Posts Tagged ‘business networking’

Get on your Boss’ “Nice” List at the Company Holiday Party!

Monday, December 7th, 2009

the_office_partyCheer, merriment and good spirit are circulating the chilly air and the company holiday party is right around the corner. This is a perfect opportunity to socialize with your co-workers, make great impressions on your superiors and get to know the people you work with outside of business small talk. You get that invitation, first things first: RSVP and utilize these tips to be a great gracious guest.

•    It’s a holiday party, dress festively. That does not mean sporting a Santa suite, but a classy, generally semi-formal, company appropriate outfit should be your go-to.

•    These are social events, so by all means socialize, laugh, sing a holiday tune if the opportunity presents itself, but keep in mind that you are at a company function and the decisions you make should be responsible and respectable.

•    With that in mind, no one likes a stiff at a party, so enjoy yourself. Don’t structure all talk about work, deadlines and bosses, but rather, use this as a way find other common interests with your fellow employees. How are your kids? Did you see that game? We go skiing in Vail every year, how about you?

•    Bringing a tasteful gift is a nice gesture to show your appreciation for the party and for being a part of the company.

•    Showing a genuine interest in co-workers and involving everyone in conversation will keep the party going. No one likes to feel like the odd ball out, save that for Jr. High dances.

•    Use the holiday party as a venue to speak with those who you don’t usually interact with. Schmooze with the President or other departments, look at this as an opportunity to network within your company. Making a connection on a personal level, in some cases, can give you an advantage.

•    Don’t go overboard with the free drinks and food. Especially if you are going to use this as a networking forum, moderation is something to tactfully employ.

•    Most of all, have fun! Take advantage of this treat and be thankful for it!

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Posted in Management | 1 Comment »

Link in to a whole new network!

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

linkedin4Linkedin is based on a simple philosophy, “Relationships matter.” In today’s competitive and tough economic landscape, it has become more important than ever to maintain and cultivate your relationships. Linkedin is considered to be the #1 social media platform for professional networking. Launched in 2003, Linkedin has grown into an online network that only a few days ago surpassed 50 million users from around the world representing 150 industries. The goal is to connect with former colleagues, potential business partners and/or old classmates to uncover business opportunities. Keep Linkedin’s philosophy in mind when you’re networking on Linkedin. Make sure to keep it professional and act as if every relationship is of great importance. This means that if you meet someone at a networking event make sure to follow up with this person and when sending out the request to connect, do not send out the standardized message. Make sure to include a short but personal note from your first meeting.

The most important on Linkedin is your profile. It needs to be perfect! In this case, perfect means completely filled out, flawless with no grammatical errors and preferably with additional Linkedin tools implemented. Think of your profile as your resume in depth. There are a number of tools and tricks that can be utilized to improve your profile so that it stands out and increases your business opportunities.

Enhance your search engine results by implementing strong key words. Both recruiters and individuals often use the search function. You will increase your chances of having your profile appearing if you make sure to spread out keywords on your page.

Update your status. By using Ping.fm or hellotxt.com your status can be pushed to all of your social networks at once. Just remember that Linkedin is not a place to write that you’re craving Jell-O. The status should reflect your work and provide the other users with the latest updates of what is going on within your company.

A great way to build your brand is to utilize the “Answer” function. Here is where you show your expertise by answering, but also by asking questions. By sharing knowledge within your network you’ll earn expert status and increased credibility.

Create and join groups. They are free to join and you’re allowed to join more than 50 groups. This is an easy way to explore and get access to a number of connections. By joining a group you can connect with the other group members, which might end up being your future business partner, customer or investor. Every group also has a discussion board where everything from tips and job postings to new opportunities and expert comments are displayed.

Ask for recommendations. There is nothing wrong in requesting a recommendation from previous colleagues, employer or clients, as long as you’re clear about your intentions. Remember that the more recommendations you write, the more people will recommend you.

This brings us back to one of the key points when utilizing any social media platform: you have to give in order to receive the benefits!

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Posted in Marketing | No Comments »

So, you’re at a networking event. Now what?

Monday, October 5th, 2009

networking_professionals1We all hear that networking is the key to success in business. Who you know  in a room is often more important than who you are. For that purpose, networking events have become a weekly staple for most businesses. However, many people feel intimidated at the thought of walking into a room full of people they don’t know and starting conversations with them. Preparing yourself for these events will lift the weight from your shoulders and allow you to network with the best of them.
Going in with the right mindset and goals will make your experience easier and more enjoyable.

Being genuine is one thing that people often forget when faced with these situations. They are so worried about making the right impression, that they completely forget who they are and why they are there. Focus on being your best you.  You are there to make connections and to gain clients, so establish yourself as an expert. Your confidence and knowledge about your field will leave a lasting impression.

When meeting people, you want them to want to know you. Articulating what you are looking for and how you can help them gives you the position of control. Even if the person you are engaged in conversation with has no direct need you can fill, they may know someone who does and will likely make that introduction if they understand your value.

Most importantly, don’t burn any bridges. Treating everyone you encounter with the highest regard will reflect well on you and your company.  Follow up with these people quickly after the event to brand yourself in their minds. This will prove to be the most effective in building relationships, contacts and clients.

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Posted in Marketing | 1 Comment »