Energising your Network, Maximising your Opportunities & Other Ways to Shine!

Energising Your Network!
The first step to energising your network is to become an active member. Once you decide on a
group to join it is important to become an active member so others will get to know you.
This is concept literally follows the theory of ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’.
1.) Step out of your comfort zone
Although bungy-jumping is an example of stepping out of your comfort zone, proactively
spending time with people you have not yet meet within your network, may provide similar
elements of self-satisfaction; and will benefit your network as a whole.
• Offer to give a 1min presentation on your business,
• Offer a prize at networking meetings/ or
• Choose to become actively involved in your networking association.
These are all actionable ideas on stepping out of your comfort zone
2.) Take a genuine interest in people, play host, and look for opportunities where
you can genuinely help people
Networking events can be an environment in which certain guests feel uncomfortable.
• Offer to get a cup of tea for a guest
• Offer your seat to a late comer/ or
• Offer to share relevant contacts with new members.
Your openness is felt and will be appreciated.
3.) Take ownership of relationship building
Meeting someone once is just the beginning. The core reason for networking is to cultivate
deeper relationships.
• Be the person who is the conversation starter
• Ask what people are struggling with or celebrating
• Take charge and/
• Work towards cultivating and building relationships
4.) It is essential to know why you’re attending the networking meeting
One of the most common mistakes that people make when entering a networking situation is
that they don’t have a firm goal in mind.
Are you looking for new prospects, to meet colleagues for possible collaborations, create a
mutual referral partnership, create name recognition for you and your business or just "shop
around" for interesting business-based news and information?
5.) Be prepared
You don’t need to join the scouts, however ‘being prepared’ is essential in energising your
networking skills. Remember to bring all the tools you need to help you network (business
cards, pens, name badge etc).
6.) Identify people in the group you want to meet
Identify people you can learn from, you admire or people who might be valuable business
contacts.
You can use this networking opportunity to find a mentor, new friends, business associates or
colleagues.

Maximise Your Networking Opportunities
Meeting a person once doesn’t mean you have networked, nor does it mean that they will
remember you as a business contact.
In a lot of ways, networking is like brand awareness marketing, your job it to remain front of mind
without annoying your contacts.
Effective Follow-up:
1.) Make notes on the back of the business cards you receive.
If you exchange business cards with someone, make a note of the meeting date and a couple
of notes about your conversation.
2.) Create another contact opportunity
If you are not yet ready to meet someone for coffee, arrange to stay in contact and build your
relationship by creating another contact opportunity.
• Can you invite your contact to another meeting?
• Should you introduce specific contacts to this person? Or/
• Would they like to receive your e-newsletter?
ETC Business Advisory Service has strengthened client relationships and introduced new
businesses to networking by hosting a table at networking functions.
This concept can be applied to most business. Invite some of your best clients to a networking
function and mentor them into networking.
3.) Follow-up and keep in contact
It’s important that you structure your day in a way that you follow-up the same day that you
have exchanged business cards. It may be a simple as a brief email, a phone call or an
invitation to coffee- the main concept is that you are proactive in following up and keep in
contact at least once every three months.
4.) See every meeting as a networking opportunity
It’s important to think outside the square and look for opportunities and treat every meeting as
a networking opportunity.

Other ways to Shine
Present the Total Package
If there was ever an instance that you were forced to make a snap decision based on personal
presentation, mannerisms, body language and brief conversations- networking is that
situation.
• We’ve all heard that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have- but I
have another little rule I like to apply to business attire:
‘If it wrinkles or clings, wrap your food in it!’
• It’s also important that you adapt your language and technique to suit your audience.
The basic rule is to keep business correspondence personable but professional.
• Try not to dominate a conversation and allow people the opportunity to excuse
themselves. We’ve all been caught in situations in which we couldn’t get a word in edge-
way, nor have we been able to escape from a conversation.
• And my final pointer...Listen more, talk less
Ask people questions and get them talking about themselves and their businesses.
Mastering the art of effective networking is like any other business activity. Networking
requires time, dedication and attention to detail.
Take the time to master these tips and you will be abundantly rewarded.

For more workshops or one-o-one consulting on these topics contact

Stefanie Wilson - Business Facilitator
Enterprise & Training Company Limited
Phone: 02) 66485400