Network like a Pro: Learn how to do networking professionally for life and business success!

1. Introduction to Network like a Pro: This is a course about networking skills for everyone who likes to become better at networking, whether they're in-person events or online networks, you will learn what a three reasons are to connect and how you can build on them and make meaningful connections. Then we go through oldest steps are for Successful networking journey from the opening conversation to small Talk to the Elevator Pitch, then following up and eventually getting out of Networking. What you Want. Say if you'd like to get better at networking, then this course is for you 2. Skillshare Project: Now as part of this course and networking skills here on Skillshare, I would like to invite you to write a great elevator pitch. Now, term elevator pitch came from the time that it would, the idea that maybe one day you will step into an elevator and Richard Branson is there as well. I only have 30 s to make a great impression on Richard as he hands his you his business card and you will do business with them hopefully sooner rather than later. Now chances are you will randomly step into an elevator with Richard. Brands are probably a little bit slim, but you probably get the idea. You want to pitch yourself or present yourself in a way that people want to do business with you instead of you are reaching out to them all the time. So come up with in a way that you shine on the Networking Floor or in online networks. And if people really attract to wash it and one of them more a vacuum business about you or rather of objectives that you have in discourse and this project, we can write a beautiful elevator pitch that is really sounds like uterus authentic doesn't sound generic or Celsius, pushy. And it's really going to help you when you are networking events where you are in online networks and in genuine everyday professional life that people know what you are about. Show you everything, how it's gonna go. I hope you love it and let's get started. 3. Welcome to Network like a Pro: Welcome to the networking experience scores and well done on making the decision to take a next step with your networking skills. Some people take this course because they feel uncomfortable with going to a networking event and talking to strangers. Whereas others are already seasoned networkers. It they want to improve their skills and get more out-of-network. In discourse, we will delve into all aspects of networking from the initial introduction all the way through to getting what you want. Now first of all, I'd like to bust a few myths about networking. Because sometimes people feel networking is only for people who are high up in the corporate ladder. But why sales are well founded their own business. That's not necessarily true. People at all levels in the organization would benefit from networking. Secondly, sometimes people feel the need to be part of a formal network, like a networking referral group, or country club or fraternity or sorority. Now while these networks definitely could be of help, and they're a great group to get referrals from and give back to there, not necessarily to make networking work for you. However, everything you learned in this course does apply to those kinds of networks as well. Now thirdly, sometimes people feel that networking is awkward or you need to have a very smooth, elevated beach to be successful in networking. Now that doesn't need to be the case. Ita, we will talk about how to overcome awkwardness and when you open a conversation as well as how to introduce yourself. But you're taking this course as a great first step to overcome that hurdle. There's so much more to networking. I found employment for your networking. I made sales via networking and I even met people who have now gone towards my mentors and my close friends all through networking events. Took me about 18 years to gather the understanding and experience and network into the half now, I've had a number of successes, but I'd definitely also have my failures. I don't want you to make these mistakes as well. Now I want you to be successful in networking fast. And that's why I created this course and networking skills. I'm so happy to have you here. And of course, now, this course is not just a few tips and tricks, is a comprehensive program to make you a master networker on the networking flow and in online networks and also a formula within the organization a year working in. Now. It doesn't need to be hot. Once you understand how to do it well and practice via the resources in this program. Going out there and the real-world thing, go to networking events. You will get the experience necessary to become a great network. This is module one. Before we start, I'd like you to write down the reasons why you participate in this course. Some people just want to feel more confident going to networking functions are the ones to get more contexts for the organization and work for authentic insights in the industry. Or perhaps just get a seal out of network, or just want to build on their reputation and be more visible amongst that piece. Also, please write down the things you don't want anymore. It might be that uncomfortable feeling token with a stranger or the draft your field when you need to go to such an event, it might be getting stuck talking with someone on that board. You flunk for a little bit too long or not having anyone to talk to. Or it might be overcome synchronization for when an initial chat to taking the next steps with the people you meet. Even though you have to answer in your head right and down, so that you and I have a clear understanding of what we're going to work on. Now you could use post-it notes or download the worksheet attached. And then we stop 4. Three Pillars of Successful networking: Over the years going to network events, connecting with people and observing how others do their networking. I noticed that people tend to connect with others for three main reasons. They are the three Pillars that you can also develop and rituals strengthened throughout the course. Now what I'm talking about reasons to connect amine reasons that make the connection valuable. I've also been to networking events where everyone exchange contexts details with everyone via an app or just swapping Cards via trestle table. And then those kind of events, they ended up with a lot of new contacts. Yet with many of them, I barely spoke, if at all. Yes, I had a bunch of new connections, but I didn't really know what they do or how would be valuable to each other. And these new contexts and really mean much just piling a Business Cards. So just adding random people to your LinkedIn profile is not going to get you anywhere. We don't want to have contexts for the sake of contexts. So for the sake of increasing the number of people you have in your LinkedIn network. What do you want is that these new contexts are valuable to you and your objectives. So what are the three reasons or Pillars that would make someone a valuable connection? The first pillar is comfort or report. It could be any common ground, like having been to the same school, supporting the same course or something unrelated to work for example, like in the same kind of spores. So having similar hobbies, yet to convert pillar doesn't end there. Even when your backgrounds are completely different and you have no common interests at all, you could still feel more comfortable with each other because you have an interesting conversation or an aligning ambition. Sometimes just actively listening to someone on the Networking Floor also builds comfort and provides for base for connection. Now, regardless on where you rank in organization that you've worked for, the competency to be able to connect, build rapid, and make people feel comfortable, will aid the strength of the connection and opens them up to take a next step. Then the second pillar, relevancy. Yeah, for unique career and skill set that is relevant to your industry. Often people are unaware of how relevant they are in their industry because they view their knowledge and skills at as normal and is not that interesting. Your knowledge and skills at which you may view as nothing special, could be highly relevant to someone else. Everyone is different than our careers and skill sets. So people connect with others who are not necessarily in the same as them, but for our relevant to them. And being able to articulate how you're irrelevant in the industry that you work for or across the industry stood out in the world. It's a great competency. And the more you're able to strengthen it, won't people would be wanting to connect with you. Now the third pillar is probably the most obvious one. It's influence people in powerful positions like senior managers, CEOs, diplomats, entrepreneurs and thought leaders have a certain influence, status, purchasing power, their decision-makers that have to strongly influence on the next steps. And some organizations that are more hierarchical than others. But of course the director has more to say Delhi in turn. And having influential people in your network could be helpful to attain your goals and also increase it of value of your network. So to become a stronger networker, you should be able to talk with Influential People, connect well with them and also become more influential yourself. All three Pillars strengthen each other. If you build report well with others strengthening your comfort pillar. It makes it easy to get to know relevant people and also to connect with people influential positions. If you're very relevant to your industry, people will be more eager to connect this. You would also improve your influence as well. If someone has high influence position, it shows that they are relevant to the industry. And yes, people would feel very comfortable having them in then Network. Now, right now, at the beginning of the course, you may feel that you are strongly into one pillar and weekend and other. Some students in the course already have high influence already good at building competent report, already able to articulate irrelevance in their fields. That's the case. I'd invite you to keep building on that pillar, but also focus more on the other two pillars. If you feel that you are not that strong yet an area of the Pillars. Don't need to worry. He has to come to the right place will work on all the three Pillars and restructuring any one of them. You're automatically also strengthening the altitude. For most people increasingly influenced is a long-term game. But relevancy and comfort can we build up more quickly by articulating the relevancy better and learning how to build a pool better whilst the school. So a lot of how-to content on a deeper level. They go for you is to increase your comfort pillar and irrelevant speller so that you overvalue on the Networking Floor increases, which in turn also increases your ability to influence as well. I hope this model resonates with you. But even if not, or perhaps it may sound a little bit abstract. Please don't worry or of a thick. It is only meant as a way to help you understand why networking works. Some people like a sensor models and for all of the it's not really the preferred style Floor. And that's okay. We will revisit the model along the way. And even if you're not quite sure about it yet, you will get the same benefit out of the scores. Follow along. But if you may have any questions, feel free to pop them down below or e-mail back and I'm happy to help you 5. Why people do not like networking: When I give my live presentations and they asked you audience for the reasons they don't like networking. It actually always comes down to one of the three reasons. First of all, there are a lot of people out there. We'll have something to sell. And being sold to me is not a comfortable feeling. The mistake of those salespeople make is that they think they're sales processes like cold calling and doing client demos. Take that to the Networking Floor straight away. Now I once went to a networking event where in the first 5 min, so let me throw to hand me out access codes to her new product in the hopes that I would like it and buy it for the agency that the work that has a thought, I did lav mic to a cell instead, I was left with an uncomfortable feeling being identified as a lead. So directly, I didn't want to disappoint her, but it also doesn't feel like going through the hoops are signing up on the spot and anticipating the sales call next week. Even though her product was interesting to me, I felt she identified me as a lead, wanted to sell to me. Now, this is not how Networking should be done. Hey, there are loads of people were just don't know any better. They sell on the Networking Floor, just like they do in the office. They're not really making valuable connections. They're just on the huts like a shark in the ocean. Then as normal likes to be bitten. People are not looking forward to meet sharks as a networking event. Sharks tends to go for the big fish or to speak. They go after the highly influential people because they have the most direct buying power. But as a result, high-status people tend to pull back their Cards and try to avoid talking to shocks because they don't want to be Khafre's or their network being used for someone to reach a sales target. In this course, you will learn how to not be a shock yet. Use networking to attain your goals, even if you network to make sales. Now we'll get to that in a later module, but for now, remembered it on the Networking Floor, the focus is on building valuable connections, but building report and being relevant not to sell out. A second reason why people not like networking is that it SAC peacocks on the Networking. Let me not the actual bird, but metaphorical peacocks, people will look dapper and slake. They sound like they have the most interesting job offer or what was accomplished career possible. They're just showing their feathers at is networking function. Now some people like hearing about the successes of others, but many feel overwhelmed or just less worth if they can't portray a similar success. And yet whilst, of course, you would want to present yourself and your professional background in a positive way. There's no need to brag or to show up. After all, networking is not about a patient contest. It's a place