how to build a kick ass business network

Building a Kick Ass Business NetworkNI Chamber of Commerce/Arts Council of NI

13 March 2014

A bit about me …

• I started life as a commercial accountant• I left my safe job to become a Silicon Valley dotcommer• Became an entrepreneur later in life than most• Have founded 4 startups of my own … so far!• I’ve been described by others as “as a collector of people

and a nurturer of networks” – I’ve been doing that all of my life• I’ve only ever applied for a job through formal means once

in my life

Why bother with networking?

Why bother with networking?

“You start forming relationships the day you are born; growing and nurturing those relationships is key to the success of an entrepreneur”

Why bother with networking?

• Gain introductions• Meet people you can access for help & advice• Make sales and get new leads• Personal career advice• We live in an increasingly collaborative world

Why bother with networking?

“No matter who you are, most of the smartest people workfor someone else”

Sun Microsystems

Why bother with networking?

“In order to be open for business, you need to be open in everysense of the word”

How do I get started?

How do I get started?

• Think about who you already know• Join some organisations – formal & informal• Start to write a blog or comment on other people’s • Join some LinkedIn or Facebook groups & make smarter use

of Twitter• Do some homework before you attend events

What are the Rules?

• Be brave and approach strangers – what’s the worst that can happen• Be friendly and pleasant• Have a 30 second elevator pitch and be ready to trot it out• Be ambitious in who you reach out to – especially online• Remember this is a two-way street & karma plays a part

Watch out for the Cardinal Sins?

• Not following up• Playing a numbers game• Rejecting anyone you deem to not be useful• Mixing up networking and selling – a complete no-no• Disregarding reputational capital• If you’re the “recipient” – don’t expect the other party to do

any running or heavy lifting

A nice visual representation

So - what’s networking ever done for me?• I’ve met some very interesting people – many of whom are

now friends• I’ve given my business a personality• Networking has led to new work and engagements• I’m better informed than I would otherwise be• I’ve dramatically increased my reach & made myself more

visible• I found a wonderful non exec director for my Board• I’ve met people who I’ve later recruited• Oh yeah – I’ve had a lot of laughs along the way

I even met this guy…

…and persuaded this one to let me put him on a mug…

…and I was the proud recipient of an MBE this month…

Final thought …

“A wide and varied network is a thing of beauty and a joy forever – so building it is definitely worth the effort”

• Email address mary@kickhq.com• Read my blog at www.kickingassets.co.uk

• Connect with me on Twitter at @MMaryMcKenna