5 steps to be better in networkning!

Networking is a kind of art - you can improve and improve and...

I want to give you five steps in networking:
1. Prepare before the event.
2. Arrive 10-30 minutes before the events starts if you have the possibility.
3. Training in how you become excellent in the contact phase.
4. Prepare questions - and train to ask questions.
5. If you have the possibility send e-mails and contact persons you met as soon as possible after the event!

Before the event:
1 a. Who is the participants - ask the organizers if its possible? Is it possible to get the participator list? Sometimes you can get it from Facebook!
1 b. Who is the speakers at the event? This you always can find in your invitation.
1 c. Always have a lots of business cards with you! If you give you will get - at least contact information. Have clear goals why you attend the event.

Arrive before the event:
2 a. Their are a lot of advantages when you arrive early! It´s a excellent time to arrive. Everyone who is there early is interested in talking to others. (Be careful with the organizers - they could be buzy - do not disturb them - they will be there to the end).
2 b. Prepare with hand outs and other information.
Prepare where you want to sit.
2 c. The networkings opportunities is befor, during brakes and after the events.

The conntact phase:
3 a. Is the most important moment in networking and it can be better ore worse! Because of that it is important to train this in your daily life. Ex. To say hello to people you meet - both who you know and don´t know.
3 b. To start conversations you can train at a restaurant, at the subway , in a shop.
3 c. When you have participated in a seminar and you have listen to a excellent and interested speaker - of cause you should exchange business card!

By questions and to be really interested in the other person is THE WAY to build trust!
4 a. I always write down questions coming up during the seminar. Sometimes I get the possibility to ask them to the speakers or to the panel, other times I discuss them with other participants during the breaks or after the seminar.
4 b. Preparation is everything when you ask a question - it should be short, interesting for others than me and as simple as possible!
4 c. To write down questions participants have to you during the event is important and is also a way to built trust. But also write down questions you have asked others - to follow up later.

After the event - what to do?
5 A. To contact the persons you have promised to give information or answer as soon as possible after event! I send e-mails but I now realize that young people like to be contact by SMS more often.
5 b. To contact persons I have a interest in to be in contact with because of their interest, knowledge or attitude.
5 c. The business cards is step ONE - then a build on my networks at Facebook and LinkedIN to build up a more daily, weekly, monthly contacts...

My Three special interests are:
i) environment, water, chemistry
ii) entrepreneurship, business opportunities, customer service
iii) society, social responsibility, why we do like this

My networks in this areas:
I) ELMA, Naturskyddsföreningen, Föreningen Vatten
II) JCI, Toastmasters, UDs referensgrupp CSR
III) Fores, Timbro, ABF

The best book in this area about networking is "Networking - Your Professional Survival guide" by Filipe Carrera