where real people connect with other real people for many good reasons because your career is perfect. Now thirdly, people feel uncomfortable going to a networking event because daisy lots of social butterflies. It looks like this event only has People will smoothly move from one chair to talking a bit here and dead and then moving onto the next. Networking seems so easy for them. Some students feel a bit daunted by observing that behavior. They feel that alters their social butterflies, but they consider themselves introverted or thing that they're not just not that good at small Talk or that they are not important enough to talk with everyone. Now sometimes people don't like networking because they feel they can't act like a social butterfly. That then to forget that they themselves have a lot of relevancy to bring to the table. They're able to connect and build report, making them potentially very valuable networker. Hope this is a bit of a relief for you. You don't need to be on the hunt for sale like a shock. You don't need to be showing you feathers like a beaker, but you don't need to be. For an extrovert will finds it easy to move from chat to chat like a social butterfly. Just be unique self, wherever you are in the letter, even if you're in a relatively junior position or unemployed or started the business that hasn't even be profitable, so forth. Networking Canvas for you. Look, I got it to Australia, being unemployed and knowing no one in this country when I arrived in the first few months, I landed my first job via networking skills, by Networking both on and offline. And then my friends and found mentors via networking. You definitely have the ability to Network like a Pro. Just keep the three key pillars in the valuable connections model in mind. Networking the meaningful by quality over quantity will work on both bringing your uniqueness, your relevancy out of you in the Networking Floor, and how you can connect better with everyone, including high-status people. This approach is in turn will increase the value of your network and the value bring to others people networks so that networking and Referrals actually worked for you 6. Opening is Appreciated: The number one networking scale issue I usually hear about when people come to my life events. Is it people feel uncomfortable starting conversations with strangers, especially in a professional setting? Thought that people have talked to. But do I say, what if there's no Want to talk with and a standard by myself? No wonder networking feels awkward. These electrical normal thoughts yet, don't let them hold you back. Think about situation from the other side. Most other people in the room also experienced a similar discomfort, even though they may seem so welcome post. So it's just like you would appreciate if someone to talk to, they would appreciate the same. So if you make it first step and start a conversation, it will always be Appreciated. This is something that we are perhaps not used to in our everyday life. If you start with a conversation with a stranger in a public space, on the bus or on a train. Some people may appreciate it, whilst others Radha spending time on their phone or just don't want to be bought it in. The other person doesn't want to talk with you or politely declined. So on having the conversation with you, you may feel a little bit let down and no one likes that feeling. Their networking events. This never happens to date. I've never encountered the situation we're installing a conversation is not appreciated. Now what to talk about and how to keep that engaged is another story and we'll get to do at length in later in the course. But for now, just know that wherever you are starting a conversation is always appreciated. It also gives you the leadership position to steer the conversation. Now this holds true for in-person networking events, but also in networking, in online networks and online meetings. Now first impressions do counts, but there's no need to pressure to start saying there's something very impressive or very interesting. Just saying hi, how are you likely events or how's your day? And made some questions like that is good enough. In the first, first few minutes is more important to have an open welcoming attitude to make me people. They'll be grateful to you started the conversation because then they don't have to do this. I even though you may feel a little bit awkward, but making that first move takes to, oh goodness away. So my recommendation to get through the initial organism is a step right through it. Don't hover or wait for someone else or start talking with you or double if dispersion or that person is a better conversation partner or doubt if you may or may not be right Personal talk with Eddas event. Now, just go for it. The best way to get over those thoughts is to move forward straightaway. It gets more awkward is your weight. So it gets less awkward if you move forward and start talking with anyone you made, just keep that in mind. Now my exercise for you in this lesson is not a resource this time, it is a start token with someone new as soon as you see someone standing by themselves at the networking events. So don't wait, don't doubt. Don't assume they will make your first move. You will notice that they will appreciate your proactive attitude for sure. It is virtually impossible to fail. So go after network and talk to lots of people. It will be Appreciated 7. Where to stand and whom to talk with: Okay, You've got it. Opening conversations is Appreciated. It's always a winning move. Now, where do you stand at the Networking Floor? Some people were, you might feel a little bit shy, will prefer to sit in a corner as a safe space to hide. Your the aim of the networking event is to talk with many people. It's, even though it feels a little bit counterintuitive, try to stand in a central space in the room where many people pass by. This could be new to entrance or native foods stationed at a bar. Now chances are you'll find someone here will also came by themselves and stands alone would appreciate you starting that conversation. Now sometimes there's not any one standing by themselves that talk to. Everyone is ready talking in groups already. Now you can just join them Lu, for groups of people to join their conversation. If you stand relatively near, just respect to personal space, of course, which is make eye contact. People often open up. I'll let you join their group when they are there to make new connections after all as well. Now an important aspect of watch out for is body language. Body language shows people's intent often more than they verbally said. If their shoulders make an open position, leaving room for new person, It's often indicates that there are open to a new person joining that group. Only if people took like one-on-one in a very small group of two or three. And it looks like they're more in-depth conversation, that may not be the right moment to enter that conversation, but otherwise she could almost approach any group you see on an networking event. So look for body positioning and where the shoulders are pointed to the CVE, you can enter that conversation. And if they make eye contact or their space when they're grouped those joint physically, it means that you're a welcome. And more often than not entering conversation as welcome as they want to meet new people to have you like to review this. Now, the resource below about body language at networking events? 8. Small Talk: Now, let's say you have started the conversation with one person or group of people. This is a time to test the waters. You're just making contact. At this stage is not expected or needed to start with what you do for work or expand to our accomplished you are or detail how they could do business with you. The small Talk phase is to get a feel for each other. Some cultures, lots of talk about a wetter like a British, but it doesn't need to be a shallowest that you can talk about. I like the events or the speaker at the event, or how to are related to the organization that is hosting the event, or how the industry that you're both in is doing at a time or just how their day was. Just keep it light as first. It's almost People, few small Talk as meaningless conversation, a waste of time. I don't think that's true. Small Talk provides for an opportunity to get an impression of the other person, to talk a lot. What did they come across as shy or a new to the Networking Group, or do they come off? And what are their interests like? Now without asking that directly, you can get a feel for the type of person you're chatting with and how they can get a feel for you. So this will make the next phase talking about what you do for work a lot more comfortable. Small Talk is there to make the connection flow easier. Small Talk is lighthearted conversation in order to find topics for a deeper conversation. And the goal of Networking is to help each other out. And a smaller face gifts, a bit of a overture of how you could get along together later down the track. People will be willing to actively network with you. If you can show that you are polite and respectful networker whom when it's interesting and pleasant to hold a conversation with. The very first minutes of a new conversation. Don't jump into business or what you do for work. Focused on holiday. A conversation that is interesting, polite and respectful, and ask open questions just like you would talk with someone new is just met at a dearth, a party. Now this may all seem a little bit obvious that it's a number one mistake I see people make all the time in all kinds of networking events, both in-person events as well in online networks. Now showing you here a few examples of how to approach someone. Anonymizes senders, and I don't want to make anyone new bad, but these are just a few real-life examples. It gets sent to regularly, especially through LinkedIn, have all the same as taking common, show genuine interest in the connection. And so talking about what they want out of the connection, which is often a sale war job. And there's nothing wrong with finding new clients are finding a new job on LinkedIn or via live events. And you're actually here to learn how to do that as part of the course. But these steps needs to follow from a genuine connection. Network is not an advertising board for what you're looking to get. You can download the cheat sheet on how to open conversation in this module. Once the other person noticed that you are respectful by not canvassing onto them and are an interesting conversation partner because there are authentic that will naturally show more interesting you as well. When you listen first. And then she you get, is much stronger when it's your turn to talk because once you've gained people's interests and respect, they want to know who you are and what you do. So keep any objective that you may have on the side for now, just stay as calm, agnostic. Build a report at this stage so that the interests you is stronger when you start talking about, but you do for work and get deeper into the conversation. So keep things open and that will open doors for you 9. The Elevator Pitch: Imagine you stepped into an elevator and suddenly Richard Branson steps in as well. You only have a path thirty-seconds of talk with Richard until the elevator ride is over. And in debt precious time, you would like to make the best possible impression with Richard hands you his business card when he reaches his Floor. Now what do you say, Janice, is that this would coincidentally happened are pretty low in real life. Once or Richard speak at an event and hundreds of people were vying for his attention. Get these kind of rare opportunities do happen. Perhaps not with Richard Branson, but with other entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, recruiters, thought leaders, and potential clients, and happen especially often on the Networking Floor. People that are often difficult to reach via e-mail or LinkedIn or a phone call. You can often talk directly to them at networking events, so that is your opportunity. Now, in the previous lessons, we have talked about how opening a conversation would work and how you this mortal, if you have shown some genuine interests into them, they will reciprocate towards you, hold only out of politeness, but because you have shown to be a great networker, you have build rapport and interconnection pillar. You have displayed behavior that shows that you are a valuable Potential member of their network and strengthens your relevancy below as well. Then they will ask you the number one question, people ask and networking events, which is, what do you do? Now, as you can tell from my accent, I'm a foreigner. English is my second language. Yes, in this line I see two verbs and do and do it. Most people answered with a noun like, I'm an accountant, or I'm in marketing, or I worked for a consultancy company. Does nothing wrong with these kind of answers per say. But I do not make your shine because there are hundreds, if not thousands, of accountants and marketeers and consultants in the city. Most people only have a very limited, stereotypical understanding of other unaccounted marketing or consultant does, which is often not what you actually do. Say. If you just respond with the title that is on your business card, you don't stand out. You look like all the other thousands in the city. So you want to articulate what you're professional actually is about. Also just saying you thought it doesn't make you memorable either. So what advice to say something different? People have a few dozen conversations on the Networking Floor and quickly forget about what you read about and what you do. So you'd want to say something that makes you stand out, be memorable, and explains what you actually do. In a few words. Also, your professional background feels more alive. If you say what you do in the active form, what do you do is about action after all, think about a big goal that you're aiming for in your professional life, more so than what the title is. And he's saying that you would want to articulate, but people can call you for what makes you relevant to their network. So that you network actually starts to work for you and you get Referrals through them. Often people feel pressured when they are being asked, what do you do? It is a professional networking