Conferences and conventions are great places for meeting people, but it can be a little nerve-wracking to introduce yourself to random strangers. Plugging in a power strip can make the whole process a lot easier.
Photo by Jannis Andrija Schnitzer.
If you’re looking to meet some people, but would rather they come to you, Jonathan Long at Entrepreneur suggests you pack a power strip in your day bag and set up at a power outlet:
Everyone in attendance is armed with mobile devices, tablets and laptops — making power outlets the most valuable commodity at a conference. Throw an entire power strip in your bag. This accomplishes two things — your devices will never be without a charge and you will become an instant conference hero to those around you.
People will see the power strip and assume you’re inviting others to charge up their devices as well. You’ve already got something to start off the conversation, and you can slide right into a simple introduction or conversation about the conference.
Better yet, if there’s a group of people waiting to charge around an outlet already, you can approach and save the day that way too. Giving before you ask for anything from anyone is one of the major rules of successful networking, and everyone will be grateful you gave them power.
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Comments
2 responses to “Break The Ice And Make Friends At Conferences By Bringing A Power Strip”
In the early ’70s I didn’t smoke but having a pack of cigarettes was a babe magnet.
“People will see the power strip and assume you’re inviting others to charge up their devices as well. “
The conference was going well up until that point.
The ensuing fight over available power points ended up with the entire attendee audience being banned from the conference room.
Seriously though, this is a great tip and one I use myself, though usually for my own devices.
There’s always someone with a smartphone that can’t last past 10am, and when they see row upon row of available power points, their eyes light up like you’ve become their new pusher.
(Hums Steppenwolfs Pusher Man quietly)