Just sell networking guide

Just sell networking guide

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  the sales managementchecklist © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  THE NETWORKING GUIDE Whatyou can do… Please enjoy downloading, printing, and reading this material. You can also forward it by email to colleagues, customers, or friends (even mail them a copy if you need to slow things down a bit). What you can’t do… Please don’t let this material go to waste. Get out of the box (your office, your computer) and make an impact as a leader. Also, please don’t sell this material or use it as a foundation for a speaking or training engagement outside of your own company. This material was created for internal use (internal to you and your company). If you’d like to promote The Networking Guide to others, we’ll love you for it. Just send them to www.JustSell.com/Tools. © 1998-2009 Give More Media 2500 Gaskins Road (804) 762-4500 Richmond, Virginia 23238 [email protected] www.JustSell.com
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  Networking is aboutcontact — contact with people. A primary business activity for anyone who drives revenue (and even those that don’t*), networking is a skill set well worth developing. In fact, it’s a necessity. And, like all other skills, it can be distilled to a few very authentic fundamentals. In the upcoming year, you’re sure to be in a networking This is your guide to the fundamentals of successful net- environment (formal or informal). It may be a tradeshow working… JustSell® style. Work it. Practice it. Improve or an association or civic meeting. It could be a national it. And work the room. sales meeting where you have an opportunity to meet Finesse points are developed with experience… by the home office people who make sure your customers doing. Nail these fundamentals and you’ll make every are served well. If you have nothing on the radar at the networking experience you’ll ever have a pleasure for moment, see what networking opportunities you can you and for everyone with whom you connect… profes- create. There’s immediate and long-term value to you sionally and personally. and those with whom you connect. It’s assured. It’s your time. It’s your event. It’s your room. (*everyone drives revenue in one way or the other) Join the thousands of Smovers* who’ve learned the simple (and fun) way to achieve better work, better relationships, and better results with the 3-minute video at SmileAndMove.com/Video be happy. do something. ™ *smover (‘smoov-er) noun: 1. a person who smiles and moves 2. someone who matters to the world, all with a smile 1 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  WELL BEFORE THEEVENT… With your particular event and its attendees in mind, prepare in writing & practice verbally delivering… � Your quick personal introduction Remember, this should be appropriate to the event, simple and clear (no value statement here). Try to use the person’s name if you know it, or look for a name tag. example Hi, Susan… I’m Bob Jones [with XYZ company, in District 7, in the forms division] � General statements or questions to help initiate a conversation (at least 3) examples How long have you been [a member of, involved with] [specific group]? What brought you out here [today, tonight]? Have you been to a [meeting type] before? What do you think of the [show, meeting, event] so far? What did you think of the last [show, meeting, event]? What do you think about [event-specific thing or event]? How do you know [speaker, organizer of the event, sponsoring group of the event]? � Open-ended questions designed to engage and learn more about someone (at least 3) examples (more on page 9) How did you get involved in...? What were you doing previously? 2 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  WELL BEFORE THEEVENT, continued With your particular event and its attendees in mind, prepare in writing & practice verbally delivering… � Your value statements (at least 2) Specific, quick & clear statements of what you sell/ do in terms of the value it delivers to others . You may never have an appropriate time to deliver these (over-the-top selling in a networking setting can turn people off), just be prepared. � Exit statements (at least 1 of each type) Statement for scheduled follow up examples Can I give you a call next week to set up a time to talk in more detail? Would you like to get together on Friday and work through the idea? Statement for graceful exit to encourage moving on examples Good meeting you. Will I see you at [other meetings]? Well that sounds exciting. Best of luck with that. I’ll let you get back to [whatever the person was doing prior to talking with you]. Enjoyed meeting you. It’s quite an event. We should probably keep moving. I enjoyed talking with you, Bob. 3 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  JUST BEFORE THEEVENT… Invest some time in developing your approach. � Set clear objectives & goals Identify specific people you want to meet or talk with. Determine how many conversations you want to initiate and the number of post-event meetings you want to schedule. � Prepare your attitude Be ready to be completely positive (no “tradeshow cynicism”) and approachable. Prepare to maintain an inquisitive mindset. Remember it’s all about them. AT THE EVENT… Maximize your time by remembering to… � Approach people proactively (and be approachable) Use your prepared and practiced introductions and initiating statements. � Engage them Send the right message physically: face the person completely, smile and be energetic. 