The Networking field trip, how to get the most out of an event - Simone Douglas

Introduction


The saying ‘Fortune favours the brave’ exists for a reason. There is a lot of strategy behind networking. You need to know what the moves are that you want to make. You might not know where you’re going to end up in six moves’ time, but you know where you want to end up. This means that at the very minimum, you know the first move you need to make.
 
So roadmapping is very important, and being very clear about the questions you need to ask yourself. 
 
It always starts with your business. Plan the first move and the end result. Everything in between is left open, because it’s contingent on other people. Just like chess, where you move your piece will dictate what possibilities open up and where you go next.
 
The best networkers don’t just have amazing businesses and careers, they have amazing friendships and are always at the front of the line for new opportunities
 
Networking events can be awful if you haven’t mentally prepared. Parties full of strangers can be intimidating. Trying to work a room is hard when you aren’t in the mood!
 
Here’s the thing: Networking doesn’t have to be difficult. and today we are going to show you why.
 
It is easy to get distracted by all the noise in the business world at large but jump day is your chance to settle in and work on your business and this season on your networks in ways that allow you to make the most of your opportunities today, tomorrow and forever. 

IBGR is a global community of commerce committed to your success and our programming is designed to give you the tools and resources as well as the one percenters you might be missing So buckle up because it's time to take an objective look at whether or not you are truly a centre of influence on playing in the outfield.


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​Show Objectives - The Why
The purpose of today’s show is to understand how to build authentic relationships  and strong networks through attending events.

While some people revel at the idea of meeting up with like-minded business people, many find the process of professional networking to be, disconcerting or uncomfortable. Even if you already know that networking is the next step for growing your business, you may still be unsure of how exactly you’re supposed to make networking work for you

As Maya Angelou said “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” A business owner may meet dozens of people during the day, but if you can make yourself memorable by finding a way to connect on a personal level, you won’t be forgotten.

Today’s networking field trip will share the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to building relationships through events so that you can become exceptional.




Key Issues - Owner Perspective:

1. How do I determine the best events to attend?
2. How long will it take me to know I am in the right network or room?
3. What does good follow up look like?
4. How do I create relationships from a passing introduction?

What You Need to Know - What we will be covering

1. Abandon the elevator pitch and start connecting-  People connect with stories more than sales pitches , what’s yours?
2. How to stand out in a crowd for the right reasons Being a person of substance and learning to read the room allows you to connect people even when you barely know them
3. The wingman effect- Networking with someone who knows your business as well as you know theirs allows you to connect at an event without selling yourself.
4. Positive and supportive - integrity matters - Building trust is essential for growing a strong business network.
5. Identifying the right groups and events to connect with- it all comes down to having clarity about where you need to build out your networks and where those people play. If you find that your networking is producing very low opportunities for follow up and referral, try to improve your targeting. Find different groups and methods,

What you need to do​ today
 

1. Do your research and work out what groups and events you are going to commit to as part of your business development plan.
2. Schedule in your event follow up when you book the ticket for your event.
3. Spend some time gaining clarity around what you and your business stand for.
4. Craft your BBQ stories for each vertical or service you provide.
5. Write your networking checklist
6. Workshop these processes with the team to get buy in
7. Plan to spend time putting lessons learnt and aha moments into practice.  Let me know how it goes.
8. ACT! Nothing changes if you don’t set aside time to make it happen so once you have worked out what you need to do start putting timelines and deliverables on your action plan. 

Remember networking is not a free pass; a given amount of effort will produce much greater results when applied consistently in a strongly focused way, than the same amount of effort spread over several wider activities.

This especially applies to business networking social platforms and groups, where occasional light involvement has little impact, but focused continuous effort can achieve a visible profile and build useful connections.

The same principle applies to local networking groups, where occasional participation rarely penetrates the usual inner core of members, but regular enthusiastic involvement inevitably gains attention.


Shows
Previous: Episode C4.07 
Digital Native - building networks online - Understanding the different platforms at play and how to use them effectively
 
Next: Episode C4.09 
No cup of coffee is a waste of time - Having an agenda to learn from every interaction and why it matters

Written by Simone Douglas 
The Publican & Licensee of the Duke of Brunswick Hotel, Executive Director for BNI Adelaide North one of the biggest networking organisations in the world, the driving force behind South Australia’s leading social media agency, Social Media AOK and best-selling author with her first book “Seriously Social – turning your online game into real-world gain”. and  “The Confident Networker”
Simone also serves as Deputy President of the State Chapter Committee South Australia for the Franchise Council of Australia and sits on the Franchise Advisory Council for BNI Australia

You can connect with Simone on any of her seriously social platforms
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