Networking Rachel Woolley Jim Baxter Research and Innovation Support Conference

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Overview Making the best of networking opportunities Your verbal business card Putting networking into practice

Networking Bingo Research and Innovation Support Conference

Making the best of networking opportunities Rachel Woolley

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Why Network? Gain information Form relationships – gain allies Innovate – seek opinions and ideas Personal benefit – make your work life easier For the benefit of the University of Leeds

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 What makes networking so useful? You can choose who you talk to and for how long You can introduce yourself to anyone You don’t need to stick to an agenda You can be more open People are more honest in an informal environment

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Do you have to love it? No, but it helps Some of the best networkers are shy introverts that have learnt networking through practice

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Preparation – the most important element of networking Look the part, feel the part Check the list of attendees –Who do you already know? –Who would you like to meet and why? Check the agenda for –Opportunities to network –Relevant activities you could discuss –What people may be interested in discussing

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Preparation – the most important element of networking Target or no target –Some people set themselves targets of the number of people to meet –Some people have a target to speak no longer than 15 mins to any one person –Most confident networkers don’t set targets Body language –Smile –Stand straight

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 At the Event Head for the drinks Make contact –Make eye contact, smile, introduce yourself The Nike WayTalk to the first person you meet at the coffee area The Gentle WayFind someone you know and ask them to introduce you to other people The Lone RangerFind a person who is alone Use PropsFind an exhibition/posters and comment to the people looking at them The Systematic ApproachJoin a group

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Top Questions to Start a Conversation General Do you mind if I join your group? I’m...from...where are you from? Can I introduce myself? Event Specific What do you want to get out of this event? Did you get something out of the last speaker? About their Jobs What do you do? What do you do on a day to day basis? How long have you been working in that area?

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 How to Keep a Conversation Going Find hooks and links Keep asking questions Show that you are interested LISTEN! Moving on Do you know anyone else Could you introduce me to?

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Moving on Don’t leave them standing alone because you have seen someone more important Wait for a natural break in conversation Keep the relationship open – it has been nice talking to you... Get others involved – introduce them to someone else and leave the conversation Be honest – I guess we had better mingle with a few people... Always have an exit clause –I’m going to get another drink –Can you excuse me I need to make a call

Research and Innovation Support Conference Verbal Business Cards Jim Baxter

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 ‘I met the most interesting person at the RIS Conference last week’ ‘really what did they have to say?’ ‘well apparently ’

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 What’s your story? Imagine people you met at an event are recalling the encounter the following week. –What will they remember about you? –What will they be able to recall about what you had to say? Realistically they will probably be able to remember two to three things at most What do you want them to remember about what you had to say? They are free to recall whatever they choose, but you can influence that choice beforehand –What will your key points be?

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Putting your points across Start by making your point in a way which will grab their attention Then give further information to support and consolidate the point Bring the point to conclusion – ideally this is how the person you are speaking to might take the conversation further

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 What do you want them to remember about you? Prepare up to three key points Pretend you are meeting the person next to you for the first time (or maybe you are!) Introduce yourself and practice networking Did they pick up your key points?

Putting it into Practice Research and Innovation Support Conference

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Planning who to meet – this session Look at the delegate list for this session Identify a couple of people you would like to meet Go and Network!

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Planning who to meet From the delegate list identify a couple of people you would like to meet Prepare a summary to help you plan your networking –Name/position –What are their interests –Why are they likely to be attending this event –What can you do to help them in their role –What could they help you with –Looking at the agenda, when would be a suitable time to catch them –Should you contact them beforehand to arrange to meet?

Engaging with the Region Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Planning who to meet – for the rest of today Look at the delegate list for the conference Identify a couple of people you would like to meet Prepare yourself by completing the networking plan

Research and Innovation Support Conference Engaging with the Region: Better Together #RISCONF13 Thank you Go Network!!