If you are having problems talking to people in a crowd then help is at hand.
Sabiha Rashid is the UK's first Asian networking guru and she is hoping that her expertise will help professionals grow their careers and businesses.
Before a career break Sabiha was a Female Community Development Manager at the Preston Muslim Forum (PMF) where she assisted people with careers guidance and training.
But a career change of her own has seen her establish her own business with a focus on giving business owners and professionals that extra edge when they are networking.
"Ninety-nine per cent of people find it very nervous going to events where they are likely to meet other business people and potential clients.
"What I try to do is to de-mystify the situation and break it down in to a sequence of events. It gives people more confidence and helps them to improve their communication.
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"It also motivates them to go out and network more and never have any more fears of meeting and telephoning potential clients."
Sabiha's new firm Green Banana Training House is a franchise of the more established Kintish Ltd' which boasts clients such as the Bank of England and Ernst and Young.
Her advice includes, feel good about yourself walking in to that room and to be friendly, courteous and flexible with everyone you meet.
She also suggests you look for opportunities to add value, not sell and persevere and persist but don't pester or push.
"It is an unusual career choice but I am finding it enjoyable. I did love working at the Preston Muslim Forum but I wanted another challenge which I could relate to."
"I worked with a wide variety of people at the PMF and I hope to meet many more people from different backgrounds in my new career." She recently organised her first event in Manchester with a presentation on how to be better at networking.
Emerald, which runs events in London and Manchester, aims to help young professional Muslims make business and personal contacts as well as raise money for worthy causes in the process.
The event at the Saffron Restaurant in Manchester was supported by accountants Grant Thornton and raised £1,000 towards the Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal.
Rooful Ali founder of Emerald said: "Sabiha did very well and we are pleased that she helped make the night a success. I have no doubt we will see Sabiha at Emerald again imparting more of her networking advice. I for one am better informed on how group dynamics work."
Sabiha Rashid added, "It is never easy to make your debut but I felt very well supported by the guests. I hope a made a good impression, I certainly established some valuable contacts."
For more information log on to www.kintish.co.uk or call Sabiha 01772 322332.
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