Networking is something many dread; platforms today will make your interconnectedness natural, far reaching, and long-lived. Ultimately, the goal in business is always to have ROI. With employment and entrepreneurial experiences that span coast-to-coast, Hugh Kruzel of NORCAT serves up real world fundamentals and common themes spiced with how-to and DIY suggestions.

1. Hugh Kruzel

3. Building a network of contacts
is an effective, and necessary,
process for business, career
development, and all areas of
your personal life.

4.  Who else is going to promote you?
 Drop leads/never do follow-ups
 Don’t answer emails
 Watch any potential evaporate
 See future income/profits decline/disappear
 Support whither
 Who?

5. net·work
net w rk/ˈ ˌ ə
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
connect as or operate with a network.
"the stock exchanges have proven to be resourceful in networking these
deals"
link (machines, especially computers) to operate interactively.
"networked workstations"
interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts,
especially to further one's career.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"

6. … and then we forgot
What do you
think is the key
to success in
networking?

7. With everyone!
All ages… all abilities
The person who gives you your coffee
Smile first or smile back. Say hello
Smile when answering the phone
Look in the mirror… is this a person you would want to meet?

8. Is it because politicians are said to network?
Because the word is overused?
Because your parents use this word?
Because it feels you are “using” someone?
Because you want something?

9. Who are the right people? Isn’t everyone?
Do you feel “Networked”?

10. Is it: building a bigger network?
Having more contacts?
An ecosystem most stable when there is diversity
Can you pick up the phone and ask for help?

11. I write; these two people conduct.
It is essential we network.
Belong to C of C or other organizations.
Toastmasters?

12. What to do with Business Cards?
Do you have cards?
How to hand / accept
What’s next?
Let’s have chat… open your envelopes please

13. Be everywhere?
Are you a brand?
What would Richard Branson do?

14. Open doors
Be open
Be willing
Be engaged
Jump in
Is this the way to weigh/judge?

15. Two ears… one pie hole
Break bread with people
Find out your points of intersection and commonalities

16. The Jim Pattison Foundation:
medical/health, education
Philanthropy
At 87 Jim still runs his own business
Grocery, car dealerships, radio, fishing, forestry…
Had $9 Billion in sales in 2015!
Has fun: bought John Lennon’s psychedelic car then donated it
to promote tourism

17. Seriously? You didn’t send a “Thank You” note! What are you
thinking? This is hugely important.

18. What about Twitter, LinkedIn, Ask.fm, Yik Yak, Whisper, Burn Note, Skout,
Vine, YouNow…other platforms? More…
Of course sharing has its pluses and pitfalls – engage with purpose.
I am a fan of Twitter but the number
of users is dropping, the join rate is
now flat, and with policies that still
are a “wild west” countless upstarts
are nipping at their heels.
“Instagram and WhatsApp now
have more users than Twitter, and
the teen-friendly SnapChat is not far
behind” – Leah McLaren Globe and
Mail Friday February 5th
, 2016

19. Whether you use Facebook or another platform remember it must
be “fed” and what about effective search engine optimization
(SEO) strategies?
On average engaged companies 20-25 T/m
Is your stream sparse or a scream of messaging?
Is SM just advertizing?
Is leveraging an audience the goal?
Can 140 characters be enough? Concise/Creative/Thoughtful
Can be done rapidly, anytime, by many
But that has its own challenges
What about Blogging?

20.  Highlight recent mentions or successes
 Talk about your skills / expertise
 Speak about the value you bring
 Shoutouts to others in your network strengthens links
 Promote events / opportunities for interaction
 Highlight what is unique about your business
 Talk about the values you support
 Fun place to work? Tweet out about office
- Adapted from Rotman Magazine and report in “Eight Twitter Tips for Busy
Executives” by Harvey Schachter The Globe and Mail 01 Feb 2016

21. This person knows how to make it work
She sends out reflections from
Seth Godin
They are positive affirmations
She is focused…
Can we learn from her?
Ask
Engage
Cultivate your network

22. Community involvement
Board of Directors
People /leaders in your industry
Handshake
Be inclusive… introduce others

23. Face-to -face / the phone / mail / social media /
Conventions, conferences, daily activities, active searches …
Sometimes, idealistic people are
put off the whole business of
networking as something tainted
by flattery and the pursuit of
selfish advantage. But virtue in
obscurity is rewarded only in
Heaven. To succeed in this world
you have to be known to people.
Sonia Sotomayor

24. Sure it sounds hokey but Gord and I share the same birth date
Personal relationships are
always the key to good
business. You can buy
networking; you can't buy
friendships.
Lindsay Fox

25. You can never have enough friends

26. You determine what it is for you