LDQ training material netowrking networking workshop

Improving your Networking Skills V2 Today’s workshop… degrees of separation, down to Analysis of 69 billion connections showed 99.6% of all pairs of Facebook users are connected by paths with degrees (6 hops), 92% are connected by only four degrees (5 hops) Ref: Daily Telegraph 22/11/11 http://goo.gl/M0ljL Networking: definitions…   A supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest [http://dictionary.reference.com] Creating a group of acquaintances and associates and keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit [ www.businessdictionary.com]  Networking depends on relationships One simple rule  “It takes only a moment’s conscious decision to become a networker, with no interference to one’s daily routine All it requires is a slight shift in attitude, and adopting one simple trifurcated rule:  Greet each new acquaintance with an openness to learn more about that person, a willingness to help, and an offer to stay in touch.” [Buzzy Gordon - http://entrepreneurs.about.com] How big is your network? People you have known in the past People you know now People you will know in the future Dunbar’s number  150 = the maximum number of people with whom we can maintain relationships    Hypothesis by primatologist Robin Dunbar that 150 is the maximum number of social interactions you can manage It is the number at which groups start to break down The number is higher or lower across different species of social primates Map your network My Network Colleagues Prof Orgs Universities Friends Suppliers Customers BENEFITS AND BARRIERS reasons for networking • People who can help you get your work done Operation-al• Often internal & currentfocused Personal Strategic How Leaders Create and Use Networks by Herminia Ibarra and Mark Hunter HBR Jan 2007 • People who can help you grow personally & professionally • Usually external & share common interests • People who can help you shape your future goals & direction • May be internal or external & are futureoriented If you’re an Introvert…         It’s not about selling yourself, it’s about helping other people It’s not about becoming popular, it’s about learning and sharing If it’s hard to talk to strangers, make it easy for them to talk to you Ask good questions (Open Questions) Be more interested in them than in yourself Look for ways to help them Follow-up meetings with ideas, offers to help, recommendations Make it easy for others to find you (use online tools)  Most of these apply to Extroverts too! Pay forward… The Shy Connector: http://goo.gl/Oys3D Not all network contacts are equal   Networks contain a small number of people that have proportionately more influence over the network than others This 5-10 per cent of individuals, called critical connectors by organisational anthropologist Karen Stephenson, occupy specific places within networks Ref: http://goo.gl/mWXgA Hubs, Gate-keepers & Pulsetakers Hubs are directly connected to many people and, as a result, have the ability to disseminate information quickly Gatekeepers stand at the intersection between parts of the organisation, or areas of expertise Pulse-takers are the covert influencers within networks who are often more knowing than known, and they connect with others strategically Your networking plan Map your network Identify your critical connections Engage and add value Develop & grow your network OFFLINE NETWORKING Networking made easy (easier) Passive     Active  Attend events Participate in events with activities Speak at events Volunteer to help organise events Host an event  The “One minute talk” or “Ice-breaker conversation” is required for all the above The one minute talk  This is your response to anyone asking who you are and what you     At a conference, seminar, event Over lunch, coffee, drinks It needs to be clear, concise and interesting Reverse it to start a conversation with someone The one minute talk should answer four questions…     Who are you? What you do? Why are you here? Why should the person you are speaking to care? It’s about them, not about you! Ref: http://goo.gl/NX8dS Other offline opportunities    Telephone calls Video and Teleconferences Conferencing Tips & Etiquette…      N.B Increasingly, these are being supported by web-based screen/ desktop-sharing      Test the kit first! One person to chair Make introductions at start One person speaking at a time Speak in your normal voice, don’t shout Include the person’s name when asking a question Turn off mobiles & mute PCs Don’t rustle papers or tap pens Avoid side conversations ONLINE NETWORKING Networking made easy (easier) Engage in online communities (90:9:1 Rule)            Lurk in groups (90%) Respond to others’ contributions (9%) Start conversations (1%) Start a group (and remember 90:9:1) Host, or participate in, webinars Subscribe to news feeds, or curated online journals Forward “this might interest you” articles Write a blog, subscribe, comment (= peer review) Create a wiki Share presentations via Slideshare.net LinkedIn PERSONAL ACTION PLANS So, we’ve talked about…     What networking is Benefits and barriers Places to build our networks, online and offline Skills and tools to use Your action plan… See it Review it Do it Say it Write it ... with others strategically Your networking plan Map your network Identify your critical connections Engage and add value Develop & grow your network OFFLINE NETWORKING Networking made easy (easier)... Turn off mobiles & mute PCs Don’t rustle papers or tap pens Avoid side conversations ONLINE NETWORKING Networking made easy (easier) Engage in online communities (90:9:1 Rule)         ... keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit [ www.businessdictionary.com]  Networking depends on relationships One simple rule  “It takes only a moment’s conscious decision