We asked Rachel Hargrave, our managing director and founder of The Phoenix Partners to consider the best ways of making the most of networking situations based on her own experiences. Rachel is the vice-chair of the local branch of the Institute of Director’s which hosts regular networking events.
These are her top tips –
1. Go prepared; know who’s going to be attending and choose who you’d like to talk to.
2. Research those you’ve chosen; don’t go in cold. Make sure you know something about them / their business to help the conversation start and move forwards.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; if you can’t find who you’re looking for, or you’d like a personal introduction – just ask the event organiser. It really is what they are there for!
4. Read the room; if people are standing facing each other then they probably don’t want to be interrupted. However, if they are standing in an ‘open two’ (shoulder to shoulder looking around the room, or at an angle to each other) their body language is saying that they are open to being joined by another. Go join them!
5. Have your pitch ready; when someone asks you what you do you need to be clear, succinct and most importantly – memorable! Work on your pitch and don’t be afraid to change it / ask for feedback on it.
6. Say ‘hi’ to those you already know; it’s all about establishing relationships so don’t ignore those you already know. Check in on them but don’t take the easy option and just stay with them!!
7. Follow up afterwards; always follow up those you’ve met afterwards no matter how interested they were in you / your business / your product or service. It’s not about now with networking but about now AND the future so …. Keep open the lines of communication. You never know who could become your next biggest recommender / referrer!!
For more information please contact:
Rachel Hargrave
t: 01509 815026
e: Rachel@thephoenixpartners.com
For more information on the Institute of Directors please visit www.iod.com/home/local-network/east-midlands
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