This document provides a 12-module guide for effective networking. It defines networking, explores its benefits both internally and externally, and common obstacles like personality traits and cultural barriers. The guide outlines key networking principles such as building relationships through listening, offering value, and building trust. It also provides best practices for networking including recognizing formal and informal opportunities, proper etiquette, and maintaining relationships over time through regular contact and personal attention. The overall goal is to teach attendees how to effectively develop and leverage their professional networks.
2. Module One: Getting
Started
Networking is unavoidable in modern
society. Many people focus on
external networking, but the
networking process must be used
with the company in order to be truly
effective.
Networking is
marketing.
Market yourself,
market your
uniqueness,
market what
you stand for.
Christine
Comaford-
Lynch
4. Module Two: The Benefits
of Networking at Work
It is easy to overlook the need to
make connections within your own
organization. The benefits of
networking at work, however, are
valuable to any career.
Pulling a good
network
together takes
effort, sincerity,
and time.
Alan Collins
9. Case Study
Joe and Audri are both eligible for a
promotion
Audri has a visible presence
Joe has no time to socialize
Audri is given the promotion
10. Module Three:
Networking Obstacles
Like every endeavor in life, you will
face obstacles in your networking.
Fortunately, you will be able to
navigate and avoid many of these
obstacles by correctly defining
networking and swallowing your
pride.
Obstacles are
those frightful
things you see
when you take
your eyes off
your goal.
Henry Ford
11. Confusion about the Definition
of Networking
Confusion over
the definition
Fail to network
effectively
Equate
networking
with socializing
Neither results
in true business
connections
15. Case Study
Alicia and Kerry are partners at work
Attempt to network throughout the office
Project that goes beyond the scope of their knowledge
Complete the project without any help
16. Module Four: Networking
Principles
Now that you know the basic
definition of networking and how to
avoid common obstacles, it is time to
learn the basic networking principles.
Nothing
liberates your
greatness like
the desire to
help, the desire
to serve.
Marianne
Williamson
21. Case Study
Joe and Stephanie are rivals, both hoping to
become the new head of their department
Stephanie is determined
She stole a coworker’s idea
No one in the office trusted her
22. Module Five: How to Build
Networks
Now that you understand the
principles of networking, it is time to
address building your network. The
guidelines to building networks
require using basic common sense.
You take people
as far as they
will go, not as
far as you would
like them to go.
Jeanette
Rankin
23. Meet New People
Introduce yourself to people
Invite people to join you for lunch
Attend groups and functions
24. Be Polite
Make a good impression
Pay attention to people
Be considerate
Think before acting
25. Follow up
Extend an invitation
Continue your conversation if possible
Suggest an article or book based on the previous meeting
26. Allow Relationships to Develop
Naturally
Natural development that
should not be rushed
Avoid appearing desperate
Only contact people three
times
27. Case Study
Matt felt that he and his new contact,
George, really hit it off
Matt emailed George after meeting him
George never responded
Matt decided to call him
28. Module Six: Recognize
Networking Opportunities
You cannot build networks unless you
are able to recognize networking
opportunities around you. It is
imperative that you take advantage
of the formal networking, informal
networking, and workday
opportunities that you encounter.
Success always
comes when
preparation
meets
opportunity.
Henry
Hartman
29. Formal Networking
Vary with each
organization
Takes place at
organized social
events
Ranges from
professional and
social groups
30. Informal Networking
Happens more
frequently than
formal
networking
Opportunities
occur every day
Occur with
email
interactions,
coffee breaks,
lunches, and
group
discussions
32. Always Be Ready to Network
Look the part at all times
Make personal gestures
Pay attention to changes in
the industry
33. Case Study
Gina and Martha both decided to join the
committee to host the company’s charity run
Gina showed up in running clothes
Martha was dressed professionally
Uncomfortable for everyone
34. Module Seven: Common
Networking Mistakes
Before going any further, it is time to
point out the common networking
mistakes that people make so that
you can avoid them.
