Networking - Effective Tips for Success

Networking

Sandy BlanqueraSocial Boomerang

Agenda

What is Networking?Multiple Ways to ConnectYour Networking Score10 Networking MythsRequirements for NetworkingAssessing Your Own NetworkIt’s a Process

What is networking?

Interacting socially for the purpose of getting connections or personal advancement.

Creating a group of interconnected peopleCreating and maintaining a directory or

database of people

What is social networking?

Generating content for the purpose of connecting with others or being social.

Building communities of people who share similar interests or activities, or who want to explore similar interests or activities.

Can network in person, or virtually.

Ways to connect via networking

One-to-one

• Email• Phone call• Meet in person• Talk to individual at a

networking event• Connect to the individual on a

social site.

One-to-many

• Email to a distribution• Conference call• Meet in person• Group conversation at

networking event• Connecting to a group on a

social site.

One-to-All

• Newsletter• Webinar• Speaker• Speaking to the crowd on twitter• Comment to a community

10 Networking Myths~ Adapted from Make Your Contacts Count by Anne Baber & Lynne Waymon

I shouldn’t have to network;my work speaks for itself

Everyone who needs to know about your work already does.

Does that include future bosses and clients?

I networked last week and it didn’t work

There is no such thing as fast food networking

Junior people need networking, not me

You never outgrow the need to network

You never know when you will need a new job, a new client or a new contact

Networking = Manipulation

It shouldn’t be about arm twisting or selling…

It should be about building relationships

Networking is just schmoozing, boring and uncomfortable

Are you moving away from conversations that are not meaningful?

Are you infusing interesting discussion points?

I don’t need to network I don’t need a job

It’s best to network before, during and after a job search and hire.

Networking has never done a thing for my career

Hard to believe you haven’t experienced some magic from networking.

People provide access to vital information, news, resources, activity.

A single conversation could change your life.

Networking is just about handing out a business card

Nearly 95% of people throw business cards in the trash within 24 hours.

It’s like throwing money away.

I don’t have the gift of gabso I won’t be good at networking

Only 10% of the population naturally engages in conversation.

The rest of us can use a method or process to make it successful.

Networking is a waste of time

85% of people who network have no goal, strategy or idea of what they want to achieve.

Goals are key to success.

What are the implications if you don’t network?

Losing out on job possibilities

Losing out on meeting people who could impact your life

Losing out on business or a sale

It becomes a challenge, if not impossible to become an expert

You won’t build a brand

The Answer is…always “networking”.

How job seekers find jobs… networking!

Job Seekers Job Finding Strategies

% Using the

Method MethodEffectiveness

Rate

66.0% Applied directly to employer 47.7

50.8    Asked friends about jobs where they work (Networking) 22.1

41.8    Asked friends about jobs elsewhere (Networking) 11.9

28.4    Asked relatives about jobs where they work (Networking) 19.3

27.3    Asked relatives about jobs elsewhere (Networking) 7.4

45.9    Answered local newspaper ads 23.9

21.0    Private employment agency 24.2

12.5    School placement office 21.4

15.3    Civil Service test 12.5

10.4    Asked teacher or professor (Networking) 12.1

 1.6    Placed ad in local newspaper 12.9

 6.0    Union hiring hall 22.2

Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD)

Networking requires…

1. Being strategic 2. Being prepared3. Understanding your skills and developing them4. Physically meeting people5. Understanding and using resources6. Achieving results7. Follow-through8. A system for storing/retrieving networking data

Being Strategic

Being Strategic

Determine what your networking goal is◦Get a job◦Meet people in a particular industry or field◦Meet people at a particular company

Decide how many people you need to meet and how often

Write your goals down and measure your performance against goals

Re-evaluate

Being Strategic

Examples for setting networking goals:◦1-2 x per month attend professional organizations◦1-2 x per week go to group events◦1-2 x meet people in a certain job or position◦Daily or 1 x per week put contacts in your address book◦1-2 x per week get referrals of who to connect to

If seeking a job, your networking goals should be more aggressive

Being Prepared

Being Prepared

Assess your strengths and weaknessesCreate a stellar resumeHave business cards madeCreate an elevator pitchFind a way for people to remember your nameUpdate social networking profiles

Skills

Skills - Understand & Develop

Understanding networking etiquetteKnow how to open a conversationPractice your elevator pitchTalk less than 50% of the timeHave a catchy way people remember your nameDon’t force a relationship – ask for their card

Skills – Understand & Develop

Understand your own comfort zone and work it outBe open-mindedPractice storiesGet comfortable saying what you want or need from

peopleMake it important to care about people’s namesCan politely move on from people

Skills – Understand & Develop

Target contacts - review meetup sites for list of who is coming

Review contact info before meeting peopleDetermine how to enhance or repair existing

relationships tooAsk the question, “how can I help you?”

Meeting People

Meeting People

You can’t network unless you pick up the phone to set something up

Go to places where people areGet engaged in social networking sitesYou must physically leave the house for “real

networking”!You need constant engagement for “virtual

networking””

Resources

Resources – Understand & Use

Professional organizations◦Tech Columbus, JAVA, HRACO, NAWBO

Chambers

Groups◦AWIB, TechLife, Big Fish, Positive Connections, referral groups

Meetups◦Social, hobby, interest

Friends, Family, other business contacts

Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook

Achieving Results

Achieving Results

You can name 3 pieces of information you have learned after an event

You can cite examples of how your networking is paying offYou can state how your activities are affecting your careerYou can describe resources and assistance you gain from

networkingYour key contacts can vividly talk about you, what you do and

how you do itYou can meet 12 new people at each event

Follow Through

Follow Through

Add business cards to your databaseAdd them to Linkedin, Facebook, address bookAdd comments about how you met and any

important informationFollow-up on promises you made during the

conversationRe-connect with people who add value to your

networking goalsStay in touch regularly through various channels

System for Data

System for Data

OutlookOther mail systems also have address books – gmail, hotmailContact management systemsBatch cards and do once a weekUse information several times a year to send mass updates,

emailsReview address book regularly to re-connect

Elevator Speech

90% of people tell their title or jobTell what you want people to remember about a

talent or skillGive a short example showing how you do that wellDon’t use your title in speechThink about three things you want people to know

about the brand YOU.

Assessing your current network

Relationship Types

Ooops – may never see again or may not fit your goalAcquaintances – people you meet through other contacts, but

don’t yet have anything in commonAssociates – people you share some type of membership withEngagers – people you exchange information and resources

with activelyAdvocates – people who send you opportunities, talk about

you, promote youAllies – people who are invested in you, your business, your

success. Can provide you feedback, compassion, celeberate with you

* from Make Your Contacts Count

Exercise

List 5 peopleIdentify which group they fit intoThink about how to move them to another

relationship type

Networking is a Process

1. Smile, shake hands confidently and introduce yourself clearly

2. Be more interested than interesting

3. Remember to use people's names

4. Ask for other’s contact details/business cards before offering yours

5. Create your elevator pitch and practice it

6. Ask open questions. Give people a chance to talk about themselves

7. Don't sell yourself or your business. Build the relationship. Create trust

8. Concentrate on adding value to others rather on how they can be valuable to you

9. Offer help and ask for it when needed

10. Be open minded, talk to many, reap the rewards

Summary

Understand your networking skills.Understand your current network.Commit to improve your networking skills and

network.Set goals. Do the work.Measure performance.

Questions?

Contact me

Sandy BlanqueraCEO & Founder

Social Boomerang7003 Post RoadSuite 418Dublin, OH 43016http://socialboomerang.com