Carole Stone, chairman of YouGovStone and winner of the Best-Connected Woman in Britain title, offers her 10 essential tips for effective business networking
Whether you are a sole trader, an entrepreneur or just starting up, networking isn't just an add-on, it's an essential. You should put aside time, even if it's just one evening a week, to keep in touch with people by phone or, even better, face-to-face. Networking is fundamental – apart from the business opportunities that come along, it keeps us human.
We all experience many of the same problems whether it's in our professional or our personal lives. Being able to share those experiences and coping mechanisms helps us to move forward. Good networking is all about making the most of the people you meet to your mutual advantage.
There's no question that being well connected has helped my business grow, bringing new opportunities to bid for work or learn about ideas that help me expand my horizons. I have more than 40,000 contacts on my database. Here are my tips:
1 Keep your contacts book updated
It's hard work but I keep up-to-date notes on anyone I like or find interesting – including notes on events such as promotions or bereavements.
2 Take time to nurture people
Remember important events that are happening to your contacts or if you hear that something has happened to them. If you know someone is just starting a new job or has a hospital appointment try to drop him or her an email.
3 Arrange a salon - it's a great way to network
A salon is where you invite a small group of people for an informal networking breakfast, lunch or evening. Try it once a week for four weeks – same date, same time, same place. It only needs to last an hour and a half.
4 Use your business cards sparingly
When you do use them, make sure they're handy. People will lose the will to live if you rummage around trying to find them.
5 Put the power in your hands
If you really want to keep in touch with someone make sure you get their contact details – even if you risk a snub. Better risk a snub than leave without that contact.
6 Follow through with a contact within 24 hours
Before people forget who you are, invite them to a salon if you've started one or a meeting over a coffee. On the whole, though, people don't have time for lots of coffees therefore meeting people in a group, say at a salon, is often easier.
7 If you miss seeing someone, send them a note…
… saying something like: "I know we were both at the IoD conference yesterday, sorry not to see you." There's always a way to make up for it. Don't feel all is lost if you missed seeing somebody.
8Always be generous with your contacts
You can't give away the private email addresses of Michael Palin or David Cameron but you can say, drop me an email and I will forward it to them with a note.
9 Take an interest in people all the time…
… not just when you need them. My mother once told me that if I take an interest in people then they will be interested in me and we'll get a conversation going.
10 Look after people at an event
If you are talking to someone and realise you want to see somebody else the rudest thing to do is say goodbye because you'll leave them on their own in a room. Tell them you want to meet that other person and invite them to come with you.
