Networking is important for growing businesses and finding new opportunities. It allows you to meet new people, learn from others, gain exposure for your business, and develop important contacts and relationships. Some key tips for effective networking include preparing an elevator pitch that clearly communicates who you are and what you do in 30 seconds or less. It is also important to work the room, introduce yourself to groups of three people, listen more than you talk, and follow up with new contacts within 24 hours. Networking events provide a way to build relationships and discover connections between people that can lead to new business opportunities and future growth.

1. THE ART OF
NETWORKING
Use the Power of Networking to
grow your business

3. ELEVATOR pitchI’m Gilly Thompson, Director of Thompson Training and
Development. We help businesses to grow up to 4 times quicker
through:-
1. Expert sales training by award winning traines
2. Leadership and Management ILM Training
3. Business Coaching, I’m a Masters Degree qualified ILM
Business coach and member of the EMCC
Unlike other training providers we spend a day in your business
free of charge getting to know you so we can provide exactly
what you need.
How are you currently planning for growth?
“

4. WHYIs networking so scary
What's interesting about your networking fears is that they're not just about networking.
They're the same fears that are part of your life - always.
1.I'll draw a blank and not know what to say.
2.I'm not _(fill in the blank)_ (smart enough, successful enough, etc.)
3.It's one thing to do introductions, but how do I maintain the conversation, keep it lively?
4.I'm afraid I'll sound pushy or alienate people.
5.My feet hurt when I stand in heels too long.
6.It's impossible to break into groups already formed.
7.People drain me.
8.I won't have enough stamina to be "on" for the whole event.
9.Networking is "boring.“ and it doesn’t work
10.Why go? It will be SOS (Same Old Stuff).
11.Strangers will think I'm manipulating them when they discover I'm looking for
business.
12.It scares the living daylights out of me!

5. ……OF JOBS ARE NEVER
ADVERTISED AND INSTEAD FILLED THROUGH
NETWORKING AND EMPLOYEE REFERRALS!
CNN HAS ESTIMATED THAT

6. Networks—groups of people
who talk and share ideas,
information, and resources.
Networking—discovering
connections between people.
WHAT
Is a network

7. WHYIs networking so important
• OPPORTUNITIES Lead to new and future business.
• EXPOSURE Gives forum to promote and draw attention to your business,
cause, or personal brand.
• CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS Form and maintain a strong contact base.
• COMMON GROUND Like-minded people can come together to discuss
common interests.
• LEARNING Allows you to learn from experienced professionals.

8. VISIBLEBE USE SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKING COMMUNITIES
Twitter//Facebook//Linked in
Follow all your networking groups on Twitter, Facebook and Linked
in. Don’t forget to follow your competitors!

9. TIMINGEMAIL
Emails sent from 6 A.M. to 7
A.M. are about three times
more likely to be opened than
emails sent after 4 P.M.
Mail sent on Sunday afternoons
has an open rate was as high
as 44 percent, while it bottomed
out at 35 percent when sent it
during the workweek.
Twitter
Twitter
engagement
is higher
between 8
A.M. and 7
P.M. (turns out
fewer people
are “on”
Twitter during
the middle of
the night).
LinkedIn
Tues-Thurs
7AM-9AM
5PM-6PM
Social Media

10. VISIBLEBE TRY TO SEEK OUT NETWORKING COMMUNITIES
Chamber of Commerce // Civic associations such as Rotary //
Alumni Associations // Non-profit organizations // Ministries // Health
clubs // Support groups // Community organizations // Advocacy
groups // Professional associations // Social networking groups //
Family and friends // Book clubs // Workshops // Historical and art
societies // Garden clubs // Enrichment classes // Golf clubs //
Cultural societies

11. “
“I’ve heard the most challenging part of
networking, for most people, is striking up a
conversation with strangers.
ELEVATOR PITCH
The name reflects the idea that it should be possible to deliver a
pitch in the time span of an elevator ride, or approximately thirty
seconds to two minutes. The term itself comes from a scenario of
an accidental meeting with someone important in the elevator.
• Prepare to give a clear, concise, and compelling summation of
who you are, what you do, why you are at the networking
function, and how you bring value to others.
• Try to keep it at 30 seconds (30-40 words).

12. second
ELEVATOR PITCH
• Should be interesting, memorable, and succinct and explain
what makes you – or your organization, product, or idea –
unique.
• Who are you and your company name
• Explain what you do
• What need does your business resolve SISI
Save, Improve, Solve, Increase
• How do you do that?
• Communicate your USP?
• Engage with a question?
30

13. ELEVATOR pitchHi I’m X from X
My company develops mobile applications that businesses use
to train their staff remotely. This means that senior managers
can spend time on other important tasks.
Unlike other similar companies, we visit each organization to find
out exactly what people need. This means that, on average,
95% of our clients are happy with the first version of their app.
So, how does your organization handle the training of new
people?
“

14. Networks—groups of people
who talk and share ideas,
information, and resources.
Networking—discovering
connections between people.
WHATTo ask?
• “So ______, what exactly do you do at______?” [then shut up and listen!]
• “What got you involved in this organization/event?”
• “I really like your________.”
• “May as well chat if we’re in line for_______.”
• “How did you get involved with this line of work and what have you enjoyed
most from your experience?”
• “What can you tell me about________?”
• “What is the greatest opportunity for _________? Biggest challenge?”
• “What do you do when you’re not___________?”
To have meaningful conversations with as many potential connections as
possible, limit your time with each interaction to five minutes.

15. 0TIPS FOR
NETWORKING1TOP
Don’t intend to sell anything but to build relationships
Set a goal or outcome for the event. E.g. 2 new contacts
Do your homework on the event, what sort of businesses are attending
Dress appropriately. Wear a name tag on your right side. A person’s
eyes will follow the line of sight from the handshake
Have a business card and lots of them, make sure you acknowledge
the other persons business card
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16. 0TIPS FOR
NETWORKING….. (cont)1TOP
Have a good handshake, smile and eye contact. Listen 70% of the time
Work the room - Walk the room by going to all 4 corners of the room.
Introduce yourself to others along the way
Approach groups of 3 people. It’s likely one of them will not be actively
involved in the conversation and will be open to talking to you
Introduce yourself with an elevator pitch and don’t use jargon
Have an exit strategy be clear you are going to talk to other delegates
& follow up with email and linked in within 24 hours
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