Work and Pleasure

Mixing work and pleasure: went dancing with Sophie and the first person I spoke to is a teacher at Leicester College. First thing I mention is the large ASB workshop the YC ran last year, but straight away Sophie says "I'm sure you want to talk about work on a night out" sarcastically. Fair enough I thought and changed the topic. 

Now here's the problem, that was a lost networking opportunity for myself on the YC and actually now I think about it, for her also because she could've increased her profile at the college by helping organise an event. I get Sophie's point though and in the future I shouldn't thrust networking in peoples faces, keep conversation non work, but remember anything work related and bring it up at the right time. E.g. Rather than mentioning the YC, say that it's interesting she works at the college, ask what she teaches and how many pupils (but not 21 Q's), then remember these useful facts and write them down somewhere (get a networking notepad?). Wait until the next dancing session and ask if she would like to go for a drink with me and Sophie afterwards, or Coffee over lunch, then take the opportunity to talk about your job, the YC, and book an event. That's networking! But more subtle. Play your cards right.

I'm only just starting to figure out what those cards are...