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Effective Networking Skills

Introduction

We all admire people who seem so at ease at business meetings or social gatherings, mingling around with strangers, chatting confidently with people whom they have met for the first time? These people exude confidence and charisma, and are able to engage in conversations so comfortably.

The good news is one can learn to network and build social relationships just as they learn ABC at school. One can become a Master Communicator and interact successfully with hard work and continuous practice. Often, networking is a skill that is not emphasised until one meets a road block in one’s social ladder and a slow down effect appears in one’s job prospects.

Objectives

  • To provide greater understanding of the dynamics of communication specific to networking. Effective communication is like water – a lifeline. It is an increasingly scarce resource and expensive to deliver in good condition.
  • To help people become more confident and assured. Enhance listening skills and come across as credible and charismatic. To speak with clarity, and transmit a message, idea or instruction in an acceptable manner.
  • To give people improved influencing skills especially with experts and those in positions of authority. For this to become an asset preparation and presentation are crucial.
  • To understand different cultures, different business and social ethics and become sensitive to working in varied cultural environments without destabilising the company’s vision and goals.
  • To use body language to your advantage and express yourself interestingly. Be well groomed, well mannered and affable so that first appearances are favourable.
  • To meet people as though you knew them all your life, make an unforgettable entrance and work the gathering like a successful politician. Use humour and intelligent small talk to leave a lasting impression.

Content

This workshop will attempt to build on the strengths that participants have and to develop their own successful personalities and fine-tune already existing skills. It will also attempt to understand what prevents them from networking effectively, and what their pitfalls are as well as what cause them to feel wrong-footed.

  • Definition & Purpose of Networking
  • Effective Communication

–    Cultural Beliefs and Values

–    Talking to Anyone: Icebreaking Statements and Elevator Speech

–    Language -  body, verbal, vocal, tonal qualities

–    Listening

–    Perceptions & Prejudices

  • Achieving Success in a Conversation

–    Starting a conversation

–    Engaging in conversation

–    Ending a conversation

  • Managing Sensitive Situations
  • Business Norms and Practices in Different Cultures:

–    Concept of time, hierarchy and dress codes

–    Persistent attention and pursuit

–    Arrangement of meetings

Course Methodology

This workshop will incorporate mini-lectures with many interesting and practical activities such as games, hands-on role plays, fun drills, group discussions, etc

Course Duration: 2 days