1. Startup
Networking
and Leadership
Michael French
Founder and CEO
Direct Marketing Software
Bizeo

2. Why do we network?

3. Customers

4. Business Partners

5. Suppliers

6. Advisors

7. Resellers/distributors

8. Build your Brand

9. Employers

10. Employees

11. Internships

12. Investors

13. Board Members

14. Advocates

15. Friends and peers

16. Ideas

17. Test Ideas

18. Team building

19. Competitive Intelligence

20. Other people’s networks

21. Business Partnerships

22. Businesses to invest in

23. Businesses to buy

24. How To Network
 Online
 Blogs
 Social media
 Email
 Phone
 Events
 Tradeshows
 Anywhere there are relevant people
 Including…
At University!

25. Where to network
 River City Labs
 Queensland Leaders
 TEC – The Executive
Connection
 Pitcher partners
 IT Qld events
 Microsoft Innovation Centre
 iLab
 Bizspark Expressway
 Queensland Business Group
 Digital Economy
Queensland
 Digital Brisbane
 Meetups
 Macquarie Telecom
 IBM
 Queensland Small Business
activities
 Microsoft user groups
 Xerocon
 ADMA forum
 FIA events
 Leaders in Business
 Alumni events

26. The BIG problem
 It’s not natural to most of us!

27. Face to Face Considerations
 Get over your shyness but don’t be too overbearing
 Put the relationship before the sale
 Listen
 Adjust to your audience
 Be genuine
 Always follow up
 Make sure you get their business card or contact details, don’t rely
on them calling you
 If they don’t have a business card make sure you write their details
on one of yours. Keep a pen handy
 Have a pitch – but don’t pitch unless asked to
 Listen
 Have great stories
 Listen

28. Be memorable

29. Tradeshows
 Know what your pre, during and post
event plans are ahead of time.
 You don’t always have to exhibit
 Make sure you go to the dinners and
networking events

30.  Don’t be afraid to ask about people they
might know.
 Develop key referrers
 Use a sales pipeline tool or equivalent;
make sure you follow up long term as well.
 Build and maintain a database.

31. Focus on
 Quality over quantity; expect to walk
away with a couple of good leads rather
than hundreds.

32.  Have confidence
 Listen
 Review
 Learn
 Refine

33.  http://www.rebekahcampbell.com/2013/
07/30/sole-founder-vs-co-founders/
 Have you worked on a joint project?
Imagine your destiny being locked into
that group.
 Pros & Cons of joint business

34. Your are
 Team Selector
 Coach and motivator
 Manager
 Financial Controller
 Marketer
 Chief Sales Person
 Human Resources Manager
 The Oracle of all knowledge
 The Solver of all problems
 Responsible for making sure the bins get emptied

35. Are you a psychopath?
 http://www.smartcompany.com.au/entre
preneurs/057195-hannibal-lecter-ceo-
new-research-likens-entrepreneurs-to-
psychopaths.html?utm_source=SmartCo
mpany&utm_campaign=1de7e04963-
Tiesday_27_August_201327_08_2013&utm_
medium=email&utm_term=0_234118efee-
1de7e04963-93636037

36. Any questions?
 Email: mike@dmsw.com.au
 Phone: 07 3510 9555
Thank you