Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. x Jennifer Vessels January 19, 2012 Networking for Lifetime Career Success

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 2 Welcome to 2012

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 3 Career Success Your People Skills (85%) Your success comes from: Some experts estimate that 15% of your business success comes from your skills and knowledge, while 85% comes from your ability to connect with other people and engender trust and respect. Study by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation and the Stanford Research Institute Your Knowledge Your People Skills (15%) (85%)

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 4 Successful Networking Define Goal Identify Target Audience Build Value Proposition Network Follow- Up Opportunity Credibility Trust YOU

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 5 Your Unique Value For target buyer or employer’s key needs, you bring unique value Competition Your Capabilities Buyer or Employer’s Needs Unique Value

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 6 Understand your Audience What’s happening in their industry How is the company performing What are their competitors doing Who do they know

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 7 Elevator Speech Framework Introduce yourself Communicate the problem you solve Share the value YOU bring What makes you unique Provide validation and proof of your success Close with plan to follow-up

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 8 Practice Your Elevator Speech

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved. 9 Preparation: Key to Success Understand target audience Research events and contacts Build a 90 day Networking Plan Make a plan for each event Refine Elevator Speech Plan follow-up

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved First Impressions are Critical Nametags on the right side Introduce the junior person to the senior person Handshake energetic and engaged

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Conversation Starters So where else do you normally network? So what do you like best about what you do? So what got you started in that direction?

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Follow-up as Key to Success Contact the person within 18 hours Provide value add Pay it forward with help Become a resource Write a note Call to say hello Leverage social media to stay in touch

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Linked Profile and key words Real network of business associates and trusted connections Give and Ask for recommendations Groups and Discussion Forums Status Updates One way to promote yourself Maintain contact with network Get other opinions on challenges you are facing

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Think Before You Post

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Networking for Success Define Goal Determine Unique Value Build Your Brand Network Follow- Up Opportunity Credibility Trust YOU

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Success Requires Patience

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Success Requires Patience

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Action Plan ActionCompleted By I commit to completing the following actions within the month:

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Next Step Delivers Results Amir Zoufonoun CEO Exalt Communications “Thanks to Next Step we now have the right team, sales process and marketing resources in place for peak performance despite the current economic conditions.” Sales Effectiveness Employee Productivity

Copyright © Next Step. All Rights Reserved Networking for Lifetime Career Success Jennifer Vessels Next Step