4 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  AT THE EVENT,continued Maximize your time by remembering to… � Learn about them and when appropriate, inform them about you/ your company/ your product/ your service Ask open-ended questions. • Listen completely (without the intent to respond immediately or show your knowledge). • Allow small gaps of silence (in many cases the other person will fill them with more information - sometimes extra information that’s useful). Give the person in front of you your undivided attention. • Avoid wandering and scanning eyes (your goal is one-on-one attention). • Answer cell phone and devices when you’re no longer engaged in a conversation. Deliver your value statements (when appropriate). � Exit and move on Maintain your networking attitude to the end of the event. • Complete positive follow through (it’s show time, literally). • Rest after the event, not during it (you’re a grown-up). 5 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  AFTER THE EVENT… Objectiveself-evaluation leads to improvement. � Quickly evaluate your networking performance Review whether or not you met your objectives, and identify where you might improve. � Follow up with appropriate individuals Write a note or email as soon as possible. Phone, if appropriate. Consider adding connections within your online environments (e.g. Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). � Seek out your next event Set a target number of events to attend (once a month, quarter, etc.). Join a networking/ lead referral club. Attend one or two events a year that are out of your normal parameters (exposing you to new people who you may never have thought might be helpful). Consider attending events for parallel industries. 6 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  NETWORKING PLANNER As someonewho drives revenue (directly or indirectly), it should be your goal to know everyone by networking more. Use the prompts below to develop your approach for your next networking event. Event Date Your networking objectives Make these specific, attainable and quantitative. 1. 2. 3. 4. Personal introductions Your introduction should be appropriate to the event, simple, and clear (no value statements). 1. 2. 3. 4. Initiating statements/ questions These should be general and open-ended. Remember to be positive and listen to the other person’s response. 1. 2. 3. 4. 7 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  NETWORKING PLANNER Value statements Don’tjust describe yourself or your company. Communicate how you can help the person. 1. 2. Exit statements for follow-up Schedule a time more appropriate for in-depth conversation. 1. 2. Exit statements to move on Gracefully exit to keep circulating. 1. 2. Post-event performance evaluation After the event, review your networking performance in the following areas: approaching, initiating, learning/ informing, and exiting. What did you do well? Where could you improve? Did you meet your objectives? 8 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS Personal questions Howdid you get involved in… ? Who taught you the most about…? Who helped you get involved in…? What did you take away from the experience? What were you doing previously? How has that impacted you? With what company did you work previously? What [was, is] the biggest challenge with that? What [did, do] you enjoy most about that? What advice would you give someone else What is the best thing you learned from that? about that? Where have you learned the most about…? What are your thoughts on…? Business questions How did your company get involved in…? How does that process work now? What kind of challenges are you and your What challenges does that process create? company facing? What are the best things about that process? What’s the most important priority to you and What does everyone else at your company your company right now? think about that? How have you been handling that? With whom have you had the most success in How is that working out? the past? What effect has that had on you/ your company? What innovative [products, services] has your How did you overcome that? company introduced over the last couple years? General questions What does that mean? What concerns do you have about…? How do you mean? What other events have you found helpful to attend? How do you see that working? 9 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com
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  HOW TO REMEMBERNAMES Remembering a name immediately establishes you as someone who listens… someone who cares… two very important values in sales and life. Here’s how... 1. Give full attention (focus) Make a conscious effort to listen and remember. Introduce yourself first so you can give your full attention to others. Focus on physical characteristics to form a detailed impression. 2. Repeat the name Repeat the name silently to yourself. Say the name within 20 seconds of the introduction to confirm it’s correct. Use the name again mid- conversation. Repeat the name when saying goodbye. Write it down after leaving. 3. Make an association Imagine writing the name with your fingers while saying it silently to yourself (using very small movements so you don’t draw attention to your hand). Connect the name with a famous person or image. Imagine a Jerry as sports agent Jerry Maguire or a Marilyn as Marilyn Monroe. Come up with a rhyme or alliteration associated with a physical attribute, unusual feature or overall impression of the person (Bob is a slob… Dave needs to shave… Tall Tonya… Frank’s flat forehead). Picture the name written (in your favorite color) on the person’s forehead – a favorite trick of President Roosevelt (FDR), who, according to CNN, amazed his staff by remembering the names of nearly everyone he met. 10 | the networking guide © 2009 Give More Media (804) 762-4500 www.JustSell.com