epic networking - 10 commandments
DESCRIPTION
November Business Breakfast Series Presentation By David PeaseTRANSCRIPT
Become an Epic Networker: 10 Commandments to Build your
Professional Connections
David Pease, SPHR
Executive Vice President –
Chief Resource Officer
Androscoggin Bank
I. THOU SHALT KNOW THE
5 W’S OF NETWORKING. . .
The W’s of Networking –
What?
• Network [nétwerk] Noun & Verb.
A group of people who exchange information,
contacts and experience for professional or social
purposes. (The Oxford Dictionary)
• You need people in your life and they need you.
Networking is building meaningful relationships
before you need them. Networking is a strategic,
ongoing lifelong effort. (David Pease)
The W’s of Networking –
Why?
• You network to meet people, find a new job,
enhance your current role, expand your career,
explore new career options, recruit employees,
obtain referrals/sales or simply to broaden your
horizons---it is important to focus on networking to
identify contacts for future mutual benefit.
• Who learned about their current job through a
contact? Who met their spouse or significant other
through a friend or family members?
The W’s of Networking –
Who?
new friends
family
local colleagues
old friends
former colleagues
colleagues at other offices
Just a click
away…
virtual communities
Business leaders
old classmates
Family friends
School alumni
School
Networks
The W’s of Networking –
Where?
Professional
Association
Networks
Formal
Networks
Entrepreneurial
Networks
Regional
Networks
Industry
Networks
Social
Networks
Electronic
Networks
Informal
Networks
Community
Organization
Networks
Business
organizations
The W’s of Networking –
When?
Every day.
Every where.
With everyone…
All the time.
II. THOU SHALT JUST DO IT. . .
“No one knows everyone,
everyone knows someone.
No one knows everything,
everyone knows something,
all knowledge resides in humanity.”
networks.
Lévy 1997
III. THOU SHALT CREATE
A NETWORKING PLAN. . .
Planning A Networking
Campaign
1. Define your objective.
2. Select the right technique.
3. Understand that “deal flow” or your number of
prospects must be great to land one perfect business
contract.
4. Identify your target(s).
5. Work out your positioning. This is a short statement of
what you are about, what you can offer.
6. Create a written Network Plan!
IV. THOU SHALT BUILD
NETWORKING PARTNERS . . .
Building Networking
Partners
• Talk to everyone you know about your goals.
• Cultivate your relationships.
• Establish contacts before you need something.
• Clarify what network partners can and will do for you.
• Target specific contacts to build into network partners – Network coach, Image consultant, Marketing expert.
• Find those friendly network spiders - People who just seem to know everyone.
• Use the telephone.
• Use your online social network.
• Be visible at business and community events.
• Be active in professional organizations
V. THOU SHALT GROW AND INFUSE
POSITIVE ENERGY INTO YOUR NETWORK. . .
Grow & Refresh
Your Network
• Go out of your way to be where people are.
• Set time aside each month to network.
• Set a goal for meeting new people
• Create contact database – personal details, not just
exchanging business cards.
• Choose the right method for the right person.
• Warm up long-cold, older contacts.
• Continually re-evaluate your network? Adds? Delete?
• Send a birthday card or email.
• Congratulations to contacts receiving promotions or new
jobs (scan journal/media announcements).
• Send a inspiring quote or great article to a key contact.
Don’t Have Time…
Think Again!
• We meet new people all the time, with no disruption to
our schedules. Leverage these opportunities!
• Not consistently widening our circles of acquaintances
and contacts, may severely curtail our chances for
advancement and success.
• The average person knows about 250 people. And each
of those people knows, in turn, another 250 people.
• This means that for each new person you meet, you gain
access to a potential pool of 62,500 people separated
from you by just two degrees!
VI. THOU SHALT CREATE AN
EFFECTIVE ELEVATOR SPEECH. . .
Elevator Speech
• The elevator speech is a concise explanation of who you
are and what you do in 30 seconds (time it take an elevator
to travel from the top floor to the bottom floor of a high rise).
• Introduce yourself in memorable fashion, emphasize the
benefits you provide or the solutions you offer, showcase
your uniqueness to set yourself apart from the competition
and set the stage to build a new relationship.
• Script it, rehearse it, perfect it. Positive 1st impression.
• Leave them wanting more…asking you to elaborate.
