces, old sports injuries, bad course design, etc.

Finally, develop your vices. How much can you drink on the course and still function? My limit is one beer per nine. Learn the basics of golf gambling if the client insists upon playing for money. Golf is full of very old traditions (namely, gambling and drinking) that might mean a lot to your clients.

True, golf is a great way to develop long business relationships, but when a vendor invites me out to play, I often learn much more about him than I had ever wanted to know. And yes, I have stopped doing business with people as a result of a round of golf, because they obviously did not have a clue.

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