FEAR NO MORE Becoming a Poised, Confident Networker Jaya K FEAR NO MORE Becoming a Poised, Confident Networker Jaya K. Bohlmann, MA, APR

JAYA K. BOHLMANN Jaya K Bohlmann is an award-winning marketing communication leader with more than 20 years experience as a senior advisor to global corporationsl and nonprofit organizations. Operating at the critical juncture of communication and engagement, Jaya builds brands and reputations from the inside out. Functions Executive communication Crisis and issues management Change management Media relations Digital and social media Employee engagement Public Affairs Stakeholder engagement MA, Communication MSMOB, Organization Behavior/Business BS, Journalism APR, Public Relations Boards Organization Development Network Public Relations Society of America Community Uplift Projects, Int’l Markets Food, Nutrition Wellness, Health Healthcare Retail, CPG Government Global nonprofit Entertainment Technology

What is Networking? Meeting and getting to know people who are willing to share with you career information and advice Building ongoing relationships to exchange information and advice Following up and maintaining contact with those who have assisted you

Networking is NOT: Asking for a job Collecting business cards Randomly passing out resumes USING PEOPLE Self promotion Pitching a product or company Selling

Business is still all about who you know WHY is networking important? Business is still all about who you know

Benefits of Networking Friendship Opportunities Advice Assistance Promotion Community Links Introductions Troubleshooting/Problem solving Business leads Influence Confidence Satisfaction

But why can’t we just TEXT ?

A business requirement… Interpersonal communication is a critical business success factor Strong interpersonal communication skills are cited by Fortune 500 companies as key to service and information companies

Interpersonal communication is an exchange of information between two or more people. It is also an area of study. Communication skills are developed and may be enhanced or improved with increased knowledge and practice. During interpersonal communication there is message sending and message receiving.

But why can’t we just TEXT? Relationship building really begins when you meet offline. Social media for introductions, staying in touch… Must include the FACE TO FACE in the networking mix. Communication is: 55% body language 38% tone 7% words

If you want to communicate with humans… Networking via technology does not fully communicate who we are nor leverage this important business skill interpersonally.

SCREAM OUT YOUR ANSWERS 1. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? SCREAM OUT YOUR ANSWERS

Most Common Networking Fears Meeting strangers Not saying the right things Having to talk about yourself Making a fool of yourself Getting stuck with the wrong people Not being interesting

What are we afraid of? 89 total fears in 10 domains Categories related to networking (daily life, judgment, personal fears) Public speaking (#26), Ridicule (# 75 ) Talking to strangers (#79) Appearance: dress, age, gender, race (#s 82-89) Dismissed by others (#69) Expressing opinion (#77) Dying (#43)

Face your fears, then move ahead…

Networking in Three Easy Stages Approach Prepare Behave

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity

Prepare Do your homework Who will be there? How can I help them and vice versa? Set specific goals Who do you want to meet and talk to? What information do you want to gain? What impression do you want to make? Who do you want to be remembered by? Know your ELEVATOR speeches… Grab interest

ELEVATOR SPEECHES ELEVATOR The Problem you are solving + Your Solution + Some staggering fact about the market or something amazing you've accomplished 60 seconds: what do I do 30 seconds: Q&A HANDSHAKE The Problem you are solving + Your Solution + Some staggering fact about the market or something amazing you've accomplished 20 seconds No Q&A DRIVE BY Bottom line up front 8 seconds Have 5-6 ready to go

EXAMPLES ELEVATOR The Problem you are solving + Your Solution + Some staggering fact about the market or something amazing you've accomplished 60 seconds: what do I do 30 seconds: Q&A HANDSHAKE The Problem you are solving + Your Solution + Some staggering fact about the market or something amazing you've accomplished 20 seconds No Q&A DRIVE BY Bottom line up front 8 seconds Have 5-6 ready to go

EXERCISE ELEVATOR SPEECHES

EXERCISE - SMITH BUCKLIN ELEVATOR The Problem you are solving + Your Solution + Some staggering fact about the market or something amazing you've accomplished 60 seconds: what do I do 30 seconds: Q&A HANDSHAKE The Problem you are solving + Your Solution + Some staggering fact about the market or something amazing you've accomplished 20 seconds No Q&A DRIVE BY Bottom line up front Have 5-6 ready to go

EXERCISE REPORT OUTS

Approach Be of service and help to others Listen more than you talk Be ready to contribute Perfection is not necessary Use business cards for contact information only Be authentic Be confident and calm

Behaviors Read the room Take a friend – or not Don’t hang out only with people you know Take a pen and notepad Remember names Project enthusiasm and energy Befriend the well connected Find someone standing alone Food or bar lines Don’t drink Start conversations Don’t make it all about you Give yourself time to recharge Follow up

Conversation STarters Say hello Compliments News of the day The event Ask for advice

COCKTAIL PARTY NETWORKING EVENT EXERCISE COCKTAIL PARTY NETWORKING EVENT

EXERCISE 2: Networker 4: Group already in conversation Networker breaks in, starts and maintains conversation. Start with: GOALS

SURPRISING, INTERESTING, NEW…. REPORT OUTS SURPRISING, INTERESTING, NEW….

Key Takeways Face to face networking is critical (social media can help set it up, stay in touch, follow up) Use the three stages for every networking opportunity: Prepare, Approach, Behave Be aware – networking happens daily Be confident and calm Be yourself Show up

Go… you never know who you might meet. Margaret Koilpillai

Linkedin.com/in/jayabohlmann Thank you Network with me! jaya.bohlmann@gmail.com 202 344 5488 Linkedin.com/in/jayabohlmann