The document provides tips and strategies for effective networking. It advises asking for introductions from common connections to gain credibility. It also recommends diversifying one's network by seeking relationships with people from different industries and levels of seniority. Finally, it stresses having a well-developed elevator pitch tailored to different networking events to efficiently share information about yourself.

2. Power of
Networking
When done skillfully, networking
can open the door to new clients
and tap talent for future hiring.
Success is as much about who
you know as what you know.

3. Pro Tips
If you want to form a relationship with
another person, you first need to show
them how they’ll benefit
Networking can be done anywhere; at a
bookstore, over lunch, during a
conference or in your office kitchen.
If the person you'd like to chat with has
a blog or wrote an article you liked,
reach out to them. The worst that could
happen is they say no or don't reply.

5. Strategies to Powerfully Network
Ask for a strategic introduction from common connection
A third-party endorsement will give you a powerful edge. It
makes you stand out, and lends you the credibility. And the
more credibility you have, the more likely that person will trust
that you're worth his time

6. Strategies to Powerfully Network
Diversify your network
Seek relationships with totally different people who can
introduce you to individuals from new social clusters whom
you’d otherwise never meet.
One important way to diversify your network is to network
down. Most people concentrate on networking up – building a
rapport with someone higher than yourself on the ladder.

7. Strategies to Powerfully Network
Have a well-developed elevator pitch
Tailor your pitch to the networking event. It is the easiest way to
share who you are, what you do and why you want to get to
know another person.
Injecting interesting personal tidbits, as appropriate, can lead to
building valuable connections.

8. Elevator
Pitches
Participants take 10 minutes to
prepare their elevator pitches.
Every Startup will ‘pitch’ for 60
seconds – articulating what they
do and why.
Top 3 pitches will receive a prize.

9. © Copyright Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.