Speaker at Farmington Chamber explains the art of power networking

FARMINGTON — Professional speaker and etiquette instructor Jaclyn Rowe was the guest speaker at the monthly Farmington Chamber of Commerce investor luncheon Thursday afternoon. Rowe gave the audience several pointers to help them interact while conducting business.

“All of us want to do business with people we like,” Rowe said early in her presentation. She spent the next 45 minutes offering tips on networking, introductions, use of technology in business and much more. She ended by explaining, however, that “if you lack character, you will fail.”

Rowe’s website, www.jaclynrowe.com, outlines her decade-long professional career. A well-known speaker in the Midwest, according to her website she was “ranked in the top 10 percent of speakers while working for the largest freelance speaking organization in America. 

“She is a graduate of C.L.A.S.S. Seminars (Christian Leaders Authors Speakers Seminars), First Step for Speakers by LifeChangers International, C.LA.S.S. Personality Training and Certification, Advanced Personality/Speaker Training through Personality Principles, LLC and has received numerous certifications to present and train for Monster.com’s Making It Count Programs.”

Thursday afternoon Rowe guided her audience through a checklist of “Do” and “Do Not” suggestions regarding business etiquette.

The list included such things as “Do listen 80 percent of the time by asking well-posed questions and talk only 20 percent of the time,” and “Do create a very specific reason to ask someone for a business card.”

On the other side of the page the list included, “Do not attend networking events to sell your product of service,” and “Do not monopolize anyone’s time by chatting with him or her too long … or attend networking groups that are ill-suited for you to meet potential clients.”

As for business conversation, Rowe explained that “the person listening is in control.” She reminded that networking opportunities are valuable times to meet new people, find commonalties, make business connections, and made it clear that afterward you should always “follow up” on the initial contact with a call or email.

Rowe reminded that when using email for a business conversation the message should always read like a letter, be as brief as possible, and be void of jokes or emoticons. She reiterated that electronic correspondence has no way of accurately reflecting emotion, so messages should be proofed before being sent, and not automatically take the place of a phone call or face-to-face visit.

While talking technology, the speaker suggested that cellphones be turned off during business networking opportunities. She also suggested recording a voicemail greeting that explains you will not be available for a short time, and make sure voicemail mailboxes are set up and not full. “And if you have to take a call during a meeting, explain ahead of time that you are expecting an important call, and excuse yourself from the room before answering the phone,” she added.

Attendees at the luncheon learned the proper steps for first contacts with potential clients, customers or contemporaries, including how to stand, offer a correct handshake, and make a self-introduction or introduce a third party into the conversation.

Rowe encouraged the luncheon attendees to add 50 new potential clients to their professional network each year … or one per week, allowing for two weeks of vacation. She encouraged “dressing up a notch,” and leaving the purse or briefcase in the office or car if possible when meeting new people.

Rowe continues making a name for herself as a trainer, public speaker and workshop presenter. More information about Rowe and her services can be found at www.jaclynrowe.com or by calling (573) 631-4045.

Doug Smith is a reporter for the Daily Journal. You can reach him at 573-756-8927, or at dsmith@dailyjournalonline.com.