function after all. So they think they need to squeeze in as many buzzwords as possible or make the very best impression possible. Yet the reality is, people are not going to a networking event to be overwhelmed this fancy sounding job descriptions. People are there to make the connection and see if there's potential for more. And also PPE is Talk With all the Networking Floor not going to Remember everything you say in your elevator pitch. Their mind might be partly with the previous conversation to have just had. Or what are you thinking of the person they want to speak with next? So you don't have to full attention span like you would have at a boardroom presentation. So you want to make the Elevator Pitch short and simple, yet interesting. If you feel the work is relatively broad and general. Freida, think of the one or two elements that make it specific. Specific is memorable. If you feel the work is quite niche, articulate that, but just make sure that people outside of your fields can relate and understand. Try to say it in layman's terms. Not a way to explain what you do is a similar way. Take something wildly know in another industry and take that as an example of what you do in your industry. For example, if you're work for a challenger brand and your industry, and it's too complicated to explain how it works. Just say, we're like to budget airline in the X industry, or really liked the Airbnb in the industry of the comparison doesn't need to be 100%, right? But it speaks to the mind and it saves it in a way that makes you more memorable. If you're networking just because you want to make more contexts in your industry, tried to focus on the value bring as an employee or as a business owner, you know, trying to sell any goods or services. Like you want people to know what they can call you for. The focus is on the goal that you are passionate about. People generally are not getting excited about the status quo. That's why just saying the title on your business card is usually not a great conversation. Start point. People get excited by ambition, a better world, a brighter future. Now not all jobs necessarily have that bold, audacious mission. And that's okay. But try to focus on what you find exciting about your work, even if it is a small thing, I'd often works better to pick out one thing about what you do that makes you memorable than to try to include everything you do and are responsible for in debt elevator pitch. And sometimes it makes sure memorable or stand out is something different than what you thought initially. So that's why I created this resource on the elevator pitch down with it below me work from there. Every elevator pitch is different. It doesn't need to follow a specific form of pair. Say, what often helps is to focus on how you help people, organizations, or how You are different without this becoming a sales pitch. And to include that one signature aspect or larger goal that makes you memorable, that it doesn't necessarily need to be something that you could win the Nobel Prize for. Just mentioning their problem you're trying to solve, or just specify the industry. You already makes your elevator pitch more specific. Remember that specific, it's memorable. Generic is usually not. For example, if you where to meet a consultant will consult in about anything. Well, you're not too sure when you go to refer this person to. But if you're where a console within the building industry, for example, it's already easier to remember and easier to refer work to. After exercise for you. One of the stuff resource that you're already did. And there's a second one where I invite you to have a chat with a friend or perhaps someone you met on Networking Floor and feel comfortable with entitlement, but you do and let them introduce you. Now this may sound funny because you already know what you do. But often people pick up on the uniqueness of your work that you may not be aware of. And they noticed different accents as well. When I let people do this exercise in my life events when they first introduced themselves and then the other person introduces them. The offline here thinks that they were unaware of or a holiday I've never thought about for special to mention. So get-together with a friend over coffee or tea. Follow the suggested questions and see what you may want to include a your personal introduction 10. Introductions to Influential People: When people are very high up in the organization, does tend to know already what I do. Usually director or CEO doesn't need to introduce themselves with an elevator pitch and may a Chromecast a little bit blunt, if you are someone worst CEO of a company, so what do you do? It's best to do your research on who is coming to the event beforehand. I'm not saying you need to stalk people, but it's okay to look up guests on LinkedIn before you go to the event. Depends a little bit on the culture urine. But often Directors, CEOs, people in powerful positions, they do not say directly that they are the boss. And this is for a reason because these people are constantly being approached to sell to or to ask for a job opportunity or any other business favor. And they are not on the Networking event to make their to-do list even longer. So they're there to make meaningful connections and that could help their organization and to stay informed today industry. Now, often people in powerful positions tend to downplay their status at first. I've seen many CEOs and general managers and ministers do that. They may say something like, Oh, I just worked there to try to play it cool to avoid being sold to. So if you own a Networking Floor and meet someone will looks quite a bit senior. There's a talk with lots of people and isn't too explicit and what they do, chances are this person is a powerful position. And my advice here, it sounds maybe a little bit counter-intuitive, but the key here is do not try to seize the opportunity straight away. They will smell former distance that you are trying to reach out to reach your objective. Don'ts of people tried to sell something to them. We'll ask them for a favor or whatever it may be and day rule reject the request now because it not interested, but I just don't have to time for that. And a to-do list is already so long. You don't want them to categorize you as one of those people wanting something from them. Instead, focused on a meaningful conversation and make a personal connection. You call it first is really the get into the good books and be memorable and get a connection with that person either via business card exchange or via LinkedIn directly. How to do that, we'll cover that in the next molecule. 11. Exchanging Business Cards: Now let me start as less than with a little story. One of my first weeks and my first new role as a Business Development Manager. My manager asked me to attend a networking event at the Sydney Opera House on his behalf. He had a family to look after and interests it I will do well in his place. Not a very several companies on his wish list that he wanted to do business with. And it was my task to identify the representatives of those companies and get their business costs to follow up. So the pressure was on, I caught early not to miss any opportunity to meet those highly influential people and get their business costs. And so I was standing in line to enter the venue with my former invitation and ID in one hand and a stack of cards and Miata, I add more Cards and all my Yoda jacket and Bucher just in case. Running out of card is a rookie mistake. So I was like, I will be Welby beds wanted to make most out of this opportunity. So what are they? They started this, make small talk with the people were also in this line in the hopes that they were working for the companies that my manager, one of these clients. So when it was about 1 min after the conversation, the lines over the move a little bit and people were let into the room and desperate to get their contexts. Start at the handout, my car to the people I talk with just for 1 min and also the people behind him in the line just in case because they're worried they want to miss out and making contexts. Now with that pushy approach are probably blue more opportunities at that event that I could have made people accept that my Cards, yes, but more out of politeness then out of interests. And it showed off that apples are Business Development Manager in dire need for a sale rather than an interesting conversation partner, There's boom, they would want to keep in touch with no one wants to be chased for a sale. And notice that when they're wearing, returning the gesture by handling their car to me as well. Now this was many years ago. I learned a lot about networking since, and I don't want you to make the same mistake as I did. The most important thing I want you to take away from this story is that you want to exchange the card on a moment. You have established that connection. As can be either at small Talk stage or when you talked about what you do for work. It doesn't really matter, but you don't necessarily need to have articulated next steps to exchange this card. You want to just have shown that you are respectable networker, that you have an interesting conversation. This is always a good point to exchange that's got. So in a way, you need to have the little bit of a respect to make the cart exchange meaningful. It needs to be more than just being mechanic that you stole. Some cultures, Cards are swapped quite casually. Orders like to have more of a ritual around Jakarta. Change they give to God with two hands so they can do receive or accept this with two hands as well. And looking at a card on both sides to show that they respect this person. Now handling the business card can also serve as a prologue ending point for a conversation so that you can move on. At the event, they seem something simple like it was great talking with you. As my God. Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. Or I can connect with you in that, I can connect with you last to implicit suggestion for them to give the card as well. If they didn't pick up on that, it's okay to ask for this if you're keen to have it, just try to and not be pushy. If they don't want to give it, that's okay as well. If you're talking with multiple people in a group and you start heading out costs. If you got to everyone in that circle, not just only the person you directly spoke with. It makes everyone feel included. And it can also start a new conversation with the other people in that room were open up more dogs with people you've just spoken with. Now for most employees of a business, does the design of the card and your title is decided upon for you. But if you're running your own business and don't have a significant number of staff, I would actually refrain from calling yourself the CEO or the managing director or similar high up Business title. I mean, sure, it sounds fancy to be the CEO and it's true to you or the boss and your business. But if it is a one-person company, you're also the marketing coordinator and salary administrator and a receptionist and the sales team, basically, you do everything. And this will become a parent wants to conversation progresses to do it. The next stage in doing business, after all, a real CEO, meaning a big company, will delegate part of the business deal to the mid-level management, to finance, to product owners and audit team members. Whereas if you businesses a one man band doing it all yourself, it will become apparent. And eventually they will look a little bit awkward. If you're going to small business, that's all good. But just try to give yourself a title based on what you do and how you help people make a specific based on that. Your title is an opportunity to for a conversation, start off throw 12. How to end networking conversations: You have probably been in that situation that you're talking with someone on the Networking Floor and you want to move on, talk with someone else. You feel a little bit hold up, but you also don't will be impolite. Common ways to get out of the situation is to say you'd like to go to the bathroom or get another drink. Now that's a good excuse. However, at the Networking function, conversation lasts for about 5 min and you've probably don't want to go to the bathroom every five-minutes. For example, we are the different events like a barbecue or birthday party is a bit more common to talk with someone for a little bit longer than 5 min, right? Then you may want to have an excuse to move on. Yet on the Networking Floor, it is not necessarily expected to come up with an excuse. Time at the Networking function is precious. There are dozens of people to meet and you're probably only have about an hour or two to meet as many people as you comfortably can. The aim of a networking function is not to have lengthy conversations, but to try to meet everyone so that you can water your network and make a selection of people that you would like to follow up with and take next step with. As Como to move around and networking for people actually expect you to move around and actually do End conversations in a professional way. After about five-minutes could be a little bit shorter, but usually about 10 min is the max. But to talk with someone, if they're can actually have just made his dad interesting. And you want to continue talk and just try to take this conversation to another event. Go for lunch, go for coffee. But on the Networking Floor, you'll want to move. Now consider the situation from the other side as well. The person you're talking with would probably also like to talk with others as well. So if you add a conversation that's actually seen as a sign that you are a great networker because you respect their time and are able to conclude the chat in a pleasant professional manner. The key here really is a swishes thinking around. Instead of thinking or any other conversation is awkward or I need an excuse to move on, you need to switch to thinking. To ending a conversation is a sign of respect and professionalism. So in that way, you showed your grade network. Instead of making this awkward. It's okay to say something like it was nice talking with you will check more later. And if you haven't done so already, this is a good moment to give the card to show that you're open to talking more at a future point in time. You could also say, please add me on LinkedIn. The point is of course, that you want to have a walk around. And for some people that feels a little bit awkward or self-centered. So what you could do is switch this phrase instead of saying, I would like to have a walk around. Say something like our like you have a walk around, then it shows that you respect the other person's time. It's a small inside a trick, but it works. Now if you're stuck with someone who doesn't pick up on the signs are actually keeps on talking to you and didn't get to cues, that it might be a good moment to pull out. They're going to the bathroom or getting another drink excuse or a urgently needed to call someone. Wherever D situations only occur in free networking events where a lot of beginner Network is a vide only or paid networking events. It doesn't tend to happen. You will likely notice that the more senior the more powerful and influential someone is on the Networking Floor, the easiest is to move around. When I've been to networking functions with CEOs and diplomats and business leaders and elders. They don't really make any point of moving on. It, it's expected that they do that. So the key takeaway here is any conversation professionally is a thing to do on the Networking Floor. You don't need a solid excuse to leave. However, to just get you started and make more comfortable with any conversations, I added a resource for you to this lesson as a cheat sheet or anything. 