Slides from my Introduction To Networking workshop in Santa Rosa during Small Business Week 2024. Networking can be simple when you understand your value and can clearly articulate who you are and what you do.

1. Introduction to
Networking
Presenter: Jerome Dees Jr
Sonoma County Library & Sonoma SBDC.

2. Welcome

3. My name is Jerome & I am
the owner of Dees Partners
3

4. My name is Jerome & I help businesses and individuals who are
looking to sell more, develop strong networking skills and who
aim to create strategic goals, I am the owner of Dees Partners.
4

5. Who Is Jerome Dees Jr?
Managing Partner of Dees Partners
The Oaks Conference Center 1996-2003
Owner of Dees Catering/Effortless Catering
Regional Sales Manager @ ENRGI 2006-2014
VP of Sales @ Le Boulanger 2014-2019
VP of Sales w/ Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
Podcast on Itunes “Growing & Excelling w/ Jerome”
Board Member for The College of Adaptive Arts
Named 1 of the most influential executives in the country by NRN 2021 & 2022
5

6. Jump Up & Meet 1 New Person & Introduce Yourself!

7. 9,090,000,000 (0.42 seconds)
Results for “Business Networking” On Google

8. Our
Goals
▸ SCORE with Networking
▸ Understanding Your Value
▸ Digital Networking & Your Online Persona
▸ Start Mastering Your Introduction
▸ Holding A Conversation
▸ Elevator Pitch

9. Do You Want To Be Sold To?

10. What
Are
Your
Goals!?

11. Networking
Can
Be
Complex
Introduction
Body Language
Eye Contact
Tone & Pitch
Confidence

12. Your Introduction Is Crucial
So Why Do Most People Struggle?

13. Let’s Create An Introduction
My Name Is and I:
a) Responsibility or Value Number 1
b) Responsibility or Value Number 2
c) Responsibility or Value Number 3
I am a (Your Title Here) with (Your Company Name Here)

14. Share An Intro That Conveys Value First

15. How Often
Should You
Network?!

16. S
C
O
R
E
Social Networking Is Vital
Center Your Focus On The Other Person
Own Who You Are & Understand Your Value
Remember What You Hear and Act On It
Elevator Pitch

17. S
C
O
R
E
Social Networking Is Vital
People Will Search For You…
Use Social Media That Is Organic For You!
What Will Be Found On Your Google Search?

18. S
C
O
R
E
Social Networking Is Vital
Personal Vs Professional
Is Your Content Up To Date? Appropriate?
The Internet Is Forever

19. Jerome Dees Jr

20. S
C
O
R
E
Take Photos & Tag People
3,643 Views On LinkedIn (I had maybe 800 connections)

21. You Never
Know What
Can
Happen!

22. LinkedIn

23. LinkedIn
Strategies
LinkedIn Is A Powerful Networking Tool
Write Articles
Comment On Posts To Add Value
Connect, Connect, Connect!
Post Consistently & Experiment
Become A Top Voice

24. Add Me On LinkedIn!
LinkedIn
Strategies

25. Where Can I
Find Quality
Events To
Attend?!

26. S
C
O
R
E
Center Your Focus On The Other Person
Don’t Sell When Networking!
Networking IS Selling
60 to 80% of Selling is Listening…
Stories Are A Great Way To Communicate
Listening = Learning

27. Remember To
Tell Your Best
Stories!

28. S
C
O
R
E
Keep Your Focus Positive

29. Simple
Way To
Start A
Convo!
Present Past Future

30. Breakout Session
Practice Present, Past, Future

31. Nurture
Your
Network
Networking Take Various Forms!
Who Is In Your Network?!

32. S
C
O
R
E
Own Who You Are & Understand Your Value
What is your value to others?
May not be what you think it is…
Not always seen by the other person!
Ask Those Around You!

33. S
C
O
R
E
Seriously, Ask People Around You!
Text Or Call People You Trust
“What Am I Good At” & What Can I Work On?

34. S
C
O
R
E
Remember What You Hear And Act On It!
Who Was The Last Person Who Helped You?
You make an impression when you help!
What If Our Networking Goal Was To help?!
My LinkedIn Post...

35. What Can You Do To Help Me?

36. S
C
O
R
E
Elevator Pitch
How do you concisely communicate value?
What do you say?!
How do you ask for their business?!
Could you do it right now??

37. S
C
O
R
E
Elevator Pitch
My Name Is and I:
a) Responsibility or Value Number 1
b) Responsibility or Value Number 2
c) Responsibility or Value Number 3
I am a (Your Title Here) with (Your Company Name Here)
I know that your team is currently…
And I know I can assist by offering Solution ABC.
Can you help me understand the best way to connect and discuss more?

38. Anyone Want To Give Their

39. Running
Away
From
Those
People

40. We Made A
Connection
Now What?!

41. Did
We
Do
It?
▸ SCORE with Networking
▸ Understanding Your Value
▸ Digital Networking & Your Online Persona
▸ Start Mastering Your Introduction
▸ Holding A Conversation
▸ Elevator Pitch

42. Questions?

43. Thank You!
LinkedIn: /in/SpeakerDees/
Instagram: SpeakerDees
Facebook: SpeakerDees
TikTok: SpeakerDees
Website: DeesPartners.com