Business Networking
Background & Objectives
The Trades Union Congress: TUC invited Impact Factory to deliver a Professional Business Networking programme. The programme was for a diverse group of professionals with varying levels of confidence and experience in networking environments. Networking in a professional business context can be challenging as many participants expressed hesitation and discomfort with the idea of networking. They described it as daunting, tedious, and filled with uncertainty.
The objective of the networking programme was to demystify business networking strategies. It aimed to reframe them as purposeful, enjoyable activities grounded in authenticity and curiosity. The course aimed to equip participants with practical tools, language, and behaviours. This would make networking feel more natural and effective in the realm of professional business networking.
Networking Programme Overview
The session was highly interactive and reflective. It used real-time practice and peer conversation to explore attitudes towards networking and develop techniques for building effective business relationships. The day was designed not as a one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, it was an opportunity for participants to uncover what works for them. They were encouraged to stretch their comfort zones in a supportive setting.
From entering a conversation to following up meaningfully, every aspect of professional business networking was explored. This was done through activities that encouraged laughter, openness, and experimentation.
Key Content Areas
- Authenticity and Curiosity:
- Approaching conversations with genuine interest and clear purpose, crucial for effective professional networking.
- Confidence and Body Language:
- Entering and exiting conversations with ease are key factors in professional business networking, helping build presence and rapport
- Setting Clear Goals:
- Identifying personal objectives for networking and aligning them with purposeful action can enhance professional networking success.
- Listening and Engagement:
- Practising deep, focused listening and the art of asking great questions.
- Sustaining Connections:
- Following up with impact, offering value, and maintaining professional relationships, is integral to successful business networking.
Participants were also introduced to the PREP framework (Point, Reason, Example, Point). This helped to structure their communication with clarity and confidence.
Desired Outcomes
- Increased confidence in networking scenarios within the professional business setting
- A personal toolkit of strategies for effective and enjoyable networking
- Better understanding of how to build rapport and maintain professional relationships, a key part of professional networking
- A reframed view of professional business networking as purposeful, authentic, and rewarding
See What We Can Do For You
If you like what you’ve seen and would like to know more please contact our team.
Witnessing our group – seeing how everyone shared their experiences, collaborated in the activities to find the techniques that worked for them and overcome their fears was genuinely empowering. And I’m sure even some of our smoothest operators might even pick up a few tips – who knew how to “ride the waiter”!?
We will be doing some more of this in the new year.
I recently attended an in-house training course on Business Networking organised by Tanya Warlock. I was not sure what to expect from the training but it turned to be one of the best trainings yet.
I came in the room expecting the usual classroom setting but was surprised at not seeing any tables, and I thought, what is happening here! I was welcomed by a bubbly facilitator who introduced herself as Katherine (not Kate she said) and also introduced her colleague, Naina.
As the facilities support officer, I have to interact with suppliers and other service providers, so I was really keen in developing and acquiring new skills in the industry. We were taught how to politely join and exit groups, building one’s confidence from a scale of 2-10, how your trust can lead to intimacy (bond), reliability and credibility etc. Another thing that I learned was that, when you disturb or break-into a small group chatting or having a conversation, you have broken the bond of the intimacy. The small group exercises made us to learn more about social interactions as well.
Our colleagues who were part of my session made it so easy to enjoy as well. There was no dull moment as everyone had to communicate with each other, sharing their knowledge and wealth of experiences.
Truly, learning never comes to state of inertia. Whatever your training plans are this year, do include ‘Business Networking’, I promise you will never be the same again.