13. Lock In Fear: I'm sure you have been to a shopping mall or to a market and a company or charity is doing an activation, have pop-up stand or handing out flyers and samples and they have representatives trying to have a CED with you to see if you might be interested in their latest product or want to give to their course. Now the one hand, you are curious and would like to see what a are about and half an offer and if it would benefit or alliance with what your vision is able better world. What do you to hand? You know, what are the ones who start talking with these representatives? They will try to sign you up or get your email address and phone number. And what will follow is a series of e-mails and calls trying to convince you to buy or become a donor and say, Oh, you only have needs to be about thirty-seconds. And in the end you end up talk with them for about 10 min or longer. It becomes harder and harder for you to say no. Sounds familiar. I'm sure you've been in a situation as well at bond point in the past, you Want to learn about the latest offer or whichever course. But you don't want to be changed or held up or feel uncomfortable saying now. Now, once it happened to you, next time you see a company at the mall with a standard, you've probably think twice before you start talking with ADB representative. You will look the other way or say you're not interested just to afford being logged in in a conversation or avoid feeling bad saying now, I call this lock In Fear. Undefined lock In Fear is being afraid at showing initial interests will result in being chased or pressured or feel obliged to commit to a next step. We've already learned how to enter conversation. Often there's potential for a next step and it's okay to mention that when you say goodbye on a positive intention to potentially take to connect you to new heights. But just like you don't want to feel pressured or obliged by representative in the mall. You don't want the other person to get lock In Fear from the next steps that you'd like to take. So even though the person you have just met is very relevant to you and your goals, keep it open and light. Don't try to make them commit to an appointment next week. At this stage, there are probably say yes, just to be for life. Well, then they will find an excuse to not meet with you later. They do that not because they don't want to connect with you anymore, but because they have lock In Fear, they feel that if they meet up with you, you may try to push them for a sale or favor or anything. So don't let it happen to you. It's okay to to mention that you'd like to catch up some time and talk more, but just leave it at that for now. You're only getting to know each other at this stage, there's no need for pressure. 14. How to Remember Names: If you want to progress through any next stage is the people you meet at a networking event. You probably would not go far if you didn't remember it. And you get used to quite a few dozen people at the Networking function. And it's hard to remember them all. Yet. You don't want to have this awkward situation when a conversation goes really well and then I just did forget their name. It happens to many professionals and this lesson is all about how to remember people's names. The funny thing about memory from our networking function is that we can often recall what we spoke about, but not that person's name. Like you remember this guy who hadn't great chat with this, for example, artificial intelligence and marketing. But you forgot their name or you remembered his lady. You spoke about this, about a future of human resources, but you forgot their name. Now why is that so? Well, we as humans tend to remember stories. Stories go from a to B with a lot of adventure in-between. They love the story there a motion to challenges to tribulations and the characters that are in that story. That choice is to thought processes along the way. But it doesn't really matter if the main character, his name was Frodo Harry or bridgehead or Anna. Now in a story, you do remember their names because the names get repeated thoroughly throughout the story. Then repetition is the number one way to remember a name. So a simple, easy trick to Remember Names at a networking event is repeated Names into conversation. So instead of saying, Nice to meet you, How was your night so far? Say to you John. Now, John, how is your nights so far? I've already mentioned their name twice. You do that just for your own memory training. Make it a habit to say the name again when you speak. And this has an additional benefit that people feel more important and include it, It's strokes to people's ego little bit to hear their own name. Now of course, you shouldn't overdo this. I mean, not every lines that include a name, but as you can do it probably more often than you think would be normal. Salespeople do this all the time when they're calling prospects, like in a five-minute conversation that I've used your name easily seven times is that you're really noticing. So drop their name, Internet very conversation and say two or three times and chances are you'll remember it better. And they also feel more included an important without it becoming a parent that you're just trying to remember it for your own strategy. Daughter reason we forget is that you've got this track that for logic of reasons. So let's people who are like, What shall we talk about? And I welcome and his group of people. Is there a potential for a Follow-up, etcetera? Now, whilst your mind is wandering away to all those factors, your mind is not focused on remembering the name and to take it to the issue, it's quite simple. Just set yourself the intention to focus on the name first. You've already learned how to start a conversation as people appreciate opening dot AF, learned how to hold small Talk. So you're really shouldn't worry about it anymore. Just that can go on autopilot. For now. Just focus on the name that really creates, um, for you to remember it. Well, so think of it as it feels like $1,000 price at that straight. And then I'm sure you will try to remember it. A third way to Remember Names is by association. Just think of what the first thing that comes to mind when hearing that name. Perhaps someone you know has the same name. If your neighbor's name is, for example, also Susan, think neighbor. And that way your mind has an easier route back to the inflammation. That is also works if it's not a direct match. For example, your neighbor's name is actually Susanna. You can make this association as creative, as far-fetched as you like. It only happens in your mind after all. But for Networking, this technique works better if the association is related to something that you talked about. Like if Susan happens to work in the legal team, for example, think legal Susan, that it becomes a Beta for character as if it was a superhero and his story. And some are words or just easier to Remember to get it. Like it's easy to think of a pink elephant. That is think of the word separately. So try to make an association with their name when they talk about what they do and that makes it easier for you to remember their name. Now you have heard three ways to Remember Names in suddenly. One is by repetition. The second is we're trying to really hard to focus. And a third is by association. Now if you practice all three strategies, you will get dramatically better at remembering names. But if you still forgot, no need to panic. Next to the three strategies. They also have three backup plans for you. Minus phi connection used a business card exchange when it happens somewhere in the chat as a way to find back their name. There's another opportunity for you to have a look at a card if they don't have a card or but you would like to keep in touch. You could even open up your LinkedIn app on your phone, press the search function and the fallen to the other person so that they can select the right profile. So as a way to share it and Names themselves, they're often multiple profiles with the same name. So it is actually a very legit requests. But of course, only if you actually wanted to stay in touch. If you have already swapped the card, asking for LinkedIn as well, maybe a little bit much at that point in time. In that case, your second back-up plan is to take the card again into your hand, look at it and get to get our name right. But say something else about a company like I see the company is based in Melbourne, or I like to philosophy of this paper. Now, it's a little bit of a slight excuse to get an opportunity to look up their name, but it does work and it goes unnoticed if it's part of a longer conversation. Third way is to use open body language positioning does you can invite someone else to your group. And then when the new person into your group starts talking, introduce themselves, That's another way to hear their name. Again. I have none of the backup plans works and it becomes a little bit of parent that they know your name and you don't know this, and you feel a little bit uncomfortable about it is perhaps better to just call it out. You could just say, sorry, I had a very busy day and I'm a little bit tired. Could you please mention your name again or it's quite loud in here? Could you please say and I'm again, I didn't really catch it. Whilst this is the last resort, it shows that you care about the other person and Dave or appreciate that. Look, there's no such thing as a forgetful mind. There's just a trade mind and an untrained mind. And we're here to train to become a better networker. And part of showing that you are someone people want to network with its best, showing your ability to remember their names. So when you run into the same person at the Networking Floor, again, you remember their name. That's excellent because it is where not many people train themselves to Remember Names. So this is an opportunity for you to stand out. Now I'd like to challenge you a little bit, go through a networking event and set yourself a goal of remembering at least five Names at tonight. If you remember it only for a mean, that's okay. This is your baseline for now. The next time you go increase a score from last time you went by just two more Names. And again, and again. Soon you will see that you will get much better at remembering names 15. Social Leadership: So far we've talked about how to open holds and close conversations one-on-one. This is a great skill to practice. But I also want you to be skillful to talk with lots of people at once. Because in reality on the Networking Floor, sometimes you talk with one or two people for a few minutes and then a new person stops by and gets included into the group. So try to show social Leadership. But that, I mean, own the situation and lead away for that person and everyone else you're told me with that, take part in a conversation. It shows that you care about others and are able to take the awkwardness away. I just like you learned in module two that opening conversation is always appreciated in group settings. It is also Appreciated that you open a conversation to everyone and services UK and places you in a leadership position, in-depth conversation. How to do that? If someone needs come through into the group you're standing with, try to reach out, introduce yourself, and introduce the new person to everyone else in that group. And works even better if you could briefly state what they all do. So instead of saying hello John, say hello John, This is Rick and passionate about marketing for X company, and this is Amy. She is a rockstar at Z organization, etcetera. This way you make John feel welcoming that group and also show to rake and Sally and Amy and Steven that you have listened to them and care about what they do. Now as a side note, you might have noticed that I use the active form of introducing people like Bill learned about the lesson about it, elevator pitch. And then make it a bit more playful by saying he's passionate about this. Or they are Rockstar and dab. In some settings that works because it breaks the eyes. But in order networking events, once it a little bit more formal, this may be come across as a little bit to Jolie's like in those situations, it is better to stick to that names and titles. But do the same thing to welcome new people that joined a group and introduced into everyone. But keep the introduction a little bit more formal in those cases. Otherwise, she can be quite a little bit playful. Every organization has a certain level of hierarchy. Your day job, this may be clear, where he stands in an organizational chart and the reporting lines that are in place. But on the Networking Floor, some people may look a little bit more senior than others, but people in general don't really know where you stand in that hierarchy, assuming the Leadership in this social settings, but it's skills. Introducing people you have just met to other people you have just met