Become an Epic Networker: 10 Commandments to Build your

Professional Connections

David Pease, SPHR

Executive Vice President –

Chief Resource Officer

Androscoggin Bank

I. THOU SHALT KNOW THE

5 W’S OF NETWORKING. . .

The W’s of Networking –

What?

• Network [nétwerk] Noun & Verb.

A group of people who exchange information,

contacts and experience for professional or social

purposes. (The Oxford Dictionary)

• You need people in your life and they need you.

Networking is building meaningful relationships

before you need them. Networking is a strategic,

ongoing lifelong effort. (David Pease)

The W’s of Networking –

Why?

• You network to meet people, find a new job,

enhance your current role, expand your career,

explore new career options, recruit employees,

obtain referrals/sales or simply to broaden your

horizons---it is important to focus on networking to

identify contacts for future mutual benefit.

• Who learned about their current job through a

contact? Who met their spouse or significant other

through a friend or family members?

The W’s of Networking –

Who?

new friends

family

local colleagues

old friends

former colleagues

colleagues at other offices

Just a click

away…

virtual communities

Business leaders

old classmates

Family friends

School alumni

School

Networks

The W’s of Networking –

Where?

Professional

Association

Networks

Formal

Networks

Entrepreneurial

Networks

Regional

Networks

Industry

Networks

Social

Networks

Electronic

Networks

Informal

Networks

Community

Organization

Networks

Business

organizations

The W’s of Networking –

When?

Every day.

Every where.

With everyone…

All the time.

II. THOU SHALT JUST DO IT. . .

“No one knows everyone,

everyone knows someone.

No one knows everything,

everyone knows something,

all knowledge resides in humanity.”

networks.

Lévy 1997

III. THOU SHALT CREATE

A NETWORKING PLAN. . .

Planning A Networking

Campaign

1. Define your objective.

2. Select the right technique.

3. Understand that “deal flow” or your number of

prospects must be great to land one perfect business

contract.

4. Identify your target(s).

5. Work out your positioning. This is a short statement of

what you are about, what you can offer.

6. Create a written Network Plan!

IV. THOU SHALT BUILD

NETWORKING PARTNERS . . .

Building Networking

Partners

• Talk to everyone you know about your goals.

• Cultivate your relationships.

• Establish contacts before you need something.

• Clarify what network partners can and will do for you.

• Target specific contacts to build into network partners – Network coach, Image consultant, Marketing expert.

• Find those friendly network spiders - People who just seem to know everyone.

• Use the telephone.

• Use your online social network.

• Be visible at business and community events.

• Be active in professional organizations

V. THOU SHALT GROW AND INFUSE

POSITIVE ENERGY INTO YOUR NETWORK. . .

Grow & Refresh

Your Network

• Go out of your way to be where people are.

• Set time aside each month to network.

• Set a goal for meeting new people

• Create contact database – personal details, not just

exchanging business cards.

• Choose the right method for the right person.

• Warm up long-cold, older contacts.

• Continually re-evaluate your network? Adds? Delete?

• Send a birthday card or email.

• Congratulations to contacts receiving promotions or new

jobs (scan journal/media announcements).

• Send a inspiring quote or great article to a key contact.

Don’t Have Time…

Think Again!

• We meet new people all the time, with no disruption to

our schedules. Leverage these opportunities!

• Not consistently widening our circles of acquaintances

and contacts, may severely curtail our chances for

advancement and success.

• The average person knows about 250 people. And each

of those people knows, in turn, another 250 people.

• This means that for each new person you meet, you gain

access to a potential pool of 62,500 people separated

from you by just two degrees!

VI. THOU SHALT CREATE AN

EFFECTIVE ELEVATOR SPEECH. . .

Elevator Speech

• The elevator speech is a concise explanation of who you

are and what you do in 30 seconds (time it take an elevator

to travel from the top floor to the bottom floor of a high rise).

• Introduce yourself in memorable fashion, emphasize the

benefits you provide or the solutions you offer, showcase

your uniqueness to set yourself apart from the competition

and set the stage to build a new relationship.

• Script it, rehearse it, perfect it. Positive 1st impression.

• Leave them wanting more…asking you to elaborate.

• Cover the 3 Ps – Passion, Previous experience, and

Portable/transferable skills.

