Networking Insight

Five Essentials for Any Networking Event

When preparing yourself to attend a networking event, make sure that you have your essentials ready. You want to maximize your time and efficiency at an event.

Below are five items that you should have ready to take with you to any networking event so you can put your best foot forward:

- Ample business cards and holder - Make sure to have plenty of business cards with you. Put some of them in a nice metal business card holder. You want to come across professional. Plenty of people run out of business cards at event. Make sure that you always have enough.

- Nice pen - When someone else gives you a business card, write notes about your conversation on the back of the card. Use a nice quality pen, which will give you more confidence but also come across professional.

- Little notebook - It is a good to have a small notebook in your pocket or purse in case you want to talk notes at the event. The notebook is especially helpful if you are listening to a speaker. Moleskin makes a nice small and professional looking notebook.

- Mints - Making a good first impression is important to build relationships. Carry mints with you so your breath is fresh at all times when talking to other people. The last thing you want is for someone to remember you for your bad breath. Listerine strips are very small and can easily fit in your pocket or purse.

-  Good attitude - When talking with others, you want them to enjoy their interaction with you. So, make sure that you come to an event with a good positive attitude. After all, your first impression is very important.

What other networking essentials are important to you?

 

Find a Key Employee Through Your Network

Your network is such a valuable asset that you should be able to find a key employee. Figure out who you need and put together a description.  Once the description is ready, think about who in your network that you should ask for assistance. Be strategic and start asking those who you think would best be able to assist you.

Initially, focus on contacting those who you have a good relationship with because they know you the best. Hopefully, you have provided enough value that they will assist you.  People feel good about helping others so put yourself in that position with your network. Make sure to reciprocate as well.

The power of numbers is extremely helpful when trying to find a new key employee. The more people who you ask to assist you the more potential candidates. Those who you contact should know you well enough to be able to find some quality people who are a good match.

Most job opportunities are found through someone's network. The same thing applies for finding a key employee. Leverage your biggest personal asset, your network, to find key staff to assist you in growing your company. Entrepreneurs find most of their early hires this way.

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Nine Summer Activities to Build Your Network

Summer is a great time to build up your network. Many opportunities exist to interact with people in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. Take advantage of a fun time of the year.

Below are nine summer activities that will assist you in building your network:

Outside Lunches - When having lunch with people, find restaurants that have outside seating. Take advantage of the weather and eat outside. We are so cooped up inside that you and your guest will be happier by being outside.

Coffee Meetings - Meet weekly with various people in your network for coffee in the morning or during the day. It is important to be in front of people so meeting at a coffee house is a great to way to get to know one another.

Sporting Events - With the warmer weather, sports activities are everywhere. Find a fun activity such as a baseball game, golfing, fishing, or boating. Whatever you decide, you will enjoy trying something new.

Happy Hours - After work drinks, especially outside, are a great way to unwind and to get know one another. Most bars have happy hours so find a place to go and enjoy.

BBQs - Many people love to cook outside, especially in the summer. Hopefully, someone in your network will invite you to a BBQ. You can also have your own BBQ and invite people.

Host Your Own Events - Bring people to you so host your own happy hour, BBQ, or speaking event. By hosting your own event, you have a great reason to reach out to people in your network. At the event, you can then connect various people together.

Attend New Events - It is always good to try new things so find a new event to attend. You may be pleasantly surprised at who you will meet. It only takes 1 or 2 new people to add to your network to make the event worthwhile.

Get Involved with a Non-Profit - Find other ways to get involved in your community by focusing your efforts on assisting with a local non-profit. You will get to meet some like-minded people and help out a great cause. Most seasoned executives are involved with a charity or non-profit.

Get to Know Someone's Personal Side - During the summer, people are generally more relaxed and doing fun activities. As a result, you will have the chance to get to know the personal side of others and vice versa. It is important to get to know people well to build long lasting relationships.