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

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

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

7. But why can’t we just
TEXT ?

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

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

12. SCREAM OUT YOUR ANSWERS1.
WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
SCREAM OUT YOUR ANSWERS

13. 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

14. 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)

17. Face your fears, then move ahead…

18. Networking in Three Easy Stages
Approach
Prepare
Behave

19. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. EXERCISE
ELEVATOR SPEECHES

24. 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

25. EXERCISE
REPORT OUTS

26. 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

27. 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

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

29. COCKTAIL PARTY NETWORKING EVENT
EXERCISE
COCKTAIL PARTY NETWORKING EVENT

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

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

32. 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

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

34. Linkedin.com/in/jayabohlmann
Thank you
Network with me!
Linkedin.com/in/jayabohlmann