Business Networking

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Business Relations/Networking

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Networking

• Is practice of making contact and exchanging
  information with other people who have interests
  in similar areas.
• Networking is one of the most important
  business skills you can have in todays age.

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Networking Day-to-Day

• As a business professional you need to network
  day-to-day.
• Building and maintaining relationships with
  friends is important too.
• Having contacts in the professional field and
  from high school and college is important with
  networking.

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Ways to Network

• This can even be done through Facebook, twitter,
  linkedin, meetups or emails.
• Make efforts to reach out and meet new people in
  person or online.
• Be active and participate in social and/or
  extracurricular activities.
• Getting involved with community service, student
  groups, etc.

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Elevator Pitch

• Elevator pitches are relaxed and informal part of
  networking.
• Always state your current projects and its good
  to include what youre currently working on
  because they may know somebody that can help.

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Staying Ahead of the Game

• Younger professionals need to be sure to
  emphasize the wiliness to learn and receive
  direction, when they network.
• People are willing to help if you only ask.
• Educate yourself in your areas of interest.
• Keep well informed with whats going on in your
  field of interest.
• News, blogs, RSS feed

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Staying Ahead of the Game Cont.

• Seek ways to help others accomplish goals while
  they help you accomplish yours
• Hang out at the locations that the people you
  need to know hang out
• Example Attend trade shows, meetings, etc

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Networking Cont

• If you are starting your own business, research
  competition and pay close attention to whom they
  are partnered with.
• Facebook and LinkedIn are the most common ways to
  network online with other professionals.
• Consider joining the virtual world of networking.

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Networking Online

• Do not post personal information like your
  address
• Exercise extreme caution.
• Be mindful of what you post online.
• Start a business account for both Facebook
  LinkedIn with a professional name.
• Simple ways to start add all the groups that
  relate to an area you think will help you reach
  your goals.
• ?

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Networking online Cont

• Write a personal note to the head of the groups
  and in a sentence or two let them know what
  youre about and what you are looking to
  accomplish and your support.
• Example Thanks for joining ________ group. Im
  graduating from college next year but am working
  to get into this field. Keep up your commendable
  efforts and please let me know if I can help out
  in any way. Your Name. By the way do you have
  any suggestions for someone looking to get into
  this field?
• Make sure to have your elevator pitch ready to
  respond to questions on these sites.
• Be real. Dont pretend to be an expert . . . let
  them know your starting to look into this field.
  People naturally want to help others.
• Continue to add people to your network and keep
  in touch from time-to-time by sending them
  relevant news or other information.

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Mentors

• Mentorship is a relationship with a person that
  is experienced in the field or area you seek help
  in.
• Most mentorships build over time and many years.
• A mentor can help with trying to get you a job,
  promotion, starting a business or even advice on
  personal stuff youre trying to figure out

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Finding a mentor

• Decide what your goals are and what type of
  mentor will help you get there.
• Think about the skills youd like to develop and
  locate mentors that can help you develop those
  skills.
• Where to find a mentor
• Remember this is a long-term goal to find the
  right mentor . .
• College alumni organizations . . . ask career
  center.
• Professional organizations in your field
• Social networking
• Friends of friends or family
• Through an internship
• A boss or employer

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Trusted Advisors

• It is important to work with trusted, reputable
  and established professional within any given
  field.
• Many financial planners, investment bankers,
  Realtors, loan officers and other financial
  professionals often work off of commission and
  may not give the best advice.

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Trusted Advisors Cont.

• Overtime, you will build a team of trusted
  professionals
• College planner
• Tax planner the tax code has over 15,000 pages
  . . . either learn them all or find a
  professional to do your taxes.
• Lawyer
• Financial coach, advisor or professional
• Realtor mortgage professional if you plan on
  purchasing a home.

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Questions to Ask Potential Advisors

• How many years have you been in your respective
  field?
• Are you knowledgeable in real estate matters?
• What are your fees and how do you get paid?
• What credentials do you have?
• What professional boards do you belong to?
• Have you ever had any disciplinary action?
• What is your past experience?

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Questions to Ask Potential Advisors

• What other services do you offer?
• How many years experience do you have?
• What credentials do you have?
• Do you invest your own money in the stocks or
  funds youre recommending? (If not, why not?)
• What professional boards do you belong to?
• Have you ever had any disciplinary action?
• What other services do you offer?

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