Presented to Longford and Westmeath Enterprise Boards Women in Business Networks. Looking at networking as a relationship building exercise; Networking 101, building on the basics, tips of how to, a persons network, what you don't see when you meet someone, building trust, towards a networking strategy. Pretty much the rules that no one tells you.

1. Women in Business Networks 5 – 7pm Wednesday 23rdMarch 2011 NetworkingBuilding conversations for business…

2. What do you think about networking

3. WHAT IS NETWORKING?

4. Networking is a relationship building exercise. The process looks like this Meet people Mutual liking Building trust WHAT IS NETWORKING?

5. WHY NETWORK?

7. A referral is 80% more likely to result in business than a cold call.

8. Every business woman or man has of average 250 further business contacts (statistic prior 2009 and evolution of social networking*).

9. 6 degrees of separation. Ireland @3 degrees.Social media reduces degrees further.Networking…

10. A persons network …what you don’t see when you meet someone+ social network value add

11. Delivering your #Business #Brand #Story

12. What do you want out of Networking? What's available?

13. How you present your business How you present yourself…

14. What did you just learn?

15. So how do you build conversationsfor business Take responsibility to communicate Be proactive Connect people and businesses Pass opportunities on Don’t expect anything in return

16. RULES OF ENGAGMENT Be approachable, friendly and professional Introduce yourself, say your name and the name of your company clearly Listen to the other person’s name. If you do not catch it ask them to repeat it "I'm sorry I did not catch your name?“ Listen, ask pertinent questions respond Talk Ask open questions Listen carefully for an opportunity

17. RULES OF ENGAGMENT contd. Follow up professionally after spotting that opportunity Ask for an introduction to someone else in the event End the conversation, exchange business cards…not always a must Move away If you have promised to follow up do so

18. Making it easy when you find it hard Getting your networking game on Parking the mental chatter How to get into a conversation when you come in to a room of strangers How to end conversations

19. Skills for remembering names and faces Be fully present Listen Make sure you hear the right name for the right person Repeat their name as soon after you hear it Use thought associations for names, initials

20. After the conversation Do what you say you are going to do Put people in contact, connect them Follow up Go for coffee Continue to build trust by building relationships

21. Towards a networking strategy? Focuses on your business needs New clients are one element Align with business objectives Decide what you wants & needs are in terms of networking Research and explore how? And where? Write your networking strategy and include a budget

22. Before attending a conference or networking event: Clarify your goals. What are your objectives? Who will attend? Your audience? Does the organisation have a social networking forum set up? What impression do you want instil? Schedule time in your calendar for follow up. Now. Keep track of your contacts Carry on being visual by participating in a post-networking forum or social media discussion groups.

24. Listen

25. Have a business card

26. Introduce people to each other

27. Be inclusive

29. What things?

30. Lets see that in action Go introduce yourself to someone you have not meet before Findother people thatneither of you know and taking turns introducing each other

31. CreativeDynamix Success through Innovation, Creativity and Action! Roisin Markham Contact Creativedynamix.1@gmail.com Contact Connect Converse Collaborate #353(0)86.1546163 http://creativedynamic.blogspot.com http://about.me/RoisinMarkham Live local work global. CreativeDynamix @creativedynamix