U of M Entrepreneurship Club: Quick Network Tactic

Ann Ulrich came to speak with the University of Minnesota's Entrepreneurship Club (www.ceomakers.com).  She briefly hit on a lot of great points, but the one that I took away was a fantastic tip to effective networking.

Here are a few things that she said:

1. Be approachable and dress for the occasion. Whether it is a networking event, an association meeting, or an event that brings together people from all over, your goal is to be presentable and not to give the wrong impression.
   
2. Get past the small talk! Forget the dumb questions and go straight for the important stuff: what is your business? Who do you market to?  If I met your perfect customer tomorrow, what would he or she look like, be like, and do?  How did you get to where you are now?
   
3. The Trade. In order to create a strong relationship, you must expect to make "the trade".  Ask about them, their business, their role, who THEY are.  Then, ask questions about how you can benefit their business, where they may need help for growing their business.  Find a way to make a good relationship.  Then make action: give them referrals, leads, and pass along some great information that is pertinent to his or her industry.  After you do this, you will help build your relationship, which will of course benefit you and your business, or even just yourself.
   

She also discussed to focus on one good networking relationship, and work from there.  Try to develop and work at one good relationship through leads, referrals, advice, and great information that may have come your way.