Contacts are crucial to business success. No matter how good a service is, it won’t sell if no one knows about it. Good relationships with suppliers, customers, business partners and people who can spread the word help in every area, not just sales, but also with support in day-to-day business and beyond.
Florian Gommlich, a management coach and trainer at the German Coaching Academy in Hildesheim, acts as a sounding board for people in leadership roles. One of his particular interests is improving communication and connections between people.
In mid-August, he gave his ‘Networking well’ workshop as part of the Goslar Region Startup and Innovation Academy. Ten participants took the opportunity to improve their ability to build good, useful contacts. Practical tips and memorable exercises helped Florian Gommlich lay the foundation for better networking.
Why is effective networking important, and what does it involve? Some examples:
- Referrals nearly double the chances of winning business
- Good contacts minimize risks, compensate for weaknesses, help recruit staff and much more
- Strong networks increase competitiveness
- Small talk opens the door to deeper conversations (for example, why someone attended or views on the speakers)
- Use people’s names
- Spend two-thirds of your time at events with people you don’t know
- Thirty-second introduction:
What benefit does it offer? For whom? What do I do?
Participants found the event extremely valuable.
More dates from the Startup and Innovation Academy »
Participation is free.
