Three more A’s in the A to Z of Networking - Paul M Johnstone

Today I would like to share with you three often overlooked networking techniques.

Allocation Your Time:

Crucial to networking success:

There are lots of helpful tips on how best to allocate your time.  And like all tips some can be taken with a pinch of salt.  However the best tip I can give you here is BE EARLY:

Also when you are networking have a meaningful conversation (between 5 – 7 minutes) with as many people as you can. 

Plan your 60 seconds, write it and rehearse it Out Loud, so you get a feel for the pace and impact of your words.

Alumni Groups:

Usually meaning University groups, the Cambridge dictionary defines it as: someone who has left a school, college or university after finishing their studies there.

If you have a university alumni group, they are great places to work on open networking techniques.  Just practice

Always:

There is no doubt that EVERY business should network, so Always do it.  You will see from the Seven Keys to Profitable Networking (when we get to S) that regular attendance is a must for successful networking.  In fact once you start to allocate time to attend more networking meetings you will quickly become well known.  Once your name is out there you can adjust some of your marketing messages to capitalise on that fact.

Check back for more A - Z of Networking

Helping Real People do Real Business Through Real Networking

©Paul Johnstone

Please feel free to comment on this or any of my earlier Blogs. All feedback is great

The New Year approaches

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with Santa bringing just what you always wanted……

Wishing you a prosperous New Year

Paul

Where To Network Part 2

Paul Johnstone

As promised here are other places to network. The O - Z

Hope it stimulates you to get out there and Network.

Opening ceremonies:
Opening ceremonies, especially for notable new buildings, attract many local business people and dignitaries. You will be amazed what a smile and an introduction can get you at these events.

A note of caution the celebrity opening a new shop is unlikely to get you too many good business connections.

Other clubs:
We must all have heard about the business deal done on the golf course. Clubs exists for every hobby and interest you can imagine. By joining a local club that interests you, you will meet some new interesting people.

Pressure groups:
Pressure group meetings are strongly connected and usually attended by very active and energized people. If you are interested in the subject there will be opportunities to meet some interesting people. These situations often also have scope for volunteering and becoming involved at a strategic level.

Product launches: Product launches invariably offer at least one situation when attendees mingle. Often there are receptions afterwards. If you are able to attend where the subject is relevant to your aims, then you will find opportunities to network. The same applies to book launches and similar publicity events.

Professional body websites:
Every profession and trade is represented and connected by at least one official body. These are used for members and also offer various opportunities for outsiders to get involved and make helpful connections.

Public meetings: Public meetings are held for all sorts of reasons. Local planning consultations; presentation of local development plans.

They attract business people. At meetings like these, most attendees sit and listen for quite a while, and consequently are ready for conversation during breaks and at the close of the meeting.

Pubs: Not all pubs are good for networking, but some are great, because they are the regular haunts of local business-people. For a very long time indeed, lots of business has been done in pubs.

Seminars: Seminars attract business people of all sorts. Again there are usually coffee breaks which are ideal for making introductions and getting to know people. Try your 3X3X3

Shareholders meetings:
If you have company shares, you will tend to meet a lot of business people at shareholder gatherings. Many shareholders do not invest just for financial reasons - many invest because they have an enthusiasm for the company's technology or culture. In some cases can offer a relevant target group for your business networking aims.

Societies and associations:
Every specialist subject has its own society or association. These organizations offer various ways to meet their members.

Speed networking events:
Speed networking is a highly structured type of networking event, in which an organizer (there are several, of varying type and quality) coordinates quick introductions among a group of typically between 20-40 people. The concept is similar, and probably modelled on speed-dating formats.

But the word speed and networking should not be used in the same sentence. They are best viewed as door openers.

Sports clubs: Lots of business people enjoy sport, and enjoy mixing sport with business. Golf is the classic example for sports club networking. If the group is relevant to you and you enjoy the activity, concerned, consider becoming a member.

Training courses: Are excellent for meeting other business people. Many will encourage informal networking among delegates because this adds value to the quality of the event.

Some types of training bring people together in work teams, making it extremely easy to get to know all attendees and an opportunity for further networking.

