Become a business networking ambassador with our ‘how to get more from your business networking’ workshop

New open course dates coming soon
To book other dates or at your venue please phone
0114 288 5951

For Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire Chamber courses - click here

It’s a fact
The traditional ‘meet, tell us something about yourself in 2 minutes and then exchange business cards’ is considered by most networking ‘experts’ to be one of the least valued ways of developing a true business networking opportunity.

This PRACTICAL (without any embarrassing role play) workshop turns business networking on its head in the way that it looks at how both the individual and the company can truly benefit from business networking.

You will be introduced to techniques that will help increase your confidence, improve your presentation skills and manage your contacts in a productive and profitable manner. We will even show you why most business cards work against you when networking and on which side you should wear your name badge – and why.

In less than a day, you will learn how to spot opportunities you previously missed, discover how to create a buzz about you and your business and know how to communicate with fellow networkers – even the rude ones.

Networking is: 
1. A process for establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other business people and potential clients and / or customers
2. An opportunity to increase business profitability. This can be achieved in a number of ways including developing a relationship with a potential client or supplier and / or learning a new business skill or technique
3. Something you should be doing all the time - face to face, on the telephone, via e-mail and social networking sites etc.

Networking is not:
1. Simply turning up at the myriad of networking events to exchange business cards and catch up on old news
2. Selling yourself to everyone you meet – without understanding the real reason why you are there
3. A challenge to collect the most business cards

Networking - according to the experts:
• Is 12 times more effective than answering job advertisements
• Helps you find hidden opportunities
• Sets you apart from the competition

Course format
The format of the workshop is interactive (no role play) and is designed to share good ideas and best practise using a focused and structured format. In addition, each delegate will also receive their own personal 60+ page printed resource manual containing more hints, tips and contacts.

By the end of the workshop delegates will:
• Know how to select the ‘right’ networking event
• Understand the advantages (and disadvantages) of business networking
• Be able to create a business contact system for efficiently following up business opportunities
• Discover how to ‘work the room’ – even at the first visit.
• Benefit from trusted hints and tips for increased confidence

Our full day workshop includes the following topics:

1.What is business networking – the principles of successful networking
• Setting objectives – what do you wish to achieve (both business and personal) from the networking event.
• How to create a networking kit

2.Identifying the ‘right’ networking opportunities including on - line forums, social networking sites and commercial versus non - commercial Organisations.
• The six degrees of separation and the Oracle of Bacon
• How the government can help you build your personal networking contacts.

3. Recognising and developing personal networking skills – including interpersonal and communication techniques.
• The art of perception – understanding others.
• Identifying the other person’s preferred communication style
• How to listen better – rather than simply waiting for your turn to talk
• Ask the right type of questions – the 3 different types

4. Presenting yourself: Understanding how you ‘come across’ to the other person(s)
• Overcoming the fear of ‘public speaking’
• Tips to help you with your presentation skills
• How to become memorable
• Develop an ‘elevator pitch'
• Breaking the ice – knowing how to invade a natural group
• How to produce business cards that work for you rather than against.

5. Building and expanding a business network including the use of a CRM system.
• How to cultivate, weed and then harvest your business contacts

6. Networking tactics and techniques
• ‘Working the room’
• Infiltrating formed groups
• The value of networking buddies

7. Case studies and examples of best practise.
• How to turn your colleagues into unpaid sales people

8. The 10 key steps to successful networking

9. What to do when business networking turns bad

Book your place NOW on our next Business Networking seminar and discover how networking can seriously make a positive difference to your bottom line.

Phone our bookings line - (0114) 288 5951

This desk based interactive seminar (with no embarrassing role play) is written and delivered by David Watkins who has 36 years continual experience in 'doing it' and 24 years helping othersdo it better.

Each participant receives a personal priority indicator prior to the course that ensures the course is tailored to their needs.


Please note, the all inclusive fee includes welcome coffee on arrival, two mid session break refreshments, light buffet lunch, all printed material and after - course helpline for as long as required (no time limit)