VII. THOU SHALT PERFECT

FACE-TO-FACE NETWORKING. . .

Face to Face

Networking

• Name tag is worn on the right side to provide an easy

sight-line to your name when shaking hands.

• Practice effective handshake…two pumps and let go.

Avoid giving a “bone crusher” or “limp fish”.

• Communicating – importance of body language, voice and

words.

• Introduce yourself. Use GNAP and Elevator Speech.

• When appropriate, exchange business cards. Customize.

• Once contact is made, networking just begins. Follow up

with those you met – sent a note - stay in touch, share info

and offer help.

• Follow up is the #1 positive trait of most effective

networkers!

VIII. THOU SHALT LEARN TO WORK A ROOM. . .

Working the Room

• Let preparation and practice be your guide. Spend some

time planning your conversation generators.

– Ask about job, company, why here…be genuinely interested.

• Carry pen, business cards, name tag, breath mints.

• Start with small talk. Find things in common. How can

you help this person? How might they assist you?

• Don't stay too long in one place. After five to eight

minutes, excuse yourself, “It was nice meeting you ... “

• Be careful with eating and drinking (keep in left hand to

always be ready to shake hands)

• Networking is less about meeting new people than

having them remember you after the fact.

IX. THOU SHALT CREATE

A STRONG PERSONAL BRAND. . .

Making an Positive

Impact

• Ask a question at a conference.

• Connect people together (Building others network!)

• Have quality conversation with a few people at a networking event.

Introduce yourself to a lot of people.

• Wear a bright ties or colorful outfit. Wear a pin/button to generate

questions/conversation.

• Make people laugh. Make people smile. Be positive!

• Be genuine, sincere and interested in everyone you meet!

• Have an opinion on everything. (But keep an open mind.)

• Take up an unusual hobby - but not too unusual.

• Provide positive feedback /compliment others.

• Establish a strong Professional Reputation – deliver on promises.

Be someone people want to meet.

7 Ways to Sharpen

Networking Skills

1. Action Plan. What do you want to accomplish?

2. Reciprocity. Mutual Benefit and Rewards.

3. Listen. People love to talk about themselves. A good listener learns and

truly understands what motivates and inspires others. Asking great

questions and showing genuine interest is memorable to the other person.

4. Approach Introverts. They have great talents and connections, don’t miss

an opportunity to meet a quality person!

5. Be Nice. Authentic. Be Positive. Integrity is the glue to your reputation.

6. Invest Selflessly. One of the quickest ways to break down barriers and

establish relationship is offer help to someone in need.

7. Guanxi. This is the Chinese word for network. Diversify your network! Do

you have people in your network who are older and younger than you, of

different races and ethnicities? This year expand your network to include

new people and their communities.

8. Create an Online Presence.

Online Networking

X. THOU SHALT HAVE

FUN NETWORKING. . .

Conclusion

• Networking can be a fun and easy way to enrich your life,

broaden your horizons, and enhance your career.

• Crucial to your success is that you treat networking as an

exchange of ideas and information and experience. You

are not "sponging" off others for your own benefit.

• Be generous in sharing your talents, experiences, and

ideas, and always be respectful of those around you.

• Mentoring and networking are not just occasional

techniques to broaden your career. You need to integrate

networking and mentoring into your daily life.

• Good luck and have fun!

Final Thoughts

A small pebble

can make a BIG ripple.

Share your talents.

Connect with others.

Questions?

David Pease, SPHR

Executive Vice President – Chief Resource Officer

Androscoggin Bank

30 Lisbon Street ~ Lewiston, ME 04243

dpease@ androscogginbank.com

207-376-3506

Please feel free to request a connection with

me on LinkedIn.com or Facebook.com.

Follow me @MaineHR on Twitter.com.

Enhancing Online

Presence

• Headline! (Most important section of profile – 120 words) • Photo (Headshot) • Summary (Think this is a Bio Overview. Brochure of You. • Specialties (Key words for searches) • Work experience & Education, Professional Groups • Websites (company, personal, association). • Establish a LinkedIn public profile • Update your status weekly. • Join LinkedIn Groups. Comment (Ask and answer discussion questions). Share articles. Create new group. • Expand your connections on a regular basis (searches) • Give & Seek Recommendations • Start a blog. Twitter.