shows that you are at least capable of being in a leadership role. And that works to your advantage on so many levels. Look, I'm not saying that you should pretend to be the boss when you're actually not. What I'm saying that taking this lead in social situations, it's almost feel a little bit awkward and you are capable of stepping through that shows that you are skillful and capable of leading. And that makes people want to connect with you. It makes it Potential for follow-up phase also stronger because it shows that you care about your network more than about the immediate objectives that you have a going to this networking event or partaking in this online network. So think about it from this angle. The better UKF or your network, the better than networking care for you 16. Moving Swiftly: Opening and closing conversations like you have learned early in this course, is the technique that you can also apply to groups. You're gonna apply the same technique when you will always multiple people in a group and just say, it was great talking with you. It will be amazing to keep in touch. Here's my card or something like that. That is already at great way to exit that group. But once you have shown social Leadership in that group, you have more options to exit. You can exit via the conversation on a high note because you have broken the ice for John. John was new and people were already talking with in a way you're paying a surface to watch on the orders Grindr group so that they don't feel standing by themselves, but to provide it for new conversation partner for them. The new people are likely going to give the introduction to John at this stage. And it makes sense for you to move on. And it's at that stage, as you already have listened to their elevator pitches and the introductions, it also makes it easier to come back to the group later if you want to, because it doesn't feel like you're really concluded the conversation. You just stepped out temporarily. It also leaves room for you to start talking with the group. You send to waver just standing and then later introduced a one group to the other group. Just like to introduce John initially, it shows that you are strong social leader and unadjust there to make individual connections. But you can care about your network by connecting groups of people to each other on the Networking Floor. Then this in turn takes, makes the follow-up phase a lot stronger and warmer. You don't need to be in a senior role in your organization to do this. Everyone can do this, and it's the best way to do that is to practice. So next time you go to a networking function, start off with making a few individual connections and then try to introduce people to introduce them to each other when appropriate. Of course, it may seem for a little bit bold, but in general, it works and people think before it. Plus it makes you more visible as seen as a strong professional network. 17. Whom to Talk With: Now, in an ideal situation, you'd like to talk on the Networking Floor with everyone. It is better to have 30, five-minute conversations with different people than to have 15, 10 min conversations with different people. You want to make as many contexts as possible. But of course, make a conversation long enough. There is a base to make a meaningful connection afterwards. If they're around 20 or 30 people on the Networking events, there's enough time to talk with everyone. But sometimes you are at the Networking Floor where they are 100 or even more people to talk with and time is limited. So womb through you choose room do you pick to Talk With because you can't talk to everyone. Now be proactive in your approaches. Your time is precious and you don't want to waste it by lengthy conversations as people who are not that align to your goals and they're missing out on people we actually want to talk with more urgently. Of course, if someone approaches you for a CED, don't hold your nose up and looked the other way. I mean, do have that chat. But if it is not a right person for you, the Networking goals that you have, or they happen to be a shock. Looking to convert you into a client, try to wrap it up after a few minutes in a friendly way and then move on. Because busy networking rooms are good environment of practice ending conversations. I'm sure you have a chat with mom cook to look for is to connect with peers. People you more or less are in the same level with, so that you can help each other out. This is very normal, very naturally to do, just like you would connect with your colleagues at work as well under break or before that, when you ecology or connect with them. But at networking events, there's a big opportunity to also talk with people. You would usually not talk to that often. So whilst it's great to connect with peers, what valency is actually to look for more senior people. They're generally the ones you want to have for you network, even if there aren't a different industry or not related to the goals that you have at all. I say this partly because they may be able to refer you better than a less experienced person does. And partly because, yes, it improves the general quality if you network by having more senior people in it. Now how to do that? We'll cover in the next chapter. But for now, just remember that most people for hesitant to walk up to a group of senior people to have a chat with them. It feels a little bit daunting and people fool under qualified. This is different for you. You have learned that opening conversations is Appreciated and how to join a group of people that they're already talking with each other. The fact that you took the courage and effort is already speaking to your advantage. And look at a situation from their perspective. They also want to meet new people at networking event. It will be almost rude not to say Hi. There is a separate lesson on how to connect with seniors in, but in this lesson, I'd like to focus on whom to look for just keeping in mind as seniors are always a good idea to strike a chat with. Usually these kind of people are dressed up in a suit or look a little bit older. And they tend to talk with other senior people in the room, just like you would naturally connect with your peers, they do so with this. Now there's one exception to this rule. Sometimes there's this person who hangs out with the senior group, but they appear a little bit under dressed. I've seen it many times. They wear jeans, no tie or unshaded, and yet they talk a lot and people seem to be drawn to them. This is usually not someone will climb the corporate ladder, but an entrepreneur will make it big. And then being undergrads is actually a statement. They're showing off on the Networking Florida. They don't have to press a shirt and wear it. Uncomfortable tie. They do it on purpose to show status. They are above the rat race. They can do whatever they want. They do business because they like to, not because they have to have seen as many thyme and networking flows. And well-known entrepreneurs like Richard Branson then. So we're just jeans and a leather jacket. Or Mark Zuckerberg wears jeans and a t-shirt and a pair of sneakers. So if you see someone crest ran a lot, but being at a center of attention, this is likely a person will, you would like to connect with as well. Now, don't confuse that type of person with the other guy was also under dress, but just appears to be there for the free drinks or for the free food. I've seen this many times as well, especially at free networking events. Another type of personal lookout for as soon work pays to be talking with everyone that seem to flock from one group to the other as a social butterfly. This is usually a person was on the role with networking. And even if they can't help you out directly, they have a lot of people in their Network book could be of benefit to you as well. So if you see someone moving around a lot, tried to talk with them and find out more about them. See if you could help them with their goals and they are likely willing to reciprocate. Also the social butterfly type, not the type of person when we get stuck with in a conversation as a bit too long, there's usually wrap rapid up politely and Swiftly, so that makes it easy for you. So in summary, in the networking event of a small midsize try to talk with everyone. But if they're too many people or just don't want to see what's coming to you. Just be proactive in your approach and approach to people that you have picked out. Well, it's everyone is a potential great bursts to Talk With, tried to look out for more senior people, antisocial butterflies. And that will help you Ian networking goals 18. Talking to Influential People: Now when I do my live seminars, one of the most pressing questions people have about Networking is that they often feel a little bit disqualify to talk to people in a much more senior role than themselves, even though they are an accomplished professional as well. Just have this feeling of this is a CEO of this company or the ambassador of debt country or the head of so-and-so organization. And then who am I to walk up to them? And what do I say? Now this is a very common thought people have is logical because he every day professional life, you would likely not take the initiative to walk on to the CEO's office for just a casual chat. Now, left aside, talking through Z over different organization if you don't really ever pressing reason for that. Yet, here's the beauty of Networking. People are there to make new connections and talk with everyone. You don't need to have a certain rank to qualify to talk with someone. If they happened to be on the Networking Floor with you, that is already enough. The fact that you showed up where a violet or bought a ticket by itself that already validates having a chat with that senior person. Also, even if you're not on the same rank, you do have certain skill set like industry knowledge or insights as someone else doesn't have yet. Now, would it be a little bit of a missed opportunity for the other person not to get to know you. Think of the situation from that perspective. Even though they may be a lot more senior to you, there's still something valuable enough connection. So even if you're a relatively junior in your organization, you can still show to be a very valuable addition to their network, but just holding an interesting conversation with them. Okay, it could be about anything that is happening in the industry or why you thought about events or the speaker if there was one or even just asking how their day was. I mean, yes, there are human as well. There are there for business reasons, but they're also there to have a good time. Now, most likely they will then ask you what you're about and what you Becker is as well. And then you can shine with an interesting conversation like you've learned in the Elevator Pitch module. Not only caveat here is and not try to Want anything from them, because these senior people have tons of responsibilities, are ready to look after. And your objective is really not that important enough. Says this stage because she only just met. Also, just keep it short and sweet. You are just saying hi. It'd be great if you can get their cart and also connected with them on LinkedIn. But sometimes very senior people tried to hold off connecting with you and bring him some kind of excuse not to give you their card. Now, please don't take that personal because in that situation from their perspective, they are constantly being approached by people wanting something from them. Approach to the vendors will want to sell to their organization. Charities will want their donation, people want to jump, etcetera. It is sometimes actually quite hard to be a CEO because I need to say no to so many outreaches. Now if I've spoken to quite a few about an issue, if someone isn't a very powerful position, chances are that don't want to connect just to protect themselves and every rotation. They don't want to run the risk of having someone to have their contact details because then they're trying to sell to them. And they themselves have moved very valuable network themselves. So first-degree contacts in high-ranked positions. And I don't want a relative strange to start setting them out or they're network via them as well. So it's understandable that they may hold off on connecting with you. Now you can't help that powerful people hold up their cars when they first meet because others before you have tried to get something out of them too soon. But what you can do, It's showing that you are a great person to network with. Showing that you're respectful of the time and their position and not aggressively Canvas it them with what you Want to get out of that connection. People will forget what you have said, but they were Remember how you made them feel. And a short introduction and doesn't feel like a leader to a sill is always Appreciated. You never know where that may take you. You're just saying, hi, this stage. If they happen to swap costs and connect with you on LinkedIn now, dad is great, but if they don't, that's okay to thank them for the chat and a great conversation and they will remember that positive attitude. And perhaps next time you meet them may want to connect with you on LinkedIn or swap a card. Now the same mindset works in online networks. You can go say hi to a person with a high serum and if they are high influence. Now whilst on the Networking Floor, you can just walk up to them. On LinkedIn, their message box is a little bit more protected. So you need a way around. I would hold off on connected with them directly because they have no clue who you are and don't have the time to assess you out. And they're often approached with sharks. We wanted to get business out of them. So to avoid that from happening, they will press the Decline button. They can even click the item Notice person button, which flexor leg then a your connection request is not genuine. And if it happens a few times among a lot of gentlemen connection, then that's okay. But the LinkedIn algorithm will remember if it happens too often, you don't want that to happen to your account, it may even get suspended. So you need to move around in a different way. So once you can do, instead of sending them a connection request, you can start following them. Luckily, people with high relevancy and high influence post on LinkedIn