• Cover the 3 Ps – Passion, Previous experience, and
Portable/transferable skills.
VII. THOU SHALT PERFECT
FACE-TO-FACE NETWORKING. . .
Face to Face
Networking
• Name tag is worn on the right side to provide an easy
sight-line to your name when shaking hands.
• Practice effective handshake…two pumps and let go.
Avoid giving a “bone crusher” or “limp fish”.
• Communicating – importance of body language, voice and
words.
• Introduce yourself. Use GNAP and Elevator Speech.
• When appropriate, exchange business cards. Customize.
• Once contact is made, networking just begins. Follow up
with those you met – sent a note - stay in touch, share info
and offer help.
• Follow up is the #1 positive trait of most effective
networkers!
VIII. THOU SHALT LEARN TO WORK A ROOM. . .
Working the Room
• Let preparation and practice be your guide. Spend some
time planning your conversation generators.
– Ask about job, company, why here…be genuinely interested.
• Carry pen, business cards, name tag, breath mints.
• Start with small talk. Find things in common. How can
you help this person? How might they assist you?
• Don't stay too long in one place. After five to eight
minutes, excuse yourself, “It was nice meeting you ... “
• Be careful with eating and drinking (keep in left hand to
always be ready to shake hands)
• Networking is less about meeting new people than
having them remember you after the fact.
IX. THOU SHALT CREATE
A STRONG PERSONAL BRAND. . .
Making an Positive
Impact
• Ask a question at a conference.
• Connect people together (Building others network!)
• Have quality conversation with a few people at a networking event.
Introduce yourself to a lot of people.
• Wear a bright ties or colorful outfit. Wear a pin/button to generate
questions/conversation.
• Make people laugh. Make people smile. Be positive!
• Be genuine, sincere and interested in everyone you meet!
• Have an opinion on everything. (But keep an open mind.)
• Take up an unusual hobby - but not too unusual.
• Provide positive feedback /compliment others.
• Establish a strong Professional Reputation – deliver on promises.
Be someone people want to meet.
7 Ways to Sharpen
Networking Skills
1. Action Plan. What do you want to accomplish?
2. Reciprocity. Mutual Benefit and Rewards.
3. Listen. People love to talk about themselves. A good listener learns and
truly understands what motivates and inspires others. Asking great
questions and showing genuine interest is memorable to the other person.
4. Approach Introverts. They have great talents and connections, don’t miss
an opportunity to meet a quality person!
5. Be Nice. Authentic. Be Positive. Integrity is the glue to your reputation.
6. Invest Selflessly. One of the quickest ways to break down barriers and
establish relationship is offer help to someone in need.
7. Guanxi. This is the Chinese word for network. Diversify your network! Do
you have people in your network who are older and younger than you, of
different races and ethnicities? This year expand your network to include
new people and their communities.
8. Create an Online Presence.
Online Networking
X. THOU SHALT HAVE
FUN NETWORKING. . .
Conclusion
• Networking can be a fun and easy way to enrich your life,
broaden your horizons, and enhance your career.
• Crucial to your success is that you treat networking as an
exchange of ideas and information and experience. You
are not "sponging" off others for your own benefit.
• Be generous in sharing your talents, experiences, and
ideas, and always be respectful of those around you.
• Mentoring and networking are not just occasional
techniques to broaden your career. You need to integrate
networking and mentoring into your daily life.
• Good luck and have fun!
Final Thoughts
A small pebble
can make a BIG ripple.
Share your talents.
Connect with others.
Questions?
David Pease, SPHR
Executive Vice President – Chief Resource Officer
Androscoggin Bank
30 Lisbon Street ~ Lewiston, ME 04243
dpease@ androscogginbank.com
207-376-3506
Please feel free to request a connection with
me on LinkedIn.com or Facebook.com.
Follow me @MaineHR on Twitter.com.
Enhancing Online
Presence
• Headline! (Most important section of profile – 120 words) • Photo (Headshot) • Summary (Think this is a Bio Overview. Brochure of You. • Specialties (Key words for searches) • Work experience & Education, Professional Groups • Websites (company, personal, association). • Establish a LinkedIn public profile • Update your status weekly. • Join LinkedIn Groups. Comment (Ask and answer discussion questions). Share articles. Create new group. • Expand your connections on a regular basis (searches) • Give & Seek Recommendations • Start a blog. Twitter.