Networking, building conversations for business

NetworkingBuilding conversations for business…

Women in Business Networks5 – 7pm Wednesday 23rd March 2011

What do you think about

networking

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

The process looks like this1. Meet people2. Mutual liking3. Building trust

Networking is a relationship building exercise. WHAT IS NETWORKING?

WHY NETWORK?

Networking…

Did you know that:• 65% of the worlds business is generated through referral.

• A referral is 80% more likely to result in business than a cold call.

• Every business woman or man has of average 250 further business contacts (statistic prior 2009 and evolution of social networking*).

• 6 degrees of separation. Ireland @3 degrees. Social media reduces degrees further.

A persons network

…what you don’t see when you meet someone+ social network value add

Delivering your

#Business #Brand #Story

What do you want out of Networking? What's available?

How you present your business

How you present yourself…

What did you just learn?

So how do you build conversationsfor business

Take responsibility to communicateBe proactive

Connect people and businessesPass opportunities on

Don’t expect anything in return

RULES OF ENGAGMENT

1. Be approachable, friendly and professional2. Introduce yourself, say your name and the name of

your company clearly3. Listen to the other person’s name. If you do not catch it

ask them to repeat it "I'm sorry I did not catch your name?“

4. Listen, ask pertinent questions respond5. Talk6. Ask open questions7. Listen carefully for an opportunity

RULES OF ENGAGMENT contd.

8. Follow up professionally after spotting that opportunity

9. Ask for an introduction to someone else in the event10. End the conversation, exchange business cards…not always a must

11. Move away12. If you have promised to follow up do so

Making it easy when you find it hard

Getting your networking game on

Parking the mental chatter

How to get into a conversation when you come in to a room of strangers

How to end conversations

‘what will I say?’

HELLO...

My name

is...

Skills for remembering names and faces

• Be fully present• Listen• Make sure you hear the right name for the

right person• Repeat their name as soon after you hear it• Use thought associations for names, initials

After the conversation

• Do what you say you are going to do• Put people in contact, connect them• Follow up• Go for coffee• Continue to build trust by building relationships

Towards a networking strategy?

Focuses on your business needsNew clients are one elementAlign with business objectives

Decide what you wants & needs are in terms of networking Research and explore how? And where?Write your networking strategy and include a budget

The secret of successful networking

• Be interested rather then interesting• Listen• Have a business card• Introduce people to each other• Be inclusive• Do what you say you will do

GREAT networking QUESTIONS:

“Who would you like me to introduce you to?”

“How can I know if someone I’m talking to will be a good introduction for you?”

What things?

Lets see that in action

YouUnknow

nYou known

Find other people that neither of you know and taking turns introducing each other

Go introduce yourself to someone you have not meet before

Contact

http://creativedynamic.blogspot.comhttp://about.me/RoisinMarkham

Live local work global.

#353(0)86.1546163

Roisin Markham

Success through Innovation, Creativity and Action!

[email protected]

@creativedynamix

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