Networking Presentation at VACRAO Conference Dec 2016

What to do &Where to find it

Michael Camden, MBA Enrollment Coordinator

Troy UniversityDecember 2016

• What is Networking?

• What does it mean when we say we are going to attend a networking function?

• Are we networking sometimes when we don’t even know it?

Networking: A supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest

Outreach: the process of spreading awareness of your business by actively distributing information to find potential leads. Businesses can perform outreach through presenting at industry events, giving demos of their product, giving sales pitches to potential customers, etc.

Networking is not natural to everyone

Characteristics of Successful Networkers:

• Optimistic • Upbeat• Outgoing• Extroverted • Confident• Creative• Entrepreneurial • Inquisitive • Curious• Risk Taker

• Business Development• Sales *• Relationship Building• Collaboration on Projects• Partnership Agreements• Community Involvement• Professional Growth• Personal Satisfaction

• Use your resources!• Create Database of employers• Nurture relationships with benefits/HR

reps or private benefits coordination firms

• Do homework on organization • visit web sites, make phone calls, send info

in advance and/or after initial contact• Pull over, get out of your car, and knock

on the door!

• Corporations – small, medium, large• Military Installations• Chamber of Commerce• Educational Providers

• Colleges• Trade Schools• Public School Systems

• Charity Organizations, Community Services, Churches, Sports Organizations

• Confirm details of the event • Pack supplies• Arrive early• Organized Table• Stay to the end• Communicate with event hosts• Leave supplies behind

• Literature, freebies

Charities

Find mutual goals/objectives

• What do you seek?

• What can you offer?

Civic Organizations

• Make a Plan • Respect Personal Space• Name Tag• Shake Hands• Eye Contact• Body Language• Build Rapport• Be Cautious with Food/Drinks• Offer Assistance

• Invade Personal Space• Monopolize someone’s time• Brag• Sell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0CzIAkLvoA

• Be visible in the community• Join clubs, civic leagues, etc• Volunteer for committees • Be vocal at events

• Take a chance• Don’t hide in the corner at functions

• Seek out role models, mentors• SMILE! (:

• Networking• Relationships• Exposure/Recognition• Information• Representation• Training• Economic Development

C h a m b e r D iv is io ns

C h esa pe a ke /S u ffo lk N o rfo lk/P o rtsm o u th V irg in ia B e a ch

H a m p to n R o ad s C h a m b er

• Career Fairs• Business Expos• Business After Hours • State of the City Luncheon Series• New CEO Welcome Breakfast• New Member Briefing• Military Recognition Events

• Customers• Events• Employees• Jobs• Products/Services

• Deals/Specials• Information

• Your Chamber is NOT just a social organization.

• Your Chamber is Not a drinking club with a networking problem.

• The value of the Chamber or any association is based on your participation.• Join Committees• Sponsor Events• Take on a Leadership Role

• Japanese custom• Organizing business cards

• Rolodex• Boxes• Apps

• CamCard• FoxCard• SamCard

• Follow Up is KEY! • Deliver what you promise

• Firm Grip• Clean Hands• Eye Contact• Posture• Body Language• Name Tag• Nice to “meet” you?

Facebook for professionals www.linkedin.com

• Make Connections• Post thoughts, events, current events,

trends• Publish articles and presentations• Join professional discussion groups

• Start and/or React to discussions• Be recognized as an expert• Job Search• Stay “Connected”

• Active listening • Ask people about themselves (it’s

the thing that everyone knows best)• Ask open ended questions• Show sincere interest• Don’t make it about you• Repeat names back upon meeting

someone• Remember names and use them

• Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi • How to Work a Room, Susan RoAne

• Little Black Book of Connections, Jeffrey Gitomer

• How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie

Be prepared to represent your organization

24/7

Michael Camden, MBAEnrollment CoordinatorTroy University – Hampton Roads Student Support & Testing Centerjcamden@troy.edu 757-512-2002www.troy.edu