relatively often. And you following them will ensure that their posts are in your feet and you get notification when they have posted something new. Now from here, read their posts and try to add an interesting comment to that story. Ideally, would want to say something more than just great post and insights. Thank you for sharing. As that sounds a little bit generic, it doesn't need to become an academic discourse nor be overly flattering of pleasing. But you could mention what you specifically liked or found insightful. They will read your comments for sure, just like you me, everyone is sensitive for people thoughts are on their thoughts. So it was a good command, Dava, even press the like button on that. Now as I get to know you via the comments section, there will be more likely to accept the connection requests that you may send out. Even if they don't, you can rest assured that they will not pressed it. I don't know, disperse and bottom save your potential penalty by the LinkedIn algorithm. Next time you're at networking events, go omega chat with that senior person. The fact that you showed up already gives you permission to go and talk to them. Why don't you hop over to LinkedIn and start following a few influential people in your industry and interact with them via their posts. Who knows where that may take? 19. Your Behavior on the Networking Floor: Now I'd probably goes without saying that when you go to a networking event, you would want to be the best version of yourself, just like how you would go through an interview. Sometimes they invite tells what address code is. For example, when it's a black tie event or the neutrophil events. But if you're in doubt, it save it to be overdressed than under dressed. Because if you fall out of film or being overdressed, and it'll be safe to assume that you had an important client meeting on the same day. You could always undo the thigh to tone down, but that are around doesn't really work. If your rock up in a t-shirt and jeans, you can't really move upwards from there. Are no additional benefit of dressing up is that it also gets you into the mood for the event. It makes you feel more professional and important thing to keep in mind. And it seems obvious to say, but I've seen it go wrong so many times, is to just limit your alcohol intake, your dad to network and made a good impression to the new people that you made. You don't want to appear intoxicated. And people who are training to become a diplomat for the Foreign Service get to specific training on this topic. One thing they are told is to have one glass of water for Africa glass of alcohol you take author or it would be really bad impression if the ambassador gets drunk. Way. You want ambassador to the company that you worked for. I founded on this Networking Floor. So you would not want to get drunk either. Now you're not there for the free drinks in the first place. If you'd like to have a fund wild-eyed out, I mean, go for it another day. But at networking function, know your limits. I know for myself that if I have two or maybe three wines are defined during the night and feel right the next day. But if we take four more drinks, it does affect my performance and I feel a little bit off next day book, I've had weeks where I went to a networking event every night of the week after work. And if I maximize my drinking, I would feel terrible about alcohol intake limits differs from different person but not say, make it one drink less than the point where you start to feel it. So know your limits and bring water in-between alcoholic drinks. It's also okay to tell waitstaff do not want to top up your drink. If you don't want to drink more. Because you don't want to ruin all the effort going their dressing up, making new connections, and then leave a bad impression about being intoxicated. It seems obvious, but I've seen many people made a mistake too many times. I had to say it. Next, we're going to networking function. Another point I would like to make. It's okay to talk with colleagues and salt together at the beginning a little bit, just to get a bit of a feel for the room. Well, when it's a big event with lots of people to potentially talk to, it's okay to split up. So let's ease of you can make connections with different compartments of that Networking Floor. It's not your office party after all. You're there to meet people and have often witnessed that people from the same company ascending in the same corner with the colleagues talking about internal topics or might, there may be a time and place for that, but on the Networking Floor, Time is too precious. Go to lunch with your colleagues, but on the Networking Floor, your data to make contacts. You're going to networking event which is relatively junior, inexperienced colleague. You may need to keep them company as well at first, just like you would when you bring a new person to your friend's birthday party. But eventually it's okay to tell your colleagues to start talking to different people, either together or when does the small events or divide up two different ways. So it's a large events. I mean, professional network is even plan out beforehand whom they want to talk with and how they're going to do that mean sometimes there's a networking event as a guest is published before the event. And then you can kind of suss that out. Now of course, you wouldn't want to walk around the guesses that you have them tick of the people as you work the room. But it's a good idea to take a mental note of that list and trying to assess them out before you go. So as you plan out womb, you want to speak with a large event. You may to also strategize before you go. Whom? Dogs with womb. When I was in Business Development, I sat down with my manager and discuss, boom should approach which type of guests? I mean, people move around and never goes exactly to plan. But it does help to get the most out of the valuable time. And it's better to start with more prospects of success when you plan ahead. So don't go in blank. Then at the end of the night, do thank the house. Just like you would do at a friend's party. Even if it's a corporate event and the host left all the planning and catering to professional event organizer will get as cost them money and effort to get the event together. And yes, everyone likes to be Appreciated. But most people don't do this. They walk out of the Networking events, like there would walk out of a cinema. This is a lost opportunity. You would want to be remembered on a positive note. And it shows proper attitude if you thank to house for the hospitality, even if you've purchased a ticket to the events. And look, the house is likely a very connected person themselves with whom you would like to have a networking chat as well. So do think the house on the way out and if you could not find them at the flow, do so on LinkedIn. It's a great starting point for further conversation as well. I hope it steps helps and happy networking 20. How to Follow-Up: The last lesson was all about how to keep the dozens of people you meet within breach on a positive note, grading Passive Positive Potential. Now let's say you meet someone or get into use, or someone normally do think there isn't next step with how do you go about that? How do you bring it up what you're after in a professional way without becoming awkward or clingy or salesy. That's what this lesson is all bad. First of all, don't let it sit. People often have the great intention immediately after networking event, but then on the way home they catch up on work email and the next day they are a bunch of other urgent things to do and unintentionally, but automatically, you start being forgetful about the new connections you have made and they forget about you. So don't let that happen. Of course, respect that people have other things to do as well, but try to follow up in the next few days or so. See if you could go for coffee or lunch sometime. If you're offices are closed, the longer you wait, the less likely it's going to go ahead. Especially when someone has a high influence position, it will likely to be time for lunch or coffee, doesn't really feel like at time commitment because they go for at lunch or coffee anyway. Now, even if they have to say no, they will still be appreciative that you reached out and thought about them and invited them. But most likely they will say yes, because if you did all the other steps right, you have shown to be different from the shocks. You have leveraged yourself on relevance and connection. And they usually appreciate the Follow-up. On a side note here, It's even though you're following up on a great thing, but you do don't call you follow-up appointment, a Follow-up. Look, the problem here is that a wording like Follow-up is overused in sales environments, people start to feel identified as a lead If the calendar invite reads, follow-up appointment. And as we already learned, people don't want to be sold to name the ketchup, just launch or don't make it sound like there's a sales intense, but that's just a side note. Now, once you go to once you ordered had a bit of a small Talk, It's okay to bring up what you're looking for. You don't have to know. Like if you're just looking to make new connections in the industry, That's all right. Just continuing the conversation. They can handle the Networking Floor and build a friendship from there. What if there's something that you feel this person could help you with? The key here is to bring it up in a way that it doesn't become their issue. For example, if you're looking for a Mentor or an introduction, or get invited to a conference, or the next networking cake, or the end of year garlic or whichever favorite. Maybe. If you ask them to get that favor source for you, they will likely result in a bit of an uncomfortable feeling on their end. I mean, they already have 99 things to look after and they're just not meeting the hue just to for that to-do list to get even longer. So the key here is to, amongst other topics that you want to talk about, show ambition, show passion, show a keen interest. And then people lean in. People laughed, we part of the success story and hear more about your plans and your ideas and people alignments People, the same passion or an even stronger passion. They tend to not alive as this or that problem that you need solving. Because really at this stage, you are not their problem. The only met with you just now. So bringing up your objective in a positive, ambitious, passionate way, talk about what you're after with enthusiasm. Like you, they'll respond with an offer to help. They're buying on the ambition and passion, not on the fact that you are in need of something. That is a bit of a funny, unwritten rule, how people work. And I've seen it in many times. People love to help by the hate given things to do. So even though it's the same thing, right? It just brings a different feeling to that same task. When I offered to help, I actually helped you. I feel good about myself. I use my connections, my relevance, and or status to do something good, to contribute to something greater. But when I'm asked to solve your problems, are then if you a little bit like you're using my influence connections and relevancy for your personal gain. So even though I'm helping you with the same favor in the same way, it feels so different. So keep in mind, you want to talk about what you're after. People offer help to and it asked them to resolve your needs. Even though it's the same thing, make it exciting enough so that they start to offer their help. Most often they will if it is within the reach, of course. But at some cases you may notice that they listen attentively. They connected this deal new story, the Appreciated your passion and your ambition, but they just don't offer their help. There could be a number of reasons for this. It may not have popped their mind or they may feel it's just too early in your professional relationship, or they may just not be able to. Now what you could do at that point in a conversation is to ask if they know someone else who can help you with what you're after. Introducing you. Doesn't feel like a task. In this way. You don't make your issue. It should become in-between the relationship between the two of you. You want to keep it open and clean. And by asking for a relevant introduction, the other person does not feel like they owe you something or feel like their attitude is to do list because it doesn't really take that much time. Or there's only works, of course, if you have shown not to be a shock, if you follow the steps so far, you've built value via irrelevancy and connection. And I'm sure that if they are great to go for coffee or lunch with you, they're already identified you as a great networker. So your request for an introduction will be remembered and you can leave it at that for now. You can rest assured that they will remember you and what you need and will help you if they can. People tend to put their best foot forward with people they care about, most likely, they will try to help you, but if not, don't worry about it, sometimes they just are not in a position to help you or introduce you to people to as irrelevant to you. And that is okay. Sure that the ketchup is pleasant and interesting and don't make your objective. The main thing to professional relationship here is more important than the need you have at this moment in time. So keep it light and open. Last bit of MACed always offered to help the other person as well. Of course, only if appropriate, if the other person happens to be the CEO, you'd like the account over help this much, then it's okay not to. But if it's a peer or someone more or less on the same level, it's a good idea to offer how to help them enrich F or ambition that they may have. Even if they don't ask these attitudes, strength is both your relevancy and your connection pillar and also your influence pillar. So don't make it sound like you're just trying to convert them as a client or trying to make this a bar that you're like, I can do this for you and then only if you do that for me, then networking is not gentlemen anymore. You offer to help, is to help them with a connections, not to help their organization with the products and services your firm offers. So this is a whole different angle. It's personal networking. When you're in, introducing