Bath University Students Union Boost Your Employability Day

Networking Skills Workshop27th February 2013

Peter Quintana

Networking Skills1. Definition

2. Reasons to network

3. Who? Where? How often?

4. How to be a Brilliant Networker

- What should you be like?

- What you should do?

- The 10 Commandments

5. Practical Networking

Who am I?Peter Quintana

Business Consultant and High Growth Coach

peter@peterquintana.co.uk

Networking is….

• …a socioeconomic activity by which groups of like-minded businesspeople recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities (Wikipedia)

• …a low-cost activity that involves more personal commitment than company money (Wikipedia)

• …building strong relationships to motivate other people to get business for you

Reasons to network

• Win new business• Get support/feedback• Benefit from other people’s experience• Keep up to date• Friendship• Collaboration opportunities• Suppliers• Increase confidence• Improve presentation skills• Get referrals

Who? Where? How often?

• Clients, clubs, family, colleagues, friends, suppliers (FROGS!)

• Who are you looking for? Where do they go?

• What is the (desired) strength of relationship?• Weekly• Monthly• Quarterly/Annually

How to be a Brilliant Networker- What should you be like?

• Actively work your network• Be sincere• Enjoy helping other people• Recognise and thank people who give you referrals• Network anytime, any place, anywhere• Have good listening skills/ask good questions• Be trustworthy• Be enthusiastic and motivated• Have a positive attitude• FOLLOW UP

How to be a Brilliant Networker- What you should do?

• Join the right networks • Plan in advance• Know the culture• Get organised• Bring business cards• Don’t push your card• Relationship 1st, elevator pitch 2nd • Seek out valuable contacts• Debrief• FOLLOW UP

How to be a Brilliant Networker- The 10 Commandments

• Have your networking tools with you all the time• Set goals• Act like a host• Ask open questions (the 5 Ws)• Give a referral• Rehearse your elevator pitch• Ask for a business card• Make notes on the cards you receive• Respect other people’s time• FOLLOW UP

Practical Networking

• Networking types • Networking conversations• Target open 2s and 3s• Follow up properly

Questions?