20140923 ga london

The Nuts & Bolts of Networking

@mstafford matthew@9others.com

07970157720

“It’s not what you know it’s who you know”.

“It’s not what you know or who you know but who knows you”.

“It’s not what you know it’s who you know”.

Self-awareness Integrity

Trust

“It’s not what you know or who you know but who knows you”.

“It’s not what you know it’s who you know”.

Our vision was for a trusted network where “your success requires the aid of others”.

Networks• Everyone is connected

• No hierarchy

• Diversify your network - but be selective

• It’s a conversation

• Old ‘boys’ conventions don’t apply

‘Networking’

• Offline can be awkward

• Online can feel like stalking

• Email can be read the wrong way

‘Networking’

• If you think of all this ‘networking’ as a conversation it will be useful, productive and even enjoyable

Offline

Offline• Get some business cards - full-size and not shiny

• Get a pen - a Sharpie is good

• Have some lines ready:

• “What are you working on?”

• “Are you working on <EVENT THEME>?”

• Where’s the beer? Do you want one?

Practice

• I’m introverted - I don’t like parties, sometimes when my dinners are full I don’t want to be there

• I can do it because I know how to enter and exit conversations

• People want to be talked to - be that person

Networking Event• There’s always Q&A - note who asks the questions

(they’re always keen to talk and won’t be too busy afterwards)

• Remember one of those questions - ask someone what they thought of the answer

• Be the helpful guy, “Is there anything you need help with right now?”

On the way home

• Write on the business cards you collected

• Follow on Twitter

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Write an email within 24 hours saying thanks

Online

Outbound LinkedIn

Do not click ‘Connect’

Now click ‘Connect’

Hi NAME, Context….. @TwitterID (can’t do emails)

Inbound LinkedIn

DO NOT ACCEPT! Click ‘View Profile’

Inbound LinkedIn

Check them out a bit more….

Then accept and follow up… It gets a conversation started…

Create some ‘canned’ responses in Google Labs…

You can do this for Calendar Invitation and Emails

Calendars• Calendar Invitations

• Precise time and duration - 15 minute chunks - stick to it.

• Title - Names of both people (via who?) - not “Meeting”

• Where - full address and www.what3words.com - not “Starbucks King’s Cross”

• Description - instructions on arrival and mobile phone numbers - do not leave blank.

Meeting People

• Arrive early

• Follow the arrival instructions

• Leave on time

• Follow up the same day - certainly within 24 hours

Email

Email introductions

Intro…

bcc introducer… Give some clear options…

This prompts a clear response…

Email Essentials

• Signature includes:

• Name. Twitter, website & phone number

• Be brief - bullet points are good

• End with a clear question

Email Essentials

• Offline can be awkward - Practice

• Online can feel like stalking - Give context

• Email can be read the wrong way - One clear ‘ask’

The Solution

@mstafford matthew@9others.com

07970157720