Is your net-working not working? The 10 Commandments for profitable networking

By Dean

15 Jun 2016

official-bni-logo-pan506-2014-500x333.jpg
By Mike Holman, executive director, BNI

Commandment 1

Have your networking tools with you at all times

What do you need for any event you go to? Business cards, your calendar, pen. What you don’t need is lots of literature about your business, why? Because you are not there to sell to anyone. The outcome you want is a follow up coffee!

Commandment 2

Set a goal for the number of people you will meet

It is easy to get distracted at networking events by talking with colleagues and familiar faces. So stay focussed by setting yourself a goal before you arrive.

Commandment 3

Act like a host, not like a guest

Often we are hesitant at networking events approaching new people. If this is you then imagine it is your event and begin acting like the host. This made a huge difference to me in my early networking days. Although I was a nervous networker I would look for someone stood on their own and try to make them feel welcome and engaged.

Commandment 4

Listen and ask the five ‘W’ questions: Who, What, Where, When and Why

Showing a genuine interest in other people’s business is a great way to build relationships at networking events. By asking the five ‘W’ questions ensures the person has a chance to express themselves.

Commandment 5

Connect people

Genuinely try to help people meet contacts they want to meet from your network. As you become more proficient at this you will be renowned for being an influencer and a ‘go to’ person.

Commandment 6

Describe the ‘benefits’ of your product or service

Would you rather meet an Accountant or someone who could help you save a fortune on tax? When asked the question ‘what do you do?’ resist telling people ‘who you are’, tell them what you do for your clients, meaning what are the benefits of your products or services.

Commandment 7

Ask for 2 business cards from people you meet

Why 2? One for yourself and explain that you would like a second one so you can pass it on to someone else who may be a great contact for them.

Commandment 8

Spend 10 minutes or less with each person you meet

If you honour your commitment from commandment 2 the chances are you will have a number of people to meet and limited time. Don’t spend time trying to close a deal when you meet people, if you think they could be a great contact then look to arrange to have coffee at a later date.

Commandment 9

Write comments on the back of people’s business cards

Always record small snippets of information from your conversation. Recording information of what their needs are, when to call or simply detail of hobbies will really help when following up re-engage with the contact.

Commandment 10

Follow up with the people you meet

So many people who spend untold hours networking fail simply because their follow up was appalling. Good follow up is the lifeblood of good networking.

 

If you would like receive my weekly ‘Networking Nailed’ Video blog please go to www.networkingnorth.co.uk and simply sign up on the home page.  

Enjoyed this? Read more from Dean

Latest news

1

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan Blackburn Aerial

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan

28 Mar 2024

2

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart article placeholder listing image

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart

28 Mar 2024

3

How the UK’s strategy to reduce net migration affects care work AdobeStock_89838327 (1).jpeg.jpg

How the UK’s strategy to reduce net migration affects care work

28 Mar 2024

4

Dealmakers: Star Tissue takes a leading roll Khalid Saifullah

Dealmakers: Star Tissue takes a leading roll

28 Mar 2024

5

Construction work begins at 53-home development in Earby article placeholder listing image

Construction work begins at 53-home development in Earby

28 Mar 2024

Hwc 2024 Email Signature 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv115 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin