Secrets of Successful

Networking

in Silicon ValleyMaximize your networking impact everywhere you go

Jeff RichardsonChief Transformational Engineer

Empowered Alliances

Jeff@EmpoweredAlliances.com

Networking Agreements

Be Interested

Concise Communication

Commit to Adding Value

Initiate Meaningful Conversations

How would the use of these agreements

impact networking experience?

Sincerity Reliability

Care Competence

How are you building trust within your Network?

TRUST

The Secret of Successful

Networking…

…Give something of value*

so you’ll be

remembered and referred!

(Repeat)

Before networking

Plan for networking success

Identify WHO to connect with

Select WHERE to meet people

Define WHAT to focus on

Prepare your intro & questions

Envision being successful

Conversation Starters

1. Compliment the other person

2. Ask a conversation starting question

that…

Is relevant to event/situation

Draws out person’s interests and/or needs

That YOU already have an answer to

What would you start if

you knew you could not

fail?

Conversation Starting Questions

What are you

passionate about?

What problems are

you working on now?

What interests you

about (topic)?

What do you like most

about ______?

Conversation Starters

1. Compliment the other person

2. Ask a conversation starting question

3. Short answer to “What do you do?”

Create intrigue and framed as “Who Am I?”

Adjective + professional title (Creative SW Engineer)

Catchy title (Chief Transformational Engineer)

Career direction (“I’ve been a __, but I’d rather be __”)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Connect withBiz cards

collected

Biz Cards from

Key People

Biz Cards from targeted

industry/role/company

Add Value

Commit to

adding value

with follow-up

Share value right

NOW

Connect them to their

‘right’ person in the room

Add Value to

Leaders

Help with

setup/cleanup

Listen for need &

volunteer

Look for ways to add

value to the group

LONG TERM

Present My

Self/Biz

“What brings

me here is…”

10sec & 30sec

elevator pitch to

create intrigue

“The value in connecting

with me is…”

Networking

skill building

Intros & exit

statements

Asking insightful

questions

”Steering” the

conversation

Networking Goal Setting

Increase the challenge as you grow!

During networking

Stick to your networking plan

Stay FOCUSED on your goals

Connect with KEY PEOPLE

INITIATE meaningful dialog

Listen for ways to add value

Collect biz cards & take notes

Gravitate Toward the Group

Join the Crowd (meet more people in less time)

◦ Breaking in:

“Hi, mind if I join the conversation? “

“What are you talking about?”

◦ Inviting others to join YOUR group:

“Would you like to join us ? “,

then open a space in the circle and

summarize what group was sharing

Gravitate Toward the Group

Leaving the Conversation

◦ “Excuse me”(walk away with

purpose)

◦ “I’m going to mingle a little more to

meet (target audience). Do you

know anyone like that here?”

◦ “Do you have a card? I’d like to

talk more about ____ when we

have more time.”

Let’s PRACTICE!!!

Keep Networking Agreements in mind

Set and achieve TWO specific goals

Break in/out of AT LEAST one group

One minute to prepare

I'm Good Enough,

I'm Smart Enough,

And People Like Me!

Networking Agreements

Be Interested

Concise Communication

Commit to Adding Value

Initiate Meaningful Conversations

How would the use of these agreements

impact networking experience?

After networking

Follow-thru by adding value

Evaluate WHAT WORKED

FOLLOW UP with key people

Refer individuals you TRUST

Use tags to define subgroups

Invest in influential contacts

Valuable Connections 4 Me?

Technology Directors @ Midsized Companies

◦ Need to spark innovation within their project teams

◦ Struggling with cross-functional collaboration projects

◦ Investing in new multi-national partnerships

Associations Leaders

◦ Impactful and engaging keynotes at events

Secrets of Successful Networking

Innovating on the Inside

Neuroscience of Team Effectiveness

Jeff RichardsonChief Transformational Engineer at Empowered Alliances

Jeff@EmpoweredAlliances.com