Presentation on networking and follow up systems for the Universal Muslim Business Association. Networking is the key to success in business, says Keith Ferrazzi, business coach and author of Never Eat Alone, a book about the power of relationship building and networking. It helps you find jobs, recruit talent, win new customers and discover investors who'll support your ideas. Tip #1 - Start with a compliment . Your objective when meeting someone is to get the other person to smile. Once they smile, you know they are open to starting a conversation. Happy people talk and your objective is to LISTEN... Tip #2 Break the ice -- Find a connection that is NOT business related. Common topics are weather, food, fashion (for women), sports (for men). That is why networking at Gym-crew is so easy :-) Tip #3: Sarikas said "Stop Apologizing - Introverts and inexperienced networkers often apologize when asking for an individual's help because they see networking as an imposition, not as an exercise in relationship building" When done right, networking is a win-win for BOTH parties. Tip 4: Be Yourself - DO NOT SCHMOOZE! Tip 5: Tap into your passion - It is often the connection that leads to business. People do business with people they like know and trust! (Endless Referrals by Bob Burg) Tip 6: Be Prepared - know what you need and what you want to get out of this experience Tip 7: FOLLOW - UP! Fortune is in the immediate follow - up. Build a system to keep the information or you just wasted your time!