There was a day, that I truly experience a proper networking in business environment.
It was my third day of internship in a SME. The good thing in SME is you get to try everything under a sun and this is what MNC cannot provides.
My boss, for some reason asked me to attend a Customer Relationship Management workshop alone. Well I mean I have no idea what the heck is that and hey it is my 3rd day!
So I happily go with my supervisors name cards in case I banged myself into some sticky situations so I can put my supervisors in front.
Upon entering the room, it was quite shocking. 5 persons. One presenter and 4 bosses aged between 50-60 and they are all business owners. They gave me a weird look though and I can feel the climate isn’t favorable for me. I bet their first impression is ” what this kid is doing here?” I can feel I am being “analyzed”.
Well, I always remember to keep my feet on the ground. Still have no idea how to turn the situation, I acted professionally, put down my briefcase and open it to pretend I am here for something.
They was talking to each other, start giving out cards among themselves and that moment I really feel isolated and it was a real odd situation.
Eventually, I got up, start giving them my supervisors card and lied that I ran out of my own card. Being a 3-day intern, I am amazed I start promoting the company like I am promoting my own company. Kudo!
Then I start pouring water for them (pathetic huh), to turn the whole environment around favorable to me. I keep my tone a bit heavy so that I can project a mature and “he knows something” image but trust me at that moment I know nuts. If they would have probe deeper, I am officially dead.
The lesson I figured out that day is, age has a direct relationship with credibility and experience.
This reminded me of one of my favorite entrepreneur, Ben Casnocha which founded a company called Comcate at the age of 16. I believe he must have been so mature at his age and so much more capable.
Keep cool at any situation and u will be fine …..most of the time…
