Cynthia M. Martínez
Creator of My Barely Famous Life and Founder Lead Up Labs

Technology has come to eliminate borders, but sometimes I feel like it is taking away the ability to have an effective conversation. In meetings and conferences, I often see leaders have great trouble connecting with other people effectively. When they finally get the attention of that key prospect or person who will contribute to their professional growth, they don't know what to say or how to act. If they are investors or clients, the uncertainty they feel is worse when we involve the word money in the conversation. Today I would like to give you strategies to be effective when speaking with a person of interest on a professional level:

1. Look for the right opportunity. The ideal moment does not exist, but we must take into consideration that there are strategic moments to talk about specific topics. Sometimes it is ideal to be selective when we choose to work on our projects.

2. Show genuine interest in their tastes. Don't say things just to please. Transparency, maintaining clear ideals and remaining upright in our beliefs is essential when speaking with a colleague or prospect, especially when the angle of the conversation is a financial one. Listen and be curious about what is being said and remember details when following up with the contact or finding it elsewhere.

3. If they are using electronic devices during your conversation, take long pauses and if they repeat this behavior three times, in a friendly manner with a very cordial tone, tell them: “Calm down, continue, I hope you finish.” Usually the person explains to me what is happening to them and I use what they tell me to help them solve their problem or give me a new topic of conversation.

Ending each conversation by exchanging a way to stay in touch and then the next day contacting that person thanking them for the conversation or meeting has been key in my networking experiences. I recognize that making new contacts on a professional level can be challenging, but not impossible.

You can use it as a development opportunity. Working on your communication skills will help you in all areas of your life, from work to personal. I would like to challenge you to have professional growth conversations more often, to make appointments with your family or partner to talk about personal finances.

Talk about those topics that contribute so much to your future and that the strategies that I share today allow you to exceed all your expectations in your goals so that you continue building an unforgettable year.

About the Author:

Cynthia M. Martinez is a rebel with a cause, entrepreneur, and life and business strategist with a specialty in leadership and innovation. As part of her extensive trajectory as a strategist, she has been developing leaders in the field of direct sales, market opening, and consulting at the corporate and SME levels for more than a decade. She is the creator of the social media movement in a blog format called "My barely famous life" in which she equips followers with leadership and technology tools through her educational program. She is also the founder of Lead Up Labs, a digital platform that has all the tangible and digital tools for participants to increase their productivity and achieve their goals.