the other person to someone, doesn't cost you anything either. And likely the person that you met, they'll be willing to reciprocate. Now we're offering help. You should also show value to them and that you are a strong network. And if the organization they've worked for actually do need to products and services from your organization, then they will remember you. So just try to avoid this making this a sales conversation. That's not the idea. That day is to just start a good professional relationship. And if they want to buy, they will consider you. And if they don't want to buy, don't let it run a relationship by pushing for us for what you Want. Sure to catch up is pleasant and interesting and they'll make your objective. The main thing to professional relationship here is most important and the rest will follow after 21. Create Passive Positive Potential: Now potentially, everyone you meet at a networking event could help you further and potentially you could be of help the demo as well. The reality is if you go to networking events quite regularly and make an effort a 20 to 50 new contexts every time. And then one week after you make another 20 to 50 new contexts and so forth. And soon you could cover your whole living room floor with just Business Cards like you collected. It would feel impossible to follow-up with them or one-on-one in a coffee or lunch appointment. And luckily, he dead is not expected. For most people that you made. There's nothing immediate next step, but it could change in the future. So if you go to the new business card from someone with whom you had a nice jet, but there's just not the next step for now. Don't forget about it immediately or let it sit in as row until the day that you actually might need it. Do you connect on LinkedIn with them? Anyway? They might come a day that you do need that person. And if that day comes, you want to be on a good books, then they Remember you want to keep the relationship open and positive? Yes, for now it's only Passive. And when did they come so that you need them again, it's easy to rekindle that relationship and pickup way of left off. Now one way to do that is to include in your LinkedIn invite what you talked about. It shows that you paid attention and also that the relationship matters to you. Used to personalization function in the LinkedIn to personalize you invite. As a matter, a lot of people on networking events, I developed a little trick when a major connection, I included where and met them. So that next day both him and I and it's still nowhere ever met. But in a few months or maybe a year or five years down the track, I would have forgotten. Now. I remember people and a conversation better when I'm recall where I met them. So I include this information in the invitation text. Another person, this is properly, doesn't really make much of a difference just now, but in the future, if I need to follow up, then it's very useful to me to have that info about what we talked about and where we met from my own memory. Now, if that's not your style, that's alright. You could also just keep note of the people that you met separately by a physical notebook or just an Excel. Or if you can use the nose functions and LinkedIn and keep your private notes about where you met, what you spoke about and what to potential future is for next steps. Now once you'd like to do next after networking event, is to follow up with about everyone you met by sending them a personalized in vital LinkedIn. I mean, it helps to build a quality network fast. It only takes us, say, 20 min of duties and it's totally worth the time. Now another thing you could include in this invite is to ask them if you could be of help to dip. It depends, of course, where she talked about and the networking event. But most of them, there's nothing you could help them with right now. But it shows the right attitude. And if you may need them for helping a future point, then the premise of happening each other is already said because you already offered them help in the first place. So by personalizing, adding those and offering help, you show that you're putting your best foot forward in that new relationship, even though there is not an immediate opportunity at hand for now. So the relationship is Passive for now, but on a positive note. And it keeps the potential there for the future. 22. Your Online Presence: Now when you met someone new on the Networking Floor or in online networks, you will likely look them up by googling their name and guess what? People will do the same with you. Now you'd want that Google search result to show a pretty picture of you. And then I'm not only talking about the headshot, but especially about what else be if I can find about you, perhaps as a picture from a FUN box body just a few years ago, where things go the little bit out of hand. Ordered one time he got upset and felt ventilating that frustration with a ranting online review. That's the case. Tried to remove it immediately, but we all have our private lives and it's okay to show that as part of your Online Presence, but you would want to be choosy on the first impressions that people get when they type your name in Google. Hop into a private or Incognito browser typing your name and if you are business owner, also your company name and see what pops up suggesting a private or I don't think they'll Raza, because Google Places cookies to personalize search results and you would want to have an independent search results on your name, like you would pop up for someone else. Now once you removed everything that you feel it's not really part of your Online Presence anymore. We will want to work the other way round. Do you want to work in the other direction? Make you look amazing online. But this is your chance to strengthen your relevancy and influence Pillars. We do it as we're writing a few pieces of relevant content. You're probably thinking, I don't want to become a blogger or I don't have that much to say. Now, don't worry. I'm not asking you to create a website would become one of those instagram famous people posting selfies. Now what I'm just trying to get across is that would be great to have like two or three articles that your road, because they will pop up into search results. It shows that you're asking the right questions and know your stuff. Now LinkedIn is an excellent place for this. With LinkedIn Pulse, you can write a short article or what you know about the industry, or what you're anticipating to changing your industry or just the latest development in your field that you follow, or just why you would like working in the field that you're currently in. Doesn't need to be mind-blowing or rocket science or turning the world upside down. Just a pleasant breed about what you find interesting is good enough. Now please find my resource on thought satisficer content in this section. And all you needed a stage is just Tree articles. More is better, but three already makes you stand out from the oddest because most people don't even read the articles. But the fact that you have written and published them or whether it shows a step ahead compared to most others. In other words, she has strengthened your influence and relevancy Pillars a only to do it once. If you do this on linked in your articles, show up on your profile, which is great. Show up also in your feed to people who comment on it and we'll connect with you. So that's also another way to get more connections. You don't need to be blogging on a platform like WordPress to save you a lot of hassle. Just saying that's good enough. If you do want to take this one step further, you could actually consider contributed to someone else's blog or an industry magazine. It shows that people care about your opinion. Again, you're strengthening your influence and relevancy. And then there's a few times and although it was a lot of back-and-forth with the editors of the magazine on what I could include a whatnot. It did work in my favor. 23. Follow up Tactics: Now, most people you'll meet are more or less in the Passive Positive category. Now somewhere elders are for immediate follow-up. And then they're probably also a lot of people are a little bit in-between the two. Now where someone sits also depends on what movements you and the other person makes. And sometimes you drift in different directions and that is okay. But sometimes you're interested in goals. May also alive on day, which is a great moment and live in that Passive Positive Potential. Luckily, LinkedIn has a notification icon to help you stay alert when things changed for people in your network, especially when they change jobs. This could make for a great moment in time to say hi. And then someone was previously considered Passive Positive could now be highly relevant. If they do send them a congratulations. It works much the same way like Facebook has certifications for your friends birthdays. Or you could also utilize the follow button. The people you follow are the ones that you get to see in your feet and will pop up in your notifications. It is possible to stay connected on LinkedIn and also not follow them or not be connected but do follow. So there's two different things. Personally, I would only unfollowed someone if I'm really not compelled by their content. And I removed the connection if they clearly show sharp Behavior and I'm a bit afraid they will canvas people in my network. But the follow but not Connect button is a great way to learn more about interests and posts from people that you haven't met yet. This way you get to note and first and then can make more solid connection with them. Now once you have made that connection, either on the Networking Floor on LinkedIn, don't immediately send them a sales pitch. It just downgrade you to a shock. Well, what you can do is to continue the conversation I've had with some interesting content that you have already written. Once you have to article in an industry magazine or on LinkedIn Pulse, you can use that to continue the conversation that you had before. It shows that you are very relevant person in this industry and perhaps also have built up some influence as well. How does strategy only works if at the Networking Floor or on the oh, my network where you met that there is a conversation happening with alliances Vikki tend to write about. That is not the case. Then you could also sent an article from someone else and refer to that instead, of course, with the older person's name. It doesn't need to be some highbrow or an academic discourse. Just say a rider. You have, just read this article about this topic, which reminds you of the great conversations you have had with them. And in this way, you kinda rekindle that relationship that you started with a networking event. It shows that you care about them, that they are on top of mind. You have a valid reason to touch base and keep the relationship or live without it being a sales approach, like all the auto salespeople do into fields, it makes you stand out and helps you get them to say yes to a one-on-one lunch or just a coffee, their time pool. Now this tactic is effective. It doesn't need to take a lot of time because you will probably read the main blogs and magazines circulating in your field of work anyway. So all you need to do is thinking, hey, these articles really relevant for this lead, and that article is really relevant for deadly etc. and that way you build up content that makes you shine. And people will mind you if they have something that I actually want to buy 24. Getting out of Networking what you Want: You are enrolled in this course because you wanted to get better at networking. Now they've looked at every step of the way from the initial contact to small Talk to the Elevator Pitch, exchanging contact details and following up. Along the way, they're focused on strengthening the three key pillars of why people network with you, like comfort, relevancy, and influence. I hope this course has at least taken away that uncomfortable feeling that you previously had when you went to networking events. And we're over, I hope that networking is now a tool for you to advance your professional goals. But Baffin reached the mth. This is actually just the beginning of getting something out of Networking. In this module, we'll look at how networking for the long run works and getting a mentor to help you further 25. How to get Referrals: Now Referrals are priceless, both literally and figuratively. People will always consider someone who is referred to them. What is for a role, a product, or service? If it comes from a trustworthy source, people will take the time to at least consider talking with you seriously. Now, most people just want to do good for our network. We referring you make to people happy after all, you and they oughta contact as both of you are mutually relevant to each others need. It usually will work out, or at least they will introduce you. Now it's almost people would like to see a benefit for themselves, but broken does connections, like a recruiter would charge a fee if a person gets hired. But in most other cases, every furrow is free and if there's a price tag attached to it, it's payable only if the deal goes through. Now, asking for a referral doesn't cost you anything. Yeah, there would recommend three things. So look out for to make this work for you. Started offering to refer first. It sets the right intention. In some cases you can refer to each other, and sometimes person a can refer person B, whilst person B does not have the right context to help that person a. And that is okay. But by starting to offer to person a to refer him or her to anyone in your network. It shows a you are at least willing to help out. And of course you should try to refer them where possible. Offering to refer can also be a conversation starter, especially when you met someone online. You can say a ride to the new contact on LinkedIn. If there's anyone in my network that I can refer you to, feel free to let me know. Now, it doesn't obligate you to refer that relatively new person in your network to your closest contacts. But if their request is reasonable and makes sense, try to see if you could connect it to people. Then we ask for yourself to be referred, tried to be specific in what you can offer instead of just saying what you want. If you want to be introduced to the hiring