Marketing Yourself For Success

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Marketing Yourself For Success

• Rich Kenny
• 7-Eleven, Inc.
• The Great Lakes Division

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Goals of Workshop

• Importance of networking
• 50 minutes to learn 3 4 strategies on
  networking

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Beginning Tidbits

• Nametags Right side (can sneak a peek) You can
  address by name, has info to start conversation
• Purses/Briefcases Left side
• Business Cards
• Eating Table hog Balancing act

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Handshakes Communication

• Jellyfish Spineless
• Finger Squeeze Dont touch
• Knuckle Breaker Power play
• Covered Hand Power play or warmth
• Proper Handshake A nice firm handshake,
  maintain eye contact, a few seconds

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Do These Thoughts Sound Familiar?

• No one wants to talk with me Im only a student.
• I dont know enough to engage these people in an
  intelligent conversation.
• Ive always had trouble meeting people its just
  the way I am.
• These people are important. I shouldnt waste
  their time.
• Negative thoughts stop us in our tracks

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• Remove the Stumbling Blocks to Effective People
  Networking

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Stumbling Block

• What should I do when I get there?

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Remove Stumbling Block

• Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

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Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

• Have an agenda - focus on what you want out of
  the meeting.
• Be clear on your areas of expertise.
• Know your long and short term career goals.

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Stumbling Block

• I wont know anyone there?

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Remove Stumbling Block

• What is a stranger? Re-evaluate your definition.

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Re-evaluate Your Definition Of Stranger

• Our mom warned us not to talk to strangers as a
  child for our own good. This advice worked
  better when we were younger, but now that we are
  older we forget to turn off the warning.

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Re-evaluate Your Definition Of Stranger

• Street corner stranger caution Meeting/confere
  nce/workshop something in common.
• Identify commonalties
• Use commonalties as basis for conversation (ice
  breakers)
• During conversation look for commonalties

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Stumbling Block

• What do I say?

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Remove Stumbling Block

• Practice a self introduction
• Change your thinking and thus, your behavior

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Self Introduction Cont....

• Different events need different intros
• Business What line of work are you in?
• Social How you are connected with the
  gathering?
• Introduce yourself and tell the person something
  about yourself that identifies your common
  interest.

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Self Introduction Exercise

• Introduce yourself to someone and discover two
  things of interest.

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Stumbling Block

• I wont know what to do when I get there.

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Remove Stumbling Block

• Move from guest behavior to host behavior.

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Move from Guest Behavior to Host Behavior

• Hosts meet people, start conversations, introduce
  others, and make their guests feel comfortable.
• Guests let others take their coat, introduce them
  to others, and have others wait upon them.
• Hosts have something to do, Guests do not.

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Guest to Host Behavior Cont....

• Survey the room (others guests, refreshments,
  restroom, outside conversation areas).
• Make yourself comfortable dont rely on others
  to do it for you.
• Approach others for self-introductions.
• Bring others together (after talking to them,
  introduce them to someone else).
• Pour someone a drink, get hors doeuvres, etc.
  (act as a host).

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Break For Refreshments

• We are going to give you 10 minutes to mingle,
  have refreshments.
• Here is your task We want you to meet as many
  people as you can during this time, remembering
  the things that you have just learned.

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END BREAK!
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Stumbling Block

• What if I make a fool out of myself?

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Remove Stumbling Block

• Get out of your Comfort Zone, take a risk!

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Take a Risk!

• Some people may not respond to introduction.
  Dont take it personally - just move on.
• Remember what you wanted to accomplish at the
  networking event (Examples learn more about a
  career, develop job leads, sell a business idea,
  etc.).

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Take Risk! Cont....

• Treat EVERYONE as you would like to be treated
  (besides being the correct thing to do, you never
  know who might be helpful to you).
• Physically move around (you cant work a room in
  a sitting position).
• Have a sense of humor

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Stumbling Block

• What if everyone is in
• groups and there is
• no one to talk to?

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Remove Stumbling Block

• Learn how to Merge.

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Merging

• Dont break in on an intense conversation
• Move to groups of 3 or more stand close to the
  group giving facial feedback. Once eye contact
  or verbal acknowledgement is received, join the
  conversation.
• Be open to others who want in the group.

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Quick Conversation Detours

• For a quick greeting say excuse me, I just
  wanted to say hello then move away. You may be
  asked to join / and it may be a welcomed break
  for the group.
• I have rescued people before!
• If interrupted in a conversation, say you will
  catch up with them later after you finish this
  conversation.

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Moving On

• You should spend no more than 8 10 minutes with
  a person.
• After you finish speaking on the topic, say, It
  was nice meeting you. Then move on.

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Final Advise

• Before leaving, thank the Host/Hostess.
• When ready to leave, LEAVE!

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Ending Tidbits

• Questions?

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ANY IDEAS? We want your input!