Networking for entrepreneurs

Networking for Entrepreneurs

Bonnie Hacking, University of St Andrews

Agenda

• What is networking and what makes networking important to you and your venture

• How to network successfully

One thing I can offer to other entrepreneurs is…

Business networking is the process of establishing a mutually beneficial

relationship with other business people and potential clients and/or customers.

Discussion:What people and organisations would be useful to

you in getting your business up and running?

Step 1 – Setting goals

Step 2 – Meeting people

and making connections

Step 3 – Sharing

information

Step 4 – Following up

Where do you start?

Step 1 – Setting goals

• Set goals for what you want to get out of networking, it might be:– Marketing yourself and your venture– Finding information to solve a business

problem– Finding customers– Finding support or finance– Building relationships with people who can

help you

Activity

• List 5 ways networking can help you with your business– Prioritise 3 of these reasons and state them

as goals– Identify networking opportunities

Five reasons

Example - Need to sell more products

Three goals

Find new customers and sell more products.

Networking opportunities

Join the community youth group

Step 2 – Meeting people and making connections

• Make a good impression– Make eye contact– Genuine smile– Handshake

• Show real interest in those you meet– Ask questions!!– Listen carefully to the answers

Activity – Who’s in your network?

• Make a list of people you know– Friends and family– Neighbours– Community leaders– Business people

• For each person, ask yourself:– Can they give me advice to improve my business?– Can I sell my service / product to them?– Can they refer customers to me?– Can they put me in contact with someone else?

• Where else can you meet people?

Step 3 – Sharing information

• Purpose is to build a relationship!• Participate actively

– If you can introduce someone you meet to someone else you know, do so

– If you can provide any information to help them, do so

• Exchange contact details, business cards are ideal

Step 4 – Following up

• MOST IMPORTANT!!!!• Do it soon after you meet.• Written in the first instance

– Provide background on where you met and the reason you are getting in touch

– Explain why you want to meet / talk further.– Indicate you will call shortly to make an

appointment– Call!!!

Hints and tips

• Greet each new acquaintance with an openness to learn more about that person, a willingness to help, and an offer to stay in touch.

• Groups of 3 are easier to join in• Have 3-4 questions ready to ask

– How did you get into the field you are in?– What projects are you currently working on?– What do you like best about what you do?

• Don’t be afraid to say ‘nice to meet you’ and move on• Note on the business card what you should ask them

Events in Moscow

Russo-British Chamber of Commerce www.rbcc.com

Global Business Networking – Launch of the Autumn Season

The event will start on : 20 Sep 11 19:00And will end on : 20 Sep 11 22:00

At : tbc (Moscow)

Click here to register : [email protected]

Phone +7 (495) 961 21 60 ext. 116

Online resources

www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/networking

www.networkingeffectively.com

www.marketingforsuccess.com/networking-guide/

www.businessknowhow.com/tips/networking.htm

Bonnie HackingEnterprise Adviser, Careers CentreUniversity of St Andrews

Email: [email protected]

@BonnieH1