At a conference this week, I introduced myself to two young men. I found out they were venture capitalists, and I began to tell them what I do when one of them cut me off. “We live in Chicago,” he said. Oh. Okay.
I shifted gears and jokingly repeated an observation that I had heard from another conference goer. “So, some people say you all are like pirates,” I said. Silence. I thought it was a joke. The dagger look told me otherwise. A sore topic, I guess. I had no idea.
We talked for quite a bit longer and came to the mutual understanding that venture capitalists are, in fact, not like pirates, and I realized that one of them was pretty good-looking.
On the back their business cards, I wrote short notes to remind me of who they were. “Cute venture capitalist,” on one and “not a pirate,” on the other. Just to be clear.
The conference ended with numerous courageous spirits presenting at an event called “Elevator Pitch Olympics.” Participants pitched their business plan in ninety seconds, and then a judging panel graded their hearts and souls on a 1-5 scale.
As the first participant ended his ninety seconds, the judging panel wrote their scores on small whiteboards and held them up for the audience. Businessmen and investors around the hall yelled, “Darker markers!” and “We can’t see!”
“I can see just fine,” I replied to those around me. “You all need contacts!” The guy behind me persisted, “I can’t see!”
“What? Is my head too big?” I joked. He laughed and in an instant I knew exactly who he was. I had just made apparent to one of the biggest players in Madison that my head might be big. And that he could be blind.
I gave my brightest smile and turned back around, writing to my friend next to me, “Oh. My. God.”
8 replies on “Mishaps in networking with important people”
I’ve taken to reading people’s access badges in the hallways and elevators at my office (big office), so that way I can place a face to names I see on press releases and other “bigwig” reports. Invaluable.
Hi,
I stumbled upon your site the other day doing some research on the communication gap between Gen Y and baby boomers. As a fellow wisconsinite and Gen Y leader I really appreciate your ideas and love stopping by the blog. Keep up the good work and make sure you hit up the good shows down there at the High Noon Saloon.
Nice post. I know the feeling, as I have said some pretty stupid things in office environments. When I discussed it with some coworkers looking for support, they all teamed up on me instead and laughed at how stupid I was. I felt stupid but laughed it off.
Later I learned some of the stupid things they had done but did not originally admit. It made me feel less out of place.
So I guess, we all do stupid things but not all of us are willing to share it and live up to it. Thanks for sharing your story.
Awesome. You think like me, but dare to say it out loud. I admire that.
Oh, it stinks when that happens. But it happens – to everyone, thankfully. So that leaves room for mercy, right?
Yep, you stumbled across my new blog. Glad you like the concept. I’ve been working to polish it for a while. Now I’m just working to get more content and trying to figure out the timing of my rollout and how to best drive traffic from LRS. But I’m pretty proud of it! Thanks for stopping by. . . you’ll see more soon!
@ Norcross – That’s a great tip. I often print people’s photos off from the internet and study them before going to meetings or events. In the case that I wrote about, I knew exactly who the big player was, I just didn’t know his voice. I.e., didn’t know that he was sitting behind me until I turned around – oops! :)
@ Goose – thanks so much for your kind words. And I love the High Noon!
@ Presh – I’m the queen of admitting my mistakes! People that don’t empathize with you won’t get very far. The fact that you’re able to means that you’ll be great! But I already knew that by reading your blog… ;)
@ John – excellent! Thanks for your comment.
@ Tiffany – Yes, mercy is good. I’m excited for your new blog. Everyone should head on over!
[…] 6. Be strategic and ready for run-ins. It never fails that I am often embarrassed in front of important people. […]
Lol.
My question is, are these people really important? I work and go to school with about a million of them. The ones I’m thinking of aren’t that great. Just a thought.