1. Networking & Etiquette

2. Agenda Networking – what is it? How to Network – good etiquette
Corporate dress – business casual?
Business dining basics
Know your BMW
Resources

3. What isn’t Networking? It’s not superficial connections and lunching.
It’s not about handing out business cards.
It’s not about asking for a job.
It’s not about short term payback.
It’s not about hanging with your friends and calling it networking.

4. What is Networking?
It’s cultivating relationships with others in a meaningful way.
It’s building “bank” of contacts that can provide information and support when you need it, and in return you can help them when they need it.
It’s about reaping long term professionally rewarding relationships.
It’s about staying in touch with the pulse of the business world through your network.
“I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy”

5. Why Network?
70-80% of jobs are filled via networking – the silent job market.
Search Firms 10-15%
Ads in Print or Internet 10-15%
A “warm” call is much easier to make than a “cold” call.
Stay abreast of what’s happening in the business world.

6. Do you have a Network?
You already have a network – the trick is to build that network in the professional grid
Fill in your network grid, and see where you need to expand.

7. Your Personal Network Chart
Career
Organizational
Professional
Personal

8. How to Network The 4 “E’s” Establish…………….. eye contact
Extend………………. your hand
Engage………………. in conversation
Exchange……………. business cards (if appropriate)

9. How to Network Do’s Network broadly
Follow up! If you make a promise to someone, live up to it.
Offer to assist. If you help me, I’ll help you.
View every social situation as a networking opportunity.
Ask questions – people like to talk about themselves.
Maintain contact, even if only sparsely.

10. How to Network Don’ts Equate endless lunches with networking
Get hung up with one conversation – move around
Stay in your comfort zone and only talk to people just like you
Make a promise you can’t or won’t keep.
Be a wallflower – show initiative and make the first move

11. First Impressions
“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.”
Dress, voice and body language account for 90% of first impressions: be confident
Posture and demeanour count for a lot. Stand up and smile!
God gave us two ears and 1 mouth for a reason – Listen twice as much as you speak.

12. Making Introductions Use first and last names
Introduce junior person to senior person. Senior = position or age, not gender.
Forget someone’s name? Don’t fake it, admit it.
Focus when being introduced. Either use a rhyming game to remember their name, or use it three times in conversation. However, don’t overdo it, they are not your buddy.

13. Risk-Free Conversations
Safe Topics:
Public information – read the newspapers
Travel
Business
Avoid:
Politics
Religion
personal questions, disclosures, money, health

14. Corporate Dress Fit the Corporate culture – investigate
Dressing conservatively is risk free – gives you time to learn the corporate culture.
Dressing trendy is risky – what does it say about your professionalism and perceived image of the company?
Your personal image is a reflection of the company’s image.
Are you a winner? Look like a winner!

15. Business Casual
“If you don’t have to change when you get home from work, you are too casual.” Dan Vass, Grant Thornton
Don’t
Out-dress the boss
Wear running shoes, leggings, anything torn, shoes without socks, athletic wear, see-through fabrics, tank tops, t-shirts with messages, distressed clothing
Wear too much perfume, aftershave, or show too much skin
Low-cut, crop tops, tank tops, short shorts, or very short skirts

16. Business Dining Basics
Sit when you’re invited to sit. If it is not assigned seating, choose a table of people you don’t know and ask if a seat is taken.
Napkin goes on your lap, not tucked into your shirt. If you get up, leave it on your chair.
Several rows of cutlery, start on the outside and work inward.
Your bread plate is on your left, main dinner plate in the middle, wine glasses on your right. (BMW)
If you’re in doubt, always follow a leader.

17. A Final Note
Practice – attend Corporate Info sessions and stick around after to network
Join student clubs or other associations
Get involved in a mentorship program
Check out on-line resources such as

18. Are You Dressed for Success?