LaunchNET at Kent State University helps students, staff, faculty, and alumni start, grow, and develop innovative entrepreneurial ideas. This is one of our Workshops: Getting Started with Networking.

1. THE POWER OF NETWORKING
KEYS TO SUCCESS

2. What We Do:
 Assist KSU students, faculty/staff on
innovating new ideas
 Free & Confidential Service
 Mentoring
 Sponsor events & workshops
 Connect clients to NE Ohio entrepreneurial
resources

3. Success?
 It’s not what you know…
 It’s not who you know…
 It’s WHO wants to know YOU!

5. What is Networking?
Where people, entrepreneurs, and others:
 Form relationships
 Exchange information
 Create joint opportunities
 Seek potential partners

6. Why Network?
 Shared knowledge
 Opportunities
 70-90% of all jobs are not posted
 Hidden job market
 Referrals
 Connections
 Raising your profile

7. Basic Networking Components
 Know your goals
 Who to network with
 Where to network
 Providing value - What can I offer each
person?
 Follow Up

8. Where To Start
 What are your goals?
 Make them known to your network (Friends,
Family)
 Business cards
 Join Professional Organizations and
Associations, Alumni Networks
 Attend Conferences
 Practice

9. Skills Needed:
 Open mindset
 Destination
 Goal setting
 The map
 How are you getting there?
 Building human connections
 Ask insightful questions
 Pay attention to details
 Superconnecting
 Don’t keep score
 Make friends
 Follow-up

10. Types of Networking
 Online networking
 www.myprofessionalcenter.com
 www.konnects.com
 www.bni.com
 www.linkedin.com
 Face-to-face networking
 Networking events
 Business events
 Social and Cultural events
 Seminars
 General networking
 Friends and family
 Professional contacts
 Anyone!

11. Effective Networkers
 Are themselves
 Find common ground
 Show respect for peoples time
 Offer to help others
 Show appreciation

12. Preparation
 Little segments about yourself
 Ex. Self Pitch:
 15 second description of yourself
Can tailor it a bit to your audience
Ex. Last job, career ambitions, etc
 But don’t sound rehearsed!

13. Tips
 Resist the urge to arrive late
 Ask easy questions
 Ditch the sales pitch
 Share your passion
 Smile
 Don’t hijack the conversation