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Mary Flavelle
TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More
Call me on 07778 970668 |
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How to Network:
The dynamic future is back with the entrepreneurs and young people who have not experienced redundancy or failure. It may even lie with the 50years olds who have been made redundant and now doing what they have always wanted to do, become their own boss and master of their own destiny. However these people will not be looking for retirement, happy Captains will keep their eye on the horizon and sail slow and sure.
This is the new positive in business and the solution to the company growth, will be found in NETWORKING. ….but it doesn’t just happen. Learn the art of networking, how to do it properly before you attend a really important event. Do not turn up unprepared and find you have made a complete plonker of yourself, this is not how you want to impress people– get it wrong and you will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. If you need help...contact Mary for advice or at the very least, take on my top tips for being successful in the networking arena.
Those who have been networking for years know very well that reinventing yourself is vital. You need to have a new message – even if the product is the same. You need to look great, feel great, be enthusiastic and become a great listener. Learn to support other people. Referrals have worked for years, if you come across an opportunity – pass it to another – it is as good as money in the bank - either by monetary reward or a referral back to you in the future. Don’t suffer illusions of meeting a really big client at your first networking event> you need to build relationships and remember always – people will do business with people they know! Unless your product is unique – you will have to be patient.
WHAT SORT OF NETWORKING DO YOU NEED?
Before you launch yourself on the networking scene – answer these questions:
1. What sort of networking do I need?
2. Is time of day important to me and my business?
3. Who else attends?
4. What do I wear?
5. What group do I join?
6. How do I introduce my business?
To help you – here are my suggested answers:
1. This is the big question: It will depend on what you are selling, if it is a product – a bigger audience is best: if it is a service – smaller groups are better. If it is a new product or service then consider a networking group, where you can travel between the various destinations. This is not a comfortable thing to do but it is necessary and you will just have to get used to it. Where is a good place to practice networking before you go to all these other groups? The Keller at Coppid Beech Hotel. Bracknell. Get it wrong in good company – you will be safe, well advised and confident to take on the world.
2. If children need to be considered then breakfast meetings may not be for you. You may have to drop kids off at school so look for mid morning, lunches or evening events. Breakfast meetings are still great, it is the start of the day and does not interrupt your work schedule, so if kids do have to be considered, look at half term and holidays – make the most of these opportunities to attend breakfast meetings. Don’t join large networking breakfast groups, as regular attendance is a must…. You will have wasted your money.
3. This is important: You need to meet the right sort of people for your service or product. Guest lists are really useful – make sure to record these when you get back home. Follow good contacts up straight away and arrange to meet for a coffee to get to know the other person better. Either you or your businesses may be compatible in some way – so finding out more will be beneficial to you both. After you have tried all networking that is available to you, consider joining the group that suits. People who dip in and out will not be remembered, becoming a regular will help you to build good contacts and as a result – build your business.
4. Look the part: Business suits are the norm but if that is not your ‘uniform’ then wear what is appropriate. Make sure it you are still clean and well scrubbed, clean hair and if you suffer from dandruff – check those shoulders before you go into the meeting. Clean shoes and don’t bring your business leaflets to the meeting in a carrier bag! Looking the part will help with your confidence as well as making sure you won’t stand out like a sore thumb. Prepare the day before for your event – what you are going to say and wear. Tidy your car: If your car is your office keep it clean and tidy – don’t create the wrong impression if you drive a traveling tip.
5. There are many networking groups at present and more springing up all the time. There will be financial implications to joining these groups not counting any food or drink involved. Firstly … JOIN NOTHING… All good groups will allow you to attend their events as a guest once or twice, it may cost a little more but it is worth the wait. Assess who attends, is there a good mix of people, is there potential customers or more important, people who can offer good leads. Once you have made up your mind – then join a group. The support they offer can be a great help to you, you will always have some friends who understand your work ethos and product, people you can brainstorm ideas with and sometimes it is just good to meet for a coffee and chat. Look at the groups who offer benefits to your businesses and mainly – look at the cost.
6. The nightmare of the One Minute Presentation: Greet everyone first with a – Thank you for having me, good to be here or Good morning – whatever is appropriate to the time of day. When a number of presentations are one after the other, people need time to ‘tune in’ to your voice – so NEVER say your name or your company name in the first 3 works. One minute is not very long – there is only time for an introduction so don’t be silly about this. Do not sell – no one can sell anything in one minute – unless it is ice-cubes to Eskimos. Either explain what your business is in about 12 words – or it you are looking for a particular lead in connection with a certain industry – then ask for help. Finish with your name and company name again. Full explanations of what you do or are selling, can only happen on a 1-2-1 basis. You don’t need memorable hooks or props or any trickery to be remembered. You are in the company of serious business people and the best thing you can offer them is your ear. Listen to them and they will listen to you. Above all – never read your introduction unless there is technical information you need to share. Most people who read their presentation will also write ‘My name is Joe Smith’ - For Goodness Sake –Who is going to take anyone seriously that does not appear to know who they are or what they do.
Here ends your lesson networkers – Be lucky; Be professional and Be Fabulous.
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