The document provides 10 tips for improving networking skills. It advises to examine existing networks and resources for potential, choose networking groups where you can contribute value, communicate substance over style through listening and questions, be proactive in starting conversations at events instead of waiting for others, balance talking and asking questions in conversations, quickly exit poor matches but linger in good conversations, follow up with new connections to turn them into long-term relationships, and build honest and mutually beneficial relationships. The overall goal is to generate more business opportunities through an expanded network.

1. 10 Ways to Improve Your
Networking Skills
Brazil
Business Strategist Roberto Lico
licoreis@licoreis.com.br

2. Much of business opportunities are about making connections.
To build your pipeline and reach potential new clients and
business you wouldn't normally get access to, it's essential to
always be expanding your network. Here are some tips to help
you improve your networking skills.

3. Take a close look at the network and resources that you
already have in place. Don't overlook the hidden
potential that is all around you. Creating new
opportunities from pre-existing ones is the most
elemental of networking skills.

4. You can network anywhere, with anyone. When looking
for organizations to join to help you build your
relationships and connections, choose groups where you
can make a contribution and will be interested in what is
going on.

5. Communicating your message is a means of gaining
credibility that is best accomplished through substance,
not style. Listening and asking questions helps you build
rapport and trust. Practice your communications until
you feel confident that your message will come across as
genuine and unscripted.

6. Most of us can't just show up at an event, stand around,
and expect people to come up and talk to us. Be
proactive and start conversations with others. This does
not mean you have to be the center of attention and the
life of the party. Simply be yourself and the rest will fall
into place.

7. Keep the conversation fresh and interesting. Balance the
amount that you talk with the amount the other person
is talking and ask open-ended questions.

8. Exit quickly from conversations that aren't good matches.
When you find good conversations with people who
could be the right fit, don't be too quick to leave. A few
rich conversations and good new connections can make
for a very successful event.

9. When it comes to networking, knowing what not to do is
as important as knowing what to do.

10. No matter which method you choose, follow up is crucial
to your networking effort. Follow up turns a casual
contact made at a meeting, party, or event into a
potential long-term relationship.

11. In the end, networking is all about building relationships
that are honest, sincere, and of value to both parties. As
you work to stay in touch, try to develop relationships
that benefit the other party as much as they do you.
Build relationships for the long term.

12. The best part about building relationships is that
whatever you put in comes back to you. More and better
relationships mean a greater likelihood of generating
leads that you can convert into great opportunities for
your business.

14. LRCL – Business Services Consulting
Roberto Lico – licoreis@licoreis.com.br

15. LRCL – Business Services Consulting
Information – licoreis@licoreis.com.br
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