Breaking Through Your Networking Fears - Gina Romero

ASIA PACIFIC'S LEADING COMMUNITY FOR FEMALE EXECUTIVES AND ENTREPRENEURS

BREAKING

THROUGH

YOUR

NETWORKING

FEARS

The Love/Hate Relationship

We Have With Networking

What does networking mean to you?

What WORDS come to mind when you hear

the term 'networking'?

Thoughts? Ideas? Fears? Memories? Feelings?

Are they mostly negative, positive or neutral?

These associations are normally a result of

past experiences (good or bad)

or somebody else's experiences passed

on to us through sharing.

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Common words associated with ‘Networking’

Business Cards

Meeting People

Selling Yourself

Following Up

Introductions

Business Development

Referrals

Finding Clients

How do you feel about networking?

What is networking really?

Connecting

Helping

Contributing

Participating

Listening

Supporting

Sharing

Learning

Different types of networking

There are many different types of networking. Sometimes you might not even realise you are

networking!

Informal

Organised

Social

Structured/Strategic

Industry

Business Networking

Professional Body

Cause/Association

Introducing Yourself

With Impact

Think about your networking goals

- Both personal and professional

How can networking help you?

What kind of skills, resources, partners,

contacts and professional development

needs do you have?

2

List at least 3 professional or personal objectives

for the next 6-12 months

1

2

3

The true value of networking

Networking is about adding value to others

and creating meaningful connections and

relationships.

Your contribution

- what do you bring to the table?

Ice breaker

Write down one fun or interesting fact

that not many people know about you.

Introductions

Name

What you do

Why you're here

End with your fun fact

What got your attention? What was most memorable? Did it make you laugh or

smile? Did they make you want to shout "TELL ME MORE!"?

Have fun Be memorable Be yourself

Breaking Those

Awkward Silences

Before you go to a networking event

- Reflect on these points

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1. If I knew now what I knew then...

When you first started out in your industry/profession?

What did you not know that would have been really useful to you?

What do you wish someone told you about that would have helped you?

2. Play to your strengths!

What is your best asset?

What do you bring to the table?

If you were a volunteer what services would you be able to offer?

How would you help someone?

3. Be a problem solver

When you are networking, keep listening for how you can help people.

If you can't help now, listen for it and 'file it‘ for later.

Network with a ‘giving’ mindset

Pro Tips:

Do: Be a good listener - make eye contact - smile

Don't: Look around the room, or at the floor

Do: Be attentive - positive body language

Don't: Look bored, disinterested, fidget or look at your phone!

Do: Ask questions - make connections

Don't: Talk about yourself the whole time

Do: Have meaningful conversations

Don't: Work the room aggressively

Do: Be enthusiastic and friendly

Don't: Moan or be negative - or try to sell anything

Conversation Breakers and

Conversation Makers

Some questions and answers can

make it harder to build rapport

4

Unless you are naturally good at talking, start with something

a little more creative, rather than these typical openers:

• What do you do?

• Where are you from?

• I'm an 'accountant'

Use openers that break the ice:

Ah so you are from X business/company/industry...

• What kind of contacts would be valuable for you? I should connect you with xxx

• What type of businesses do you work with normally? How do you help them?

• What are you working on right now? What's keeping you busy right now?

Less formal

• I love your shoes/handbag ... I love the …

• That speaker was great … I really enjoyed that bit about

• You look familiar - were you here last year?

Throw away comments

• I'm glad the coffee is strong - I'm not really a morning person!

• I can't wait to hear from xxx speaker - the topic looks interesting!

• What's happening next? Did you see the programme?

Building a rapport takes the conversation

to a more meaningful level:

Working The Room

(And Exiting Gracefully)

The Technical Bits

5

Making an entrance

It's much harder to break into an

existing group or conversation

Look for another person who is

on their own, or arriving

Smile - and look approachable

(even if you are nervous)

Breaking into a conversation

Ask: Do you mind if I join you?

Don't jump in with your introduction yet

Listen first, and wait for relevance

Working the room

Keep an eye out for new people

Invite then into your conversation

Introduce people!

Exit gracefully

Make eye contact and be sincere

Offer to keep in touch or follow up

Repeat something you learned from them

Follow up

Always follow up on your promises

Send personal emails or not at all

Connect on social media where relevant

And finally… have fun and be yourself!

“ People will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget

how you made them feel.

- Maya Angelou

Creating Connections, Inspiring Success

www.theathenanetwork.com.sg