1. Networking for professional development
Connecting for success
What are the potential benefits of networking?

2. In this session... Appreciating the benefits Removing the obstacles
Understanding the process
Making networking easier

3. Why network?

4. Why network? Learning and development Ideas and inspiration
Different perspectives
Support and encouragement
Awareness of opportunities
Insider knowledge and understanding
Raised profile and reputation
More missions = more options

5. So, what’s stopping you? Shyness / lack of confidence
Fear of failure / rejection
Making a fool of yourself
Moral objections
Lack of contacts
Lack of time

6. Self-fulfilling expectations
Dwell on their humanity
Dwell on your values and strengths
Have an achievable mission
Have a back-up plan
Cultivate curiosity, courage and choice

7. Activities of networking
Preparing
Finding people
Making contact
Talking about them
Talking about you
Asking for things
Finishing the conversation
Following up
Maintaining links

8. Preparation 1: Formulating questions
Learning and development
Ideas and inspiration
Different perspectives
Support and encouragement
Awareness of opportunities
Insider knowledge and understanding
Raised profile and reputation

9. Preparation 2: Choosing labels

10. Finding people Starting with you Starting with them
Who are your connections’ connections?
Think ‘connectors’
Starting with them
Who do they interact with?
Where might they hang out?
General opportunities
Courses and seminars
Publications
Royal Colleges
Online sites

11. Preparation 3: Think about them
What is interesting about them?
What common ground might you have?
What do they need or value?
How could you benefit them?
What questions might they have answers to?
What could they do for you without effort?

12. Script elements Intro: Hi, my name is...
Label/hook: I’m really interested in...
Request: I was hoping I could ask you a couple of questions about...
Appreciation: ...was really helpful because...
Follow-up: Could I contact you another time if I have more questions?

13. Good question starters
Have you ever come across...?
What is your opinion on...?
What are the most important aspects of...?
To what extent do you...?
What interests you about...?
Where could I find out more about...?
How would you advise someone who...?
Do you know anyone else who...?

14. Asking for things
Answers

15. Asking for things
Advice
Answers

16. Asking for things
Assistance
Advice
Answers

17. Asking for things
Advocacy
Assistance
Advice
Answers

18. Asking for things
Alliance
Advocacy
Assistance
Advice
Answers

19. Resources BMA events & groups — obviously! Doc2doc – doc2doc.bmj.com
Doctors.net.uk –
Clinical Leaders Network –
Emerging CLN –
Medical Leadership Network –medicalleadership.net
The Network –
LinkedIn –

20. Follow-up activities
What will you do after this session?