10 Ways To Network

1. Carry cards

Never go anywhere without your business cards. Make sure your card clearly says what it is you do.

2. Join things

It almost doesn't matter what you join as long as it's an organisation where the people you want to meet tend to congregate.

3. Volunteer

Whatever you join, become active. Become a committee member; create opportunities for people to need to talk to you.

4. Ask Questions

When you attend events, make sure you're one of the first to ask the speaker a good question; it gets you noticed.

5. Look the part

Dress to look successful in your field. You do not have to wear a grey suit. Women have more scope - use it!

6. Wear a badge

Most networking events kit you out with a name badge. Why not have your own badge made? It makes you more noticeable and easier to approach.

7. Shake hands

Always greet people with a smile and a firm but not too tight handshake. Look them in they eye as you say hello; you'll appear confident.

8. Listen

The art of networking is to encourage the person you're meeting to share their views, hopes, needs and wants. Talk about them not you.

9. Move on

Don't spend the entire event with one person. To move on without seeming rude, hold their arm as you make your excuse to move; for some reason this always makes it seem OK.

10. Take notes

Take a moment to record what you've said, heard or promised to do; otherwise you'll have forgotten by tomorrow morning.

Networking is like a savings account - you have to make several deposits before you can hope to gain interest and make a withdrawal...

© Pearson Education Limited 2004 Extract from The Entrepreneurs Book Of Checklists by Robert Ashton