Do not fear
mistakes. You
will know
failure.
Continue to
reach out.
Benjamin
Franklin
35. Not Meeting New People
Because of
their
personalities
List of excuses
Prioritize what
is important
36. Not Following Through
Easy to get caught up in
meeting new contacts
Follow up with each
contact individually
Contact will forget
about you
38. Being Professional
Will not encourage people to join your social network
Confuse being professional with being distant
Needs to be balanced
39. Case Study
Heath met Joan at a company party and was
impressed at her grasp of the new accounting system
Gave him her contact information
Promised to discuss the system with him
Heath decided to wait a few days
40. Module Eight: Develop
Interpersonal Relationships
As we have already discussed,
networking is actually relationship
building. Developing and maintaining
intrapersonal relationships takes the
time and effort, but they are worth
the payoff.
Everyone has an
invisible sign
hanging from
their neck
saying, ‘Make
me feel
important.
Mary Kay Ash
41. Be Genuine
Essential to
be genuine
Feel that it
requires being fake
Build relationships
on common interests
42. Dialogue
Listen actively and without interrupting
Be respectful even when you disagree
Resist the urge to argue when you respond
45. Case Study
Jeff was working hard to increase his
network
Charles saw Jeff as an invaluable source
Jeff soon began to resent the amount of time that
Charles took
Something had to change
46. Module Nine: Online
Networking Tools
Taking part in the networking
requires using the appropriate tools.
Fortunately, the internet provides a
number of online networking tools
that will assist your networking
activities.
Wikis and social
networking are
just tools.
Jimmy Wales
48. Blogs
Limit post to topics that you understand well
Link posts to social media and other sites
Comment on blogs written by other people to
begin a dialogue
49. Chat Rooms
More difficult to navigate than
social networks
Helpful for meeting new
people
Numerous chat rooms
51. Case Study
James and Karen worked in different
departments
Connected on social media
Did not communicate frequently
Began a blog without the other knowing
52. Module Ten: Time
Management
Making networking a priority
requires time management skills.
When it comes to time management
in networking, it is important to
prioritize contacts and schedule
activities.
A man who
dares waste one
hour of his time
has not
discovered the
value of life.
Charles
Darwin
56. Schedule Your Networking
Activities
Need to be scheduled or you will forget
about them
Schedule out a week in advance
Needs include time for online networks,
group activities, and private meetings
57. Case Study
Ben invites four coworkers to a group activity
The outing is a picnic
Patty sprains her ankle
Wary of Ben’s outings after this incident
58. Module Eleven: Maintaining
Relationships Over Time
The webinar may be done, but your
work is not finished. You still have to
follow up with people and post the
event online. You should also contact
no shows and focus on a call to
action.
When you stop
expecting
people to be
perfect, you can
like them for
who they are.
Donald Miller
59. Contact Networks Regularly
Not enough to contact
people with group messages
Send personal emails, talk on
the phone, meet for coffee
Not essential to connect this
way on a daily
62. Limit Networks to a
Manageable Size
Is everyone in the network committed to
growing the relationship?
Do you personally know everyone in the
network?
Review your contacts periodically
63. Case Study
Donna was determined to make networking
a success
Connected with everyone she met on social media
Dale could hardly remember meeting Donna
He ignored her communications
64. Module Twelve:
Wrapping Up
Although this workshop is coming to a
close, we hope that your journey to
improve your Networking skills is just
beginning.
Please take a moment to review and
update your action plan. This will be a
key tool to guide your progress in the
days, weeks, months, and years to
come.
Will the social
networking
phenomenon
lessen? I don’t
think so.
Marissa
Mayer
65. Words from the Wise
Dale
Carnegie
• You can make more friends in two
months by becoming interested in
other people than you can in two
years by trying to get other people
interested in you.
Maya
Angelou
• I’ve learned that people will forget
what you said, people will forget
what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.