This essential tool not only helps to improve your company’s presence within the local business community, but provides the opportunity for you to share ideas, find new suppliers and above all seek out new business opportunities.
However for some, having the confidence to network successfully is a difficult task in itself, therefore ensuring that you prepare yourself in order to maximise these events is essential or you risk missing out on a great opportunity.
Commenting, Mark Wilson, MD of financial recruitment specialist Sharp Consultancy said, “What you have to remember is that you are your greatest commodity; and no matter which company you work for what people are really buying into at these events is you, your persona and your experience.
“Learning how to package yourself correctly is the key to successful networking. The world is saturated with goods and service suppliers therefore it’s important that when you make the initial connection with a potential new business prospect you articulate yourself in a way that leaves them wanting to know more about you, your experiences and thoughts.
“This type of approach can also be used outside the networking arena, maybe in a situation where you have a new business meeting or pitch. There is absolutely no harm in opening the conversation with some snippets of appropriate information about your personal life, it brings the barriers down, allows your audience to see the real you and gives them another reason to remember you.
“However it’s important that you strike a balance and ensure you don’t overdo it. Building a rapport at networking events requires attentiveness and active listening to ensure that you engage and commute openly, rather than rushing in to fill the space with your own agenda. On this basis you may hear something that might allow you to recall a nugget of essential information from your own personal or work experience, which could add value and just may get you that call or e-mail in the future.”
Sharp’s Top 5 tips when attending networking events are:
- Make real connections rather than having the sole thought of “I must network!”
- Be positive – optimism and engagement creates a demeanour that is welcoming.
- Use open questions to initiate conversation such as “What are you hoping to learn from today?”
- Think about the future – how are you going to follow up your conversations?
- Relax and enjoy the opportunity to meet new people.
