Networking for Entrepreneurs - Hugh Kruzel (NORCAT)

Hugh Kruzel

Building a network of contacts is an effective, and necessary, process for business, career development, and all areas of your personal life.

Who else is going to promote you? Drop leads/never do follow-ups Don’t answer emails Watch any potential evaporate See future income/profits

decline/disappear Support whither Who?

net·workˈnetˌwərk/verbgerund or present participle: networkingconnect as or operate with a network."the stock exchanges have proven to be resourceful in networking these deals"link (machines, especially computers) to operate interactively."networked workstations"interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one's career."the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"

… and then we forgot

What do you think is the key to success in networking?

With everyone!All ages… all abilitiesThe person who gives you your coffeeSmile first or smile back. Say helloSmile when answering the phoneLook in the mirror… is this a person you would want to meet?

Is it because politicians are said to network?Because the word is overused?Because your parents use this word?Because it feels you are “using” someone?Because you want something?

Who are the right people? Isn’t everyone?Do you feel “Networked”?

Is it: building a bigger network?Having more contacts?An ecosystem most stable when there is diversityCan you pick up the phone and ask for help?

I write; these two people conduct. It is essential we network.Belong to C of C or other organizations.Toastmasters?

What to do with Business Cards?Do you have cards?How to hand / acceptWhat’s next?Let’s have chat… open your envelopes please

Be everywhere?Are you a brand?What would Richard Branson do?

Open doorsBe openBe willingBe engagedJump inIs this the way to weigh/judge?

Two ears… one pie holeBreak bread with peopleFind out your points of intersection and commonalities

The Jim Pattison Foundation:medical/health, educationPhilanthropy

At 87 Jim still runs his own business Grocery, car dealerships, radio, fishing, forestry…Had $9 Billion in sales in 2015!Has fun: bought John Lennon’s psychedelic car then donated it to promote tourism

Seriously? You didn’t send a “Thank You” note! What are you thinking? This is hugely important.

What about Twitter, LinkedIn, Ask.fm, Yik Yak, Whisper, Burn Note, Skout, Vine, YouNow…other platforms? More…Of course sharing has its pluses and pitfalls – engage with purpose.

I am a fan of Twitter but the number of users is dropping, the join rate is now flat, and with policies that still are a “wild west” countless upstarts are nipping at their heels.

“Instagram and WhatsApp now have more users than Twitter, and the teen-friendly SnapChat is not far behind” – Leah McLaren Globe and Mail Friday February 5th, 2016

Whether you use Facebook or another platform remember it must be “fed” and what about effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategies?

On average engaged companies 20-25 T/mIs your stream sparse or a scream of messaging?Is SM just advertizing?Is leveraging an audience the goal?Can 140 characters be enough? Concise/Creative/ThoughtfulCan be done rapidly, anytime, by manyBut that has its own challengesWhat about Blogging?

Highlight recent mentions or successes Talk about your skills / expertise Speak about the value you bring Shoutouts to others in your network strengthens links Promote events / opportunities for interaction Highlight what is unique about your business Talk about the values you support Fun place to work? Tweet out about office

- Adapted from Rotman Magazine and report in “Eight Twitter Tips for Busy Executives” by Harvey Schachter The Globe and Mail 01 Feb 2016

This person knows how to make it workShe sends out reflections fromSeth GodinThey are positive affirmationsShe is focused…Can we learn from her?AskEngageCultivate your network

Community involvementBoard of DirectorsPeople /leaders in your industryHandshakeBe inclusive… introduce others

Face-to -face / the phone / mail / social media / Conventions, conferences, daily activities, active searches …

Sometimes, idealistic people are put off the whole business of networking as something tainted by flattery and the pursuit of selfish advantage. But virtue in obscurity is rewarded only in Heaven. To succeed in this world you have to be known to people.Sonia Sotomayor

Sure it sounds hokey but Gord and I share the same birth date

Personal relationships are always the key to good business. You can buy networking; you can't buy friendships.Lindsay Fox

You can never have enough friends

You determine what it is for you