Advices for people who would like to master their networking skills

1. Networking for those
who hate it
By Ksenia Tugay, PhD
Founder of BioMonki

2. What is networking?
Business dictionary definition
• Creating a group of acquaintances and associates and
keeping it active through regular communication for
mutual benefit.
Ksenia’s Definition
• Networking is nothing more but getting to know
people

3. No matter how old you are, what year it is and
what technology is used, networking will continue
to affect an individual’s professional growth, in
addition to skillset and experience.
Not to mention, networking can help you land a job,
earn a promotion, perhaps introduce you to your future
co-founder and help you remain a valuable asset to your
employer and industry.

4. Networking best practices
• Connect with as many people as you can
• Promote yourself and share your achievements on
professional social media
• Eat a social lunch
• Keep in touch with the people in your network
• Have a conversation every now and then
• And so on…

5. Networking best practices
• Connect with as many people as you can
• Promote yourself and share your achievements on
professional social media
• Eat a social lunch
• Keep in touch with the people in your network
• Have a conversation every now and then
• And so on…

6. We are all different!
Extroverts
• Talk to think
• Go wide
• Energize with others
Introverts
• Think to talk
• Go deep
• Energize alone
Centroverts

7. Getting to know introverts
• An introvert can come across as rude
• It can be uncomfortable for an introvert to be in the
spotlight
Golden rule: “Treat the others the way you want to
be treated”
Platinum rule: “Treat the others the way they want
to be treated”

8. But this does not mean that
introverts can’t be as
successful in their career as
extroverts!!!

9. Changing the way you feel about
networking
Event(s) Negative Self-talk Positive self-talk
• You are looking for a
career change
• Went to networking
event with a lot of
VIPs
• Late
• Dripped tomato sauce
on your white shirt
• Introduced yourself to
the VIP using his name
• Traffic, late
• Paid 40 bucks to attend
• Were starving, so
rushed for food
• Ruined the shirt
• Used the name of the
person while
introducing yourself
• Proud of myself taking
this step in my career
change
• Plenty of people
arrived after me
• Managed to get most
of the sauce away
• The Industry guy will
remember me for sure

10. Guide to successful and
efficient networking event
Before, During & After

11. Before networking event
• Don’t register last minute
• Plan your outfit
• Have a quite lunch
• Finish work earlier
• Grab a bite before leaving
the office
• Have clear goals
• Go with someone
• Freshen your breath
• Take a moment to check
yourself in the mirror
• Arrive early

12. During networking event P.1
• Spend some time at the
nametag table
• Food is the best
conversation starter!
• Scan the room
• Talk to staff
• Get in line
• Make an eye contact
• Be an open target
• Note the unusual

13. Talking to strangers
• What kind of work do you do? What do you like best
about your company?
• What interesting projects are you working on?
• How was your day?
• Do you have plans for [this weekend, vacations, the
summer]?
• Do you want to join me in checking out the
appetizers?

14. Nametags
• If your information is incorrect or misspelled,
determine how important a correction is to you.
• First name, last name, company name normally
• Do not cross anything out! No messy name tags

15. During networking event P.2
• Plan recharge breaks
• Hydrate
• Visit the information table
• Know when to leave
• Plan your escape!
• Write on business cards: name with correct pronunciation, event
date and location, conversation summary, intended follow-up

16. Ending the conversation
• May I have your card? It was great meeting you.
• I am headed over to eat/drink.
• Have you met [colleague passing by]?
• I’m going to freshen up.
• I need to make a call.
• I promised myself I’d circulate—I better walk around.
• I’m sure you want to talk with some others; I won’t hold
you up.

17. After networking event
• Personalized follow-up in 48 hours
• If needed 1 gentle check-in 1 week later (only 1)
• Be useful
• Reward yourself
• Keep the monetum going

18. Best networking opportunities for
introverts
• Volunteer
• Join a class
• Events with structured program!

19. Business travel
You NEVER know who is sitting next to you

20. Tips for traveling
• Say hello while taking your seat
• Offer your neighbor a gum/candy
• Best time to engage in a conversation is during snack
break
• If your neighbor does not seem talkative leave
him/her alone

21. But if you don’t want to talk…
• Unfortunately, I have tons of work to do!
• I’m going to go back to my book now, excuse me.
• I really need a nap before landing.
• It’s been nice talking with you!

22. Business trips
• Make an agenda
• Leave enough time to recharge
• Pick at least 1 networking event
• If the whole company is staying at the same hotel,
early breakfast will allow you to eat in the much
needed peace
• “Thanks, but I am going to take it easy tonight.”

23. Good news and bad news
Life is one big networking opportunity

24. Networking worldwide
• Be aware of cultural differences
• Respect meishi etiquette
• Be aware of public, social, personal and intimate
space
• Do some prior research
• Avoid slang

25. Tips for on-line networking
• Make introductions
• Recommend your connections
• Re-tweet and Tweet the original content
• Share the content of others
• Invite members of your network to be guests on
your Twitter chat, Google+ Hangout, etc.
• Try your best to perform one of these favors once a
day, or a few times a week.

26. Stay in touch
ksenia.tugay@gmail.com
Ksenia Tugay
@Ksenia_Tugay
biomonki.strikingly.com

27. Amazing ressources
Devora Zack Hervé Bommelaer