Interop Academy - June 17th, 16:00-16:30 Today’s world technologies are well connected, yet most business people don’t take advantage of it in their business networking. There are a few simple, yet effective hacks that can take sky-rocket our business networking. In this interactive session we will: - Demonstrate several powerful business networking hacks and tips. - Explain networking techniques and technology tools that make business networking easier. - Present a few effective ways to meet people and to build lasting relationships, designed to grow a business. Whether we want to meet people in business or social context, these techniques will help us make a bigger professional impact on the people we meet.

1. BUSINESS NETWORKING HACKS
IN TODAY’S CONNECTED WORLD
Marian Gazdik

2. LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF
• Director, Startup Grind London (TED for Startups)
• Premium business networking events in Europe and Silicon Valley
• Startup advisor, mentor at Virgin Startup

3. AGENDA
• Networking Basics and the Science of Social Proof
• How to Decide Whom to Meet
• Prepare Well
• Meet People the Right Way
• Work your Magic
• Follow Up to Get Results
• Advanced Tips
• Questions?

4. NETWORKING BASICS
• Be polite – Say ‘Hi’ to the organiser, Introduce yourself / others
• Introduce yourself – with confidence, prepare your pitch
• Remember names – stop, associate, take a snapshot
• Don’t pitch too early – relate and connect first
• Be pro-active – meet new people, look for opportunities
• Enter social circles from the top

5. WHOM TO MEET
• Do your research beforehand
• Set your objectives
• Remind yourself of your objectives before you enter
• Look around for interesting people
• Ask to be introduced

6. PREPARE WELL
• Research the event (google) and its attendees (linkedin)
• Make a list of people you want to meet, create notes with
their bio and photo (evernote)
• Prepare a few conversation topics, esp. non business related
• Write down a few interesting questions you have for them
• Define ideal outcomes of your key interactions
Recommended tools: Google, Linkedin, Evernote

7. MEET PEOPLE THE RIGHT WAY
• Get introduced to people you want to meet
• Alternatively impress them with your proactive approach
• Greet them like you greet your good friends
• Make a lasting first impression
• Give a genuine positive compliment
• Have a few interesting conversation starters or questions ready

8. WORK YOUR NETWORKING MAGIC
• Meet and greet the organiser, enter the top of the circle
• Before you do anything else: relate and connect
• Don’t brag – let others or your work results praise you
• Offer help first (even a small favour), expect nothing in return
• Decide if you want to stay in touch and ‘build a bridge’
• Connect and finish on a high note
Recommended tools: Linkedin, Twitter

9. FOLLOW UP TO GET RESULTS
• Follow through: recreate the moment and reconnect
• ALWAYS give value first - expect nothing in return
• Before you meet, make sure it is worth your time
• Take small steps first: phone call, quick meeting, lunch/dinner
• When no response – reconnect (boomerang plug-in)
• Still no response – lower the frequency
Recommended tools: Linkedin, Email, Boomerang, Phone

10. ADVANCED TIPS
• Perfect your pitch
• Pay attention to your body language: hand shake, eye
contact, posture, touch
• Be relaxed, yet focused
• Listen more that you talk, yet steer the conversation
• Compliment genuinely
• Look proactively for ways to help

11. QUESTIONS?
Marian Gazdik
StartupGrind.com/London
Marian@StartupGrind.com
Follow me:
@MGazdik
or @StartupGrindLD

12. BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
• Give value regularly
• Be the one who knows
• Connect on several levels – hobbies, children, common
friends
• Use informal opportunities – grab coffee, lunch
• Share invites to interesting events
• Value your word, don’t over-promise.