NETWORKING

Use the Power of a Network to Ensure Your Success!!

What Is Networking?

Networks—groups of people who talk and share ideas, information, and resources.

Networking—discovering connections between people.

Business Organizations and Networking Groups

• Casual Contact Networks

• Strong Contact Networks

• Professional Associations/ Knowledge Networks

• Community Service Clubs

• Social/Business Organizations

Build on Contacts

• Set goals to add to your contacts• Follow up immediately• Get to know your contact• Stay in contact

– Compliment– Ask a question– Referral– Educate– Surprise

Build on Contacts

• Invest time and effort to help others• Nurture your own network• Get outside the traditional work

environment• Bring your network together

–Facilitate the meeting of contacts

–Invite new people to join

Approachability Guidelines

1. Don’t intend to sell anything. 

2. Set a goal or outcome for the event.

3. Do your homework.

4. Dress appropriately.

5. Wear a name tag on your right side.

Approachability Guidelines

6. Have a good handshake, smile and eye contact.

7. Use “Pause–Part–Punch” with your name.

8. Introduce yourself with information about the occasion or the other person.

9. Have an exit strategy.

10. Follow up.

Networking Plan

1. My Goal – Purpose

2. What relationships do I have/need?

3. How do I best access them?

4. What value can I bring? Bring it.

5. Establish how much time per week to devote and schedule it in.

6. Be patient, but monitor results over a sufficient period of time.

Personal Branding Statement

The Elevator Speech

• General target you serve

• Needs typically addressed

• Reference your organization

• Your value proposition – or Branding Statement

Relationship Building Links

Networking Do’sNetworking Do’s

• Be genuine and authentic, building trust and Be genuine and authentic, building trust and relationshipsrelationships

• Develop your goals for each networking Develop your goals for each networking meetingmeeting

• Visit groups that spark your interestVisit groups that spark your interest• Hold volunteer positionsHold volunteer positions• Ask Open-Ended questionsAsk Open-Ended questions• Become known as a resource to othersBecome known as a resource to others• Articulate what you are looking for & what you Articulate what you are looking for & what you

dodo• Follow through quickly and efficiently on Follow through quickly and efficiently on

referralsreferrals• Understand the needs of the people you are Understand the needs of the people you are

networking with and offer some value to THEMnetworking with and offer some value to THEM• Try to contact one person per day Try to contact one person per day • Go beyond your industryGo beyond your industry

Networking Don’ts Networking Don’ts

• Don’t fear the ‘big shots’Don’t fear the ‘big shots’• Don’t corner a ‘heavy-hitter’ with Don’t corner a ‘heavy-hitter’ with

your personal life story at a social your personal life story at a social eventevent

• Don’t hand out business cards to Don’t hand out business cards to everyone everyone

• Don’t only talk to people you knowDon’t only talk to people you know• Don’t waste time talking to ‘Me-ers’Don’t waste time talking to ‘Me-ers’• Don’t drink too much at evening Don’t drink too much at evening

events– obviously!events– obviously!• Don’t expect anythingDon’t expect anything• Don’t dismiss anyone as irrelevantDon’t dismiss anyone as irrelevant• Don’t take ‘NO’ personallyDon’t take ‘NO’ personally

WE ARE DONE WITH IT!!!