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Networking for Entrepreneurs
Bonnie Hacking, University of St Andrews
Agenda
• What is networking and what makes networking important to you and your venture
• How to network successfully
One thing I can offer to other entrepreneurs is…
Business networking is the process of establishing a mutually beneficial
relationship with other business people and potential clients and/or customers.
Discussion:What people and organisations would be useful to
you in getting your business up and running?
Step 1 – Setting goals
Step 2 – Meeting people
and making connections
Step 3 – Sharing
information
Step 4 – Following up
Where do you start?
Step 1 – Setting goals
• Set goals for what you want to get out of networking, it might be:– Marketing yourself and your venture– Finding information to solve a business
problem– Finding customers– Finding support or finance– Building relationships with people who can
help you
Activity
• List 5 ways networking can help you with your business– Prioritise 3 of these reasons and state them
as goals– Identify networking opportunities
Five reasons
Example - Need to sell more products
Three goals
Find new customers and sell more products.
Networking opportunities
Join the community youth group
Step 2 – Meeting people and making connections
• Make a good impression– Make eye contact– Genuine smile– Handshake
• Show real interest in those you meet– Ask questions!!– Listen carefully to the answers
Activity – Who’s in your network?
• Make a list of people you know– Friends and family– Neighbours– Community leaders– Business people
• For each person, ask yourself:– Can they give me advice to improve my business?– Can I sell my service / product to them?– Can they refer customers to me?– Can they put me in contact with someone else?
• Where else can you meet people?
Step 3 – Sharing information
• Purpose is to build a relationship!• Participate actively
– If you can introduce someone you meet to someone else you know, do so
– If you can provide any information to help them, do so
• Exchange contact details, business cards are ideal
Step 4 – Following up
• MOST IMPORTANT!!!!• Do it soon after you meet.• Written in the first instance
– Provide background on where you met and the reason you are getting in touch
– Explain why you want to meet / talk further.– Indicate you will call shortly to make an
appointment– Call!!!
Hints and tips
• Greet each new acquaintance with an openness to learn more about that person, a willingness to help, and an offer to stay in touch.
• Groups of 3 are easier to join in• Have 3-4 questions ready to ask
– How did you get into the field you are in?– What projects are you currently working on?– What do you like best about what you do?
• Don’t be afraid to say ‘nice to meet you’ and move on• Note on the business card what you should ask them
Events in Moscow
Russo-British Chamber of Commerce www.rbcc.com
Global Business Networking – Launch of the Autumn Season
The event will start on : 20 Sep 11 19:00And will end on : 20 Sep 11 22:00
At : tbc (Moscow)
Click here to register : [email protected]
Phone +7 (495) 961 21 60 ext. 116
Online resources
www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/networking
www.networkingeffectively.com
www.marketingforsuccess.com/networking-guide/
www.businessknowhow.com/tips/networking.htm
Bonnie HackingEnterprise Adviser, Careers CentreUniversity of St Andrews
Email: [email protected]
@BonnieH1
