Speed Networking

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Speed Networking
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Quote

• Networking is about doing what your mother told
  you to never do . . . talk to strangers. Its
  like playing host at someone elses party. At a
  real level, its about learning about other
  people and finding the links that you have with
  them.

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Discussion

• How do you define networking?

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Networking defined

• networking nét wùrking
• noun 
• Definitionpractice of gathering of
  contacts the process or practice of building up
  or maintaining informal relationships, especially
  with people whose friendship could bring
  advantages such as job or business opportunities

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Speed networking

• speed networking sped nét wùrking
• noun 
• Definitionpractice of gathering of contacts
  quickly the process or practice of building up
  or maintaining informal relationships, especially
  with people whose friendship could bring
  advantages such as job or business opportunities

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Networking basics

• Pre-Work
• Introduction
• Body
• Good-bye

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Networking Pre-Work

• Have a plan!
• Meeting people does not have to be chance
• Do you have business cards?
• Do you have an opening conversation starter?
• Have you thought about what type of information
  youre seeking or skills youd like to learn
  about?
• Understand the culture if youre at an
  International location
• What types of things do you do to prepare before
  a conference or meeting where you dont know
  people?

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Networking Pre-Work

• Shaking hands
• Introducing yourself
• Smile
• Look the other person in the eye
• Place your name tag on the right

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Activity Introduction

• In the next two minutes
• Introduce yourself to as many people in the room
  as you can
• There is only one catch
• No two handshake/introduction combos can be alike
  
• Its time to get creative . . .

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Debrief

• What went well?
• What were the challenges?
• What would you do differently?

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Introduction Best Practices

• Teach your name!!!!!
• Dont limit yourself to known contacts
• Have a plan
• Give and take
• Follow up
• Have a 30 second personal pitch
• Dont be a pest
• Dont target specific people
• Use your voice, not your e-mail
• Show gratitude

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Finding commonality

• Finding Our Commonalities networking involves
  finding linkages, and building on those.
• How do you Find it? Key Questions
• What do you do? If you can answer this question
  with clarity and the listener can picture what
  you do based on your description, you will spark
  further conversation.
• Dont simply lead with the name of your
  companythats not what you do, but rather who
  pays you to do what you do. And dont use your
  title, which come and go. Start with your
  profession and strengths before giving your rank,
  name and serial number.
• What exciting things are happening at the XYZ
  Company? This is a great starter for most people
  and it can yield great info!

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Activity Closing or saying good-bye

• Your closing is just as important as your
  greeting, be sure to
• Give good eye contact
• Offer to follow-up
• Show gratitude
• Shake hands firmly
• Pair Share
• Pair off with someone and start your conversation
  with the good-bye.
• You have two minutes, be prepared to share.

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Debrief

• What went well?
• What were the challenges?
• What would you do differently?

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Good-bye - Best practices

• Prepare a 60-second biography or description
• Ask for information, don't ask for a job
• Don't pressure your network for more than it can
  easily supply
• Pass along information
• Don't use pressure tactics
• Always carry business cards
• Follow-up

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Networking toolbox

• Networking links
• http//www.women-unlimited.com
• http//www.linkedin.com
• http//www.bootstrapme.com
• http//www.fastcompany.com
• http//www.dummies.com

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Networking toolbox

• Books on networking
• How to Talk to Anyone 92 Little Tricks for Big
  Success in Relationships Leil Lowndes
• Professional Networking For Dummies Donna Fisher
• The Networking Survival Guide Diane Darling

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Closing

• Leave them with something to think about
• Suppose you met one new person a week, that is 52
  new people a year, around 2000 in a working
  lifetime.
• How many of those could have helped you further
  your career, make the sale, helped you place
  yourself for advancement?

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Closing Quote

• Make your Net-work for you!
• - Susan Kendrick

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Thank you