Networking can be a very effective way of developing your business contacts and your business skills.
Here are a few tips we've gathered that you can use to make the most of your networking experience.
Here are a few tips we've gathered that you can use to make the most of your networking experience.
- Know who's coming
- Find out who else will be there (use the booking list) and see if there is anyone interesting you'd like to talk to, either because they might be useful to you or because you might be useful to them. Then track them down. Ask Kath if you're not sure which face fits the name.
- Know what you want to achieve
- Set yourself targets. For example 'catch up with 3 existing business contacts and make 3 new business contacts'.
- Know your contacts
- Take time to inform yourself about the businesses of the people you meet, know what they do, who their clients are and where your contact fits into the business. This makes you better placed to get business for them or to offer them advice which may help them develop their business.
- Be prepared
- Make sure you have all the kit you need: business cards, note paper, pen, brochures or leaflets to explain what you do, product samples (if it's appropriate) etc.
- Be proactive
- Don't forget to pass business on to other people in the group, it's a good way to build relationships that may involve you getting work from them later.
- Follow through
- Take the time to write notes about where and when you met people, what important information you learnt, what events they are planning to go to, what sorts of clients they are looking for... This is especially important if you are not a sole trader, as your colleagues need that information at hand in case they have further contact with those people.