Trains, boats, planes, etc.: Business-people tend to travel around a bit. When you are travelling too, keep your eyes and ears open and be ready to start conversation. Delays are particularly useful for making introductions. So are long plane and train journeys when you could be sat next to another business person for several hours. Make the most of these opportunities.

Twitter:
Twitter is a great way to get your business message out to thousands quickly. The only downside is that you can get caught up and unless you are disciplined, the hours can slip away.

Universities and colleges:
Universities and colleges are like villages. Some are like towns. They are also now run like businesses. For the past twenty years or so, these educational establishments have been increasingly keen to engage with business people of all sorts. It's a matter of talking to them and discovering what opportunities exist for getting involved.

Website forums:
Website forums exist for every subject you can think of. Each offers a networking opportunity for the subject matter concerned.

Website user groups: User groups are typically within the websites of major internet corporations such as Google and Yahoo. Many user groups are specialised, and by implication, internet networking is second-nature to most of these people. But a lot are general business and worth investigation


And many more opportunities.

Helping Real People do Real Buisness through Real Networking

The Seal of approval in networking situations, events and methods

Paul Johnstone
How many places are there to network? How many occasions are there where your networking skills can be used with effect? Far more than you might imagine.

Most of us tend to think only of the best known business networking clubs and websites. But why stop there? Business networking can be done virtually anywhere that you find business-people.

Take a look at the following list; there are some alternative situations and methods for business networking

Many of these networking situations are simply opportunities to meet people relevant to your aims, when your initiative and creativity can turn vague potential into worthwhile networking.

For all networking opportunities, your success is dependent on the relevance of the situation and the quality and energy of your involvement.

The A - M more next time...

Annual General Meetings AGMs are by their nature a regular occasion offered by corporations and membership organizations to engage with its members. Some are very formal and tightly run with little networking opportunities, but others are more sociable affairs, in which case if the group is relevant to your aims, and you can become a member it's worth consideration.

Breakfast networking clubs
There are lots of these -so start the day with some business with your Corn-Flakes. Some companies will run one-off events to connect with the local business community. There are two primary types of club. Fixed and Forum. Chose the type that suits you.

Business networking websites Since the development of interactive website technology in the late 1990s there are increasing numbers of online business networking organizations. There are lots but LinkedIn is probably the biggest and most useful. You can find lots quite easily by searching the web.

Chambers of Commerce Every county has at least one 'chamber of commerce', and many towns have chambers. Many run networking events and/or other meetings and activities which are ideal for networking.

Community social websites
Facebook is the obvious example. There are many others. Culture and demographic profile are different in each. Some of these websites and memberships are vast. Bigger than countries. This is because of the social aspect, which might initially be appealing, but making a business impact can be very challenging due to the scale of these operations.

Conferences Conferences are full of people with common interests. Coffee breaks are an ideal time to make introductions.

Conventions Conventions are organized for all sorts of special interest groups. If the group is relevant to your aims in any way, then their convention could offer excellent networking opportunities.

Exhibitions Are obviously full of business people with a common interest. Most exhibitions rightly do not like visitors to canvass the exhibitors, but there are plenty of other situations to meet people and network. The coffee bar is a great place just to start a conversation and see where it leads you.

Foreign trade visits
Local chambers of commerce, regional development agencies, routinely organize trade missions and gatherings to promote international trade for their region and/or members. Scratch the surface and you will be amazed at the connections you can make at these events.

Hospitality events Fewer these days but they still happen. They are usually organized by corporations to get to know their suppliers and customers. If you find yourself involved in one of these it will present some of the best conditions for business networking that you will ever experience. Elevator pitch and memory magic will serve you well.

Institutes for industries Every industry has its own institute or similar. Various events and methods generally exist by which outsiders can engage with the institute's membership.

Interactive special interest websites Networking has been made much easier with the advent of interactive membership websites. When you have identified your target groups, there will be a specialist membership website somewhere which represents and brings them together.

Lectures and seminars These occur widely and are held or promote various organizations. Obviously they attract a common grouping of people interested in the subject concerned. Practice talking to open groups at these events.

Local networking events Anyone can set up a networking event, so you can find isolated or more permanent networking operations cropping up near you.


So there you have it the A - M - Fill your boots as the saying goes. N - z follows shortly

Helping Real People do Real business through Real Networking