Networking involves connecting with people and groups to share ideas, information, and resources. There are various types of networking groups like professional associations, community service clubs, and social/business organizations. When networking, it is important to set goals for expanding your contacts, follow up with people, get to know contacts on a personal level, and maintain relationships over time. Proper networking involves presenting yourself professionally, making a good first impression, having an "elevator speech" prepared to concisely introduce yourself, and following up with new contacts.

1. Networking
Use the Power of a Network to
Ensure Your Success!!

2. What Is Networking?
Networks—groups of people
who talk and share ideas,
information, and resources.
Networking—discovering
connections between people.

3. Business Organizations and Networking Groups
• Casual Contact Networks
• Strong Contact Networks
• Professional Associations/
Knowledge Networks
• Community Service Clubs
• Social/Business Organizations

4. Build on Contacts
• Set goals to add to your contacts
• Follow up immediately
• Get to know your contact
• Stay in contact
– Compliment
– Ask a question
– Referral
– Educate
– Surprise

5. Build on Contacts
• Invest time and effort to help others
• Nurture your own network
• Get outside the traditional work environment
• Bring your network
together
●
Facilitate the meeting
of contacts
●
Invite new people to
join

6. Approachability Guidelines
1. Don’t intend to sell anything.
2. Set a goal or outcome for the event.
3. Do your homework.
4. Dress appropriately.
5. Wear a name tag on your right side.

7. Approachability Guidelines
6. Have a good handshake, smile and eye
contact.
7. Use “Pause–Part–Punch” with your
name.
8. Introduce yourself with information about
the occasion or the other person.
9. Have an exit strategy.
10. Follow up.

8. Networking Plan
1. My Goal – Purpose
2. What relationships do I
have/need?
3. How do I best access them?
4. What value can I bring? Bring it.
5. Establish how much time per
week to devote and schedule it in.
6. Be patient, but monitor results
over a sufficient period of time.

9. Personal Branding Statement

10. The Elevator Speech
• General target you serve
• Needs typically addressed
• Reference your organization
• Your value proposition – or
Branding Statement

11. When You Give a Business Card …

12. When You Get a Business Card …

13. Relationship Building Links