Networking Skills

Course Content

All professionals have a network, whether they focus on it actively or not. For some it is a source of specialist advice or a resource that can help them to meet their clients' needs. For others it is the source of new clients.

This course explains the key skills needed to make the most of a network, expand it, and ensure that it meets career and business needs. Practical exercises and activities make it easy for any professional to put the sound advise into practice.

Networking Skills enables learners to:

• Understand the purpose of networking and the skill sets involved
• Improve the core skills needed for building relationships
• Research and plan conversations effectively
• Make the most of conversations with existing or potential members of their network
• Manage and administer their network effectively
• Develop their network over time as their objectives change
• Understand how to keep their network under control

Target audience

This course is designed to appeal to people in all functions at all levels.

Those who are less experienced may not have considered these topics before and will find significant improvements in the way they operate and in their overall effectiveness.

More experienced or senior people will value the opportunity to spend time on these critical issues discreetly.

Learning outcomes

What is networking?

• What is networking?
• Why should I network?
• What skills do I need to network effectively?

Developing your network

• Who should I include in my network?
• How do I find new contacts?
• How do I plan to network?

Having conversations

• How can I start or join a conversation?
• What can I do to make sure people remember me?
• What should I talk about?
• How do I move on from a conversation?
• How should I prepare for specific events?
• What do I do after the conversation is over?

Building relationships

• How often should I contact my contacts?
• How do I keep my contacts happy?
• How do I network within my organisation?

Managing and using your network

• How do I use my network?
• What technology can help me?
• How do I keep my network under control?
• What do I need to remember going forward?

Flexible learning

Learners take their own route through the topics covered in the course. They will learn at their own pace through a variety of activities designed to accommodate a range of learning styles.

Duration

3 hours