NETWORKING TIPS part 2

A few weeks ago I wrote a few networking tips that I found quite helpful in getting yourself out there and meeting people socially or if it is only for business purposes. So I will be posting the principles and their explanations for you to read and try to incorporate them in small(informal) conversations you may have with someone then on to the much bigger (formal) conversations.
For those who didn't get to read the previous post here is the link and for those who already did, hope you learn something useful :)

 Fabulous Sister: GIRLFRIENDS CONNECT: NETWORKING TIPS part 1

1. describe yourself - elevator speech

This is commonly called an 'elevator speech' or 'elevator pitch' - as if you were to meet a potentially important contact for the first time in an elevator at a conference and he/she asks you: "What do you do?" You have no more than 20 seconds - perhaps just 10-15 seconds - between floors to explain, and to make such an impressive impact that the person asks for your contact details.
If you talk (or write) too much, the listener (or reader) will become bored, or think you are rude or too self-centred.

Be concise. You will demonstrate consideration and expertise by conveying your most relevant points in as short a time as possible.
Here are the main points for creating your elevator speech:

1. your name	"My name is..." Look the other person in the eye. Smile. Shoulders back. Speak with confidence. Sincerity and passion are crucial in making a strong early impression.
2. your business name	"I work for..." or "My business is ..." Loud clear proud again. Do not ask "Have you heard of us..?" or wait for recognition.
3. based and covering where	"I am based..." and "I cover..." Adapt the town, city, geography for the situation. There is little value in mentioning a tiny village if you are at a global gathering, or your global coverage if you are at a local town gathering. Make this relevant to the situation.
4. your personal specialism and/or offering, and your aims	Be different and special and better in some way from your competitors. Be meaningful for the event or situation or group, and as far as you can guess, be meaningful for the contact. Express what you offer in terms of positive outcomes for those you help or supply, rather than focusing on technical details from your own viewpoint. Load your statements here with special benefits or qualities. Be positive, proud and ambitious in your thinking and expression of what you do. Include in this statement what your aims are, to show you have ambition and that you know what you are seeking from network contacts.

Aim to complete your explanation in less than 20 seconds.
Less is more: lots of powerful points in very few words make a much bigger impact than a lengthy statement. It is a sign of a good mind if you can convey a lot of relevant impressive information in a very short time.
Conversely, a long rambling statement shows a lack of preparation, professionalism and experience.

While you are speaking look the other person in the eyes, and be aware of his/her body language to gauge for interest and reaction to you personally, and to help your assessment of the other person's character and mood.
After your 'elevator speech' end in a firm, positive, constructive way.

Ending with a question enables more to happen than letting the discussion tail off nowhere or into polite small-talk.
After giving your elevator speech avoid the temptation to force your business card onto the other person (unless this is the tone and expectation of the event), and certainly do not launch a full-blooded sales pitch.
Instead try to develop the discussion around what the other person wants to do, achieve, change, grow, etc.

2. Be different and ambitious

Look again at how you describe your business offering (or yourself as a person) - what's different or special about it (or you) compared with all the others?
If there is no difference, you must find a way to create one.

Sometimes this is merely a matter of redefining or placing different emphasis on what you already are and already do. This difference must be something that plenty of people will find appealing; ideally irresistible. If you are struggling to find a difference or market advantage, look at your competitors and talk to your customers, and discover what's missing and what can be dramatically improved out there. There is always at least one thing, usually more - perhaps you can bundle two or three powerful market advantages together. This difference needs to shine out in your elevator speech, and be echoed in your subsequent discussions whenever initial interest develops towards supplying something, or putting a collaborative project together.

Aim high and big when thinking about and expressing yourself and your aims. Be realistic of course, but aim to be the best and to lead in some way, in whatever specialisms and market-place you operate.

http://www.businessballs.com/business-networking.htm

GIRLFRIENDS CONNECT: NETWORKING TIPS part 1

On the final stages of getting my first 'girl friends connect' forum off the ground. What it is about is just getting friends and their friends (and the cycle continues) together in a fun environment and get to have one on one discussions about:
1. Finance-how to spend, invest and what not to spend your money on.
2. Fashion- make-up, nails, hair, whats hot,where to get what, where, when, why
3. Insurance- what you need to know, what do you need to be insured for and by who. Hmmm
4. Entrepreneurship- get over the fear of failure, how to write a business plan, who is doing what,
5. Education- is that M.B.A necessary, what is the best place to do this or study that,
6. Relationships-yikes!!!!lol I wont get into that but basically famiky, friends, your partner
7. Religion
Though to me it is just a way to have friends and friends of friends come together and have fun while learning some pretty relevant things about anything and everything under the sun. One of my friends brought to my attention the fact that its not just what my little mind can farthom.lol but it can be a networking tool for most. I see it as a social networking endeavour while she saw it as a business networking idea. Anyway, whatever it is, I hope its a fun and informative way to keep in touch with one another, learn something new and grow- whivh is quite necesarry might I add.
Found this today on my daily internet excursions basically about networking 101 and thought I should share hope it will be of help ;)
"These tips apply broadly to any sort of business networking - face-to-face, organized events, business social networking websites, etc:
ten essential principles
1. Elevator speech.Describe yourself concisely and impressively.
2. Be different.Differentiate yourself. Aim high. Be best at something.
3. Help others.Help others and you will be helped.
4. Personal integrity.Integrity, trust and reputation are vital for networking.
5. Relevant targeting.Groups and contacts relevant to your aims and capabilities.
6. Plans and aims.Plan your networking - and know what you want.
7. Follow up.Following up meetings and referrals makes things happen.
8. Be positive.Be a positive influence on everyone and everything.
9. Sustained focused effort.Be focused - and ever-ready.
10. Life balance.Being balanced and grounded builds assurance."
Ref: http://www.businessballs.com/business-networking.htm
Do have an awesome weekend loves :)