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Networking 101: Why – and How – To Network. Presented by Sally Glick, Chief Marketing Officer Sobel & Co. LLC. What is Networking?. Meeting people who can be of help to you and being a help to them Using contacts for purposes beyond the reason for the initial contact
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Networking 101:Why – and How – To Network Presented by Sally Glick, Chief Marketing Officer Sobel & Co. LLC
What is Networking? • Meeting people who can be of help to you and being a help to them • Using contacts for purposes beyond the reason for the initial contact • Connecting with people of like interests for the purpose of uncovering opportunities, identifying landmines and learning of best practices • Opportunities of all kinds and at all levels • Gaining access to new spheres of influence
Why is Networking So Hard? • It is difficult to talk to people you don’t know • There is not enough time for follow up • It takes patience - meaningful relationships take years to build • There may not be an immediate ROI • It is hard to ask for help
Bill Cosby’s Advice “Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.”
Why is Networking Important? • Connections make you powerful • Connections create opportunities • Creating opportunities can lead to professional advancement • You can add more value if you know more people
Many Kinds of Networking • Small group settings • Individual meetings – esp., breakfast or lunch meetings • Conferences and large group program
Getting Started • Set a goal - know what you want to accomplish • Know who you want to meet • Be realistic – you cannot follow up with hundreds of contacts • Find out if clients/colleagues will be there • Learn something about the group/meeting • Know that to get you need to give
How You Can Network Effectively • Find events that will be useful (YPG) • Invite friends to join you • Identify who you know (alumni, neighbors)
Be Prepared – Act Like a Host • Do not try to “work” the whole room • Practice listening • Find out what they do – what they like • Introduce them to someone else in the room • Be a resource • Do not try to juggle food/drink and talk at the same time • Move around the room • Keep your business cards accessible
An Engaging Conversation • Make eye contact • Smile • Ask their opinion • Ask them all about themselves • Find common interests • Identify common acquaintances
Breaking In • Find someone standing alone • Ask if this is their first time • Ask why they came to this program • Walk up to a group and listen to flow of conversation • Remember that everyone else is there to network too!
How Can You Help Someone? • Be unselfish • Introduce them to others • Help them generate a lead • Share information you have (ex., benchmarks) • Ask what you can do for them – then do it
Follow Up • Send a note or e-mail to people whose cards you took • Call a select few that you connected with • Schedule a time to get together • Invite them to another event
Last Words “Some succeed because they are destined to; most succeed because they are determined to.” Anatole France
Call Me! I want to hear how you are doing – Sally Glick Sobel & Co. 293 Eisenhower Parkway Livingston, NJ 07039 973-994-9494 sally.glick@sobel-cpa.com