manager, for example, I mentioned why I would love to work there. And what are skills are that you could bring, you want to be introduced to the decision-maker, will could buy your product or service. Mentioned why your office such a great fit for them. Nothing lengthy detail but at least mentioned but the typical client or typical job is that you are looking for because it works much better than just saying you are looking for people who have jobs and offer or you're just looking to get more clients. Because that sounds a little bit too generic and playing. Everyone wants more clients. But by being specific, people actually start to think whom they could refer you to. Necessarily always mentioned that you would appreciate if they could refer you, but if it doesn't work out or your skill set or your product offering is just not right for them, then that is okay. Are you asking for here is just a chat with the right person. No strings attached, mentioning there this, okay, if it doesn't work out, helps to take away any doubts about whether the potential referral could be successful. Any fear that you may be onto something like clinged to them or being pushy, that will be taken away by saying that you want to be cautious and respectful at all times. So keep these three things in mind when trying to get referred, offered to refer first, be fairly specific in what you can offer and include that you're only after a chat to see if there's a fit. No problem is it doesn't work. Now this approach to getting Referrals works when you meet with a person who has a lot of influenzae industry and many contexts that they could refer you to. But it also works if you're going for coffee or lunch with someone you met her, the networking event was unrelated to the industry because they may know someone, will Mason one, etcetera. So offering and asking for referrals is a good element of a follow-up conversation. Next to everything else that you'd like to talk about. Of course, to spend a few minutes to see if you could be of help to the other person and vice versa. I mean, no pressure, just see if there's Potential 26. Get a Mentor: Now, often when I speak about networking events and touch base on mentoring, people know of one-half is attitude of Well, look, I don't need a Mentor. I have my job and my boss is my mentor in a way. And if we need help, I can ask my colleagues or my superiors. So far I've been fine getting good feedback whom it and it will refuse. So I don't need a Mentor. Now that is understandable. But those people are missing out. You don't necessarily need to have a problem or fall behind in some aspect of your work to go look for a Mentor. A Mentor can be a great help. Even things are going perfectly fine because they give you insights you would otherwise not have had. They can introduce you to people, context you would otherwise not have had. And they can help you plan ADG career in the long run, not just from the current review period to the next, but the thing can happen is you where you wanna go and help you from day. I've you have a good relationship with your manager. This person often already acts as a Mentor in a way. And even though you're under fortress position, because let's face it, therefore, one is happy with their manager, is even when you have an amazing manager who's Inspirational, then that's still advise you to go look for a Mentor outside of the organization that you currently work for. Because they can say things your manager is not in opposition to say. You can discuss things with them that you may not want to discuss this humanitarian aid, you get a second and been from an expert outside of your current network, providing you with valuable insights. Now, of course, is relationship with a Mentor takes time to develop and to build a trust relationship with them. But a benefits of having an info Mentor can prove invaluable. Networking is perhaps the best way the get a Mentor in your industry. You could look for someone who is a professional mentor and ask, will ask his feet to Mentor you. What you may also be successful in finding a person on the Networking Floor. And a real benefit of Networking, as you can find an informal mentor, someone who does have seniority and influencers, but it's not necessarily act if you're looking for mentees and doesn't charge a fee, they can Mentor because they like to, because they want to give back, because they appreciate their experience is valued by you. Likely you are only one of a few, or if only the only Min theta they have daycare provider mentorship for free. And last but not least, mentors can open it Network for you. Oh, mentors I currently have in senior people that I met at networking events. They ran dare to look for mentee, so make some side income to start a mentoring business. They were just add to network and meet new people. I just had a chat with them and in the same way, like I told you on the last lesson on how to make a conversation with a senior person, things went from there in that way. I never brought up the point that our land to Mentor Me. I just went naturally, feed them as friends and someone has asked them for advice when a text or call them, and don't use the word Mentor, But the fact that they actually are Mentor to me. Now, if this idea of finding one or multiple mentors appeals to you and you're having a great chat with the senior person on the Networking Floor, you could ask if it would be okay if you would ask them for advice from time-to-time, just because you are relatively junior in industry or to roll. This way, they don't feel they're being locked into a mentorship commitment with you. But it does give you the same room the domain D otherwise would have. So you're getting the same benefit of having a Mentor without it being a formal arrangement or without you having to pay for it. Now, alternatively, you could say that you're looking for a Mentor and ask them directly. On the one hand, this approach makes it's clear from the beginning what you're looking for. But on another hand, that senior person may think, well, look, I'm busy. I'm not trained as a mentor or coach, so perhaps this is not for me. And they politely decline. Opportunity gone just because the idea of becoming a Mentor bus not familiar to them. Even though there would've been a perfect Mentor. The time commitments only small. So it's okay to ask her mentorship, but doing this the informal way, it's usually a safer bet to getting a yes and then it grows organically. Are getting an a Mentor on a networking event works for a number of reasons. First of all, they got in their position because they have had a series of mentors whom they could go along the way. Most people feel like giving back to what I receive and are open to mentor others in there too. Also, some people are a bit flatter that you ask them. It's strokes to equal a little bit That works out in your favor. Now there are three important aspects of the approach I'd like you to keep in mind. First of all, it's important that you request me mentored is genuine if they agreed to mentor you. And the next step you're taking is trying to sell to them or ask them to high you, then you're actually seen as a shock. Then you lost a goodwill that you have just built up. It's okay to make no, you have your objectives to but decency and started these mentor mentee relationship in the first place. Secondly, when you have just met, make it clear that your request to be mentored is not going to take a lot of time from them. Especially if asked him them formally, senior people are busy and thinking about the set time aside for a frequent basis for a person I've only just met them as everything else or they have to do. Oh, that's probably a little bit too much. And they will say no. But this is the beauty of adding the word. Some time. Could ask you for advice some time just to avoid their lock In Fear to pop up. So keep the timeframes open and show respect towards the time. Certainly once you agreed to mentor, you keep them informed about your whereabouts from time to time. If you haven't spoken with you, maintain a while, but change jobs or made a promotion or started to work on a new exciting project. Tell them, even if they have no advice as needed, they don't have time to keep up later on everything that happens in your professional life, but it's important to keep them informed from time to time. When you need to Mentor, it actually works better if they know what's happening at this point in time, your professional life. You don't want to wait until you're in a difficult situation and need to help now, it would be awkward to call him up as Elmo. Look, we haven't spoken in two years, but could you please help me out? So just touch base about every few months. Now also, once they did something for you, keep them updated how that particular activity is going. If you'd all the steps to right way, there would likely open their network for you. This is where networking really works, because now you have someone directly in your network with high influence, high relevancy and strong comfort. You want to show that you are competent networking and not some kind of shock. If they introduced you to someone who could help you out. Omega zero will lend you that new job or get a ticket to the exclusive event or whatever it may be. Tell them how it went, what you liked about it and especially to be very cautious and respectful to you, Mentor. And if BBM made along the way, as a final tip, always say a word of thanks. You're probably not in the position yet to pay them an equal favor and that is okay. They are paying them mentorship forward. We'll do acknowledge that you Appreciated time and inside bottom a lunch. So cinema, Christmas card, even though they could easily pay for their own lunch. And often they have to pay, but at least offer the gesture is Appreciated. Good mentors are a valuable. And yes, it is a plural. It's good to have more than one. Like personally, I've Mendez outside organizations that have worked for they have substantially helped me when I was searching for the ride. Next step, both with connections and figure out what the best thing is to do and actually do few them as friends. You shouldn't be having a Mentor just for the freebies, but on top of older mentoring and advice that I've received, they have also invited me to number of Quad exclusive restaurants and I've never seen a bill, even though it's so often to pay. They can afford a lifestyle that you might not have achieved yet, but they are happy to share. Having a great mentor is valuable, so many levels. So don't think that you don't need one because everything is just fine. I can honestly, nothing of a profession where not having an external informal mentor would be valuable in your situation. Use your networking skills to get a great mentor on your side. This is probably a lot to remember. I've compiled a cheat sheet for you on how to get a great mentor and keep the relationship alive, useful and professional 27. Networking for a Lifetime: How we started this course with talking about a pain points. The things we don't like about networking. And also the things that you wanted to get out of Networking, want to get better at. Now from there we talked about the valuable connections model, about comfort, relevancy and influence and how you can strengthen all these Pillars alone, your networking directory. We also have covered about not becoming a shark or how to deal with Luckin phi along the way. I'll also follow things to pay attention to suggest your Online Presence and the potential to find a Mentor on the Networking Floor. Aviv, nearing the end of the course, I hope you feel more confident and comfortable about networking and yes, I hope more fond. Of course, the proof of the pottering is the eating. So go out, do networking events and practice everything that bath loans. Now, people often on the fence when they start networking with a new person. Questions in the back of the ones include, are going to sell like a shock or do I have a peacock in front of me? If you're just trying to be yourself and have a memorable elevator pitch and just listen and chat with others. You will be noticed. Analyse the time to build your network for the future, your future, and add ovalis. Try to walk around on the Networking Floor with that mindset on how you can help instead of how you can get. You probably already have heard of the saying that if you give more, you get more. And that could not be true then when it comes from networking, the more comfortable you become, the less pressure dairies and the better than networking, but actually work. When I first started going through networking events, our simulation, you thinking which person may immediate I could sell to or womb could help me make that syl or find me that job. But now I'm just thinking, let's see which interesting people I may meet today. Networking really starts to work for you when you stay. Outcome, agnostic. Conversations become more interesting when there's less pressure for the visuals. Even though that sounds counterintuitive out, it doesn't mean you should throw out all your objectives or everything you have learned. But I'm just trying to say that if you internalize the lessons in this course, they become second nature to you and everything starts to float easier and fall into place. And you've probably also heard about as saying that there are only seven handshakes between any one on this planet. Now if I can be one of those seven handshakes for anyone landing their dream job or getting the product or service to market, or just getting to people to help each other app professionally as a Mentor or ISPs. Well, I'm happy to do that, so I'm happy to be part of that chain. So we'll go out and network and see which person you may meet while you have your objectives. Just think of how you could be of service to others regardless of what your objective is and see how you could help others on this event. I hope you liked the course. Whilst this is the last lesson, this is not the end. How could this be a course about Networking if there was no other network connecting to it. So please connect on LinkedIn group, the Facebook group, and follow the networking experience on Instagram. For some inspiration, networking success stories, and to meet the ADA participants who took the course. So bye for now here, but I'll see you again online.