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Network like a natural!

It can be disheartening to turn out to lots of events only to find that the impact you hoped for – perhaps a boost to your pipeline – has not been achieved as quickly as you hoped. Add to that, networking can seem like an entirely unnatural process where it is easy to get self-conscious and tongue-tied.

Putting in effort on preparation is often the key to making networking a success.

We’ve put together some tips on how to make the most out of every networking opportunity.

  1. Use your network time wisely. First and foremost, who do you want to build relationships with? This will determine which networks and events are best to join. Research what’s out there to compare the value of each event. Consider the costs of taking time out of your day, travel costs and any attendance fees and weigh them up against expected benefits. Are a high number of decision-makers expected to be present, for example? Or will there be ample publicity about the event afterwards that might bring positive coverage for your business?
     
  2. Set your goals beforehand. It can be really daunting to enter a room full of strangers and then be expected to happily converse without cringe-worthy inhibition. If that’s you, why not set yourself a challenge beforehand so you’re less likely to bottle out? If you determine to speak to at least five different people, it may give you the impetus you need when you feel your enthusiasm waning.
     
  3. Have your ‘elevator pitch’ ready. There can be a lot of pressure to get the perfect elevator pitch together (an American term for how you describe what you do in the time it takes an elevator/lift to reach your chosen floor). Well-rehearsed lines can come across as robotic and one-size-fits-all so you may want to consider instead something more natural. Your main goal here is for others to go away with an accurate and lasting idea of what you do (even if they have no need for your products or services, either now or in the future, they may know others who do). You might ask your fellow attendee why they’re there and answer the same question yourself. “For me, it’s about finding people who need help with their XX. I’ve been working with XX recently on XX and it’s a service I’d really like to explore with others.”
     
  4. Pick your targets. None of us knows who it might be worthwhile to talk to and who not but sometimes fate plays a hand. A quick scan of the room will identify who is happy to be engaged (perhaps those standing on their own or in an ‘open’ group – i.e. all standing in a horseshoe or other open-facing shape) and who isn’t (two or three people huddled together with their backs to the rest of the room).
     
  5. It’s OK to be an introvert. With preparation, networking can be an introvert’s paradise! A ninja skill of an introvert is their excellent listening skills which means finding out lots about the person they’re speaking with. This is really useful intel in uncovering natural synergies with others. Active listening also makes for a much more interesting conversation!
     
  6. Don’t be a cling-on! If you’re not outgoing, it can be tempting to latch onto the first person you speak to and stick with them for the whole event. They may well be happy to spend the duration with you too but it means you both miss out on speaking to others. Let a conversation run its natural course, make sure you’ve noted their name so that you can follow up appropriately, and then politely exit left and look for the next person to speak to.

    Some example phrases you could use:
    “It’s been lovely talking to you. I need to catch up with a few more people before I head off.”
    “I’ve really enjoyed talking to you and look forward to helping each other out. I promised myself I’d circulate here tonight, so I’ll go and mingle a bit.”
     
  7. Don’t be shy in following up. Engaging with someone at a network meeting is only the start of the journey. Be bold in suggesting a follow-on meeting. Whether it’s a catch-up over coffee or a Teams meeting, it presents an opportunity to further explore how you might help one another.

There are lots of great events and networks you can join, not least those that are run by East Midlands Chamber:

Workshops too provide the opportunity to make new connections. Check out the latest fully-funded Accelerator workshops if you’re a business based in Amber Valley, Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Chesterfield, Derby, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash, Gedling, High Peak, Leicester City, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood, North East Derbyshire, Nottingham, Rushcliffe or South Derbyshire.

Other networks to explore across our region include:

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Peter Lawrence​​​​
Business Adviser
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