Networking and Next Steps What is networking Networking

Networking and Next Steps • What is networking? Ø Networking is a connection or interaction with people to develop contacts or exchange information • Why is networking important to me as a manager? Ø Ability to meet others in a professional environment to open new opportunities Ø High unemployment – many looking for new opportunities Ø Career development should not be only when you are looking for a new job

Networking and Next Steps • Know when to network – ALL the time! • Important for newly hired or recently promoted employees Ø Understand who does what in the organization Ø Can help with future projects Ø Further career development within the organization • Spend time networking early on in your career, it may help you later! Ø Today’s executives spend on average 1 hour per week networking • Networking is for everyone and is important in career development

Networking and Next Steps • Don’t just hand out business cards to network, explore opportunities • Build you network and get to know your customers! • Time spent early networking can help in the future with: ü Solve problems ü Leverage resources ü Achieve success

Exercise Networking in the classroom Purpose - To stress the importance of networking, conversation starter, and ice breaker. Directions - Start at one end of the room and ask the following questions as the moderator: Go around the group introduce yourself. Name of your employer. Share a particular passion. Move on to the next person, but before the next person can start, they must repeat what person 1 said. Move on to the 3 rd person in line, they must repeat what person 1 and 2 said. Continue on and encourage classroom support when someone stumbles. If the group is large, begin to cutoff 3 -4 members behind the current speaker (i. e. if person 9 is up, have them begin with person 5 and so on). Once you have gone around the room or completed with the group, ask the audience: "What did you learn from this exercise? " (usually jokes about someones passions come up). As you consider your current career position, and your goal to complete your MBA, how important is it that you meet and network with the individuals in this room? Do we have any competitors in the room? Limit the discussions to 5 -10 minutes after completion of the exercise. Stress that networking should begin NOW. You will be spending much time with the people in this room and you don't know where you will be in 10 -20 years. Networking is important regardless of your current career situation.