Networking is a critical skill for building relationships, making connections and growing business. Being well organized is about more than just having a tidy desk. There are ways to organize to improve your networking process and increase the return on the time and money you spend on networking activities.

Debbie will be speaking on “Networking Effectively” for the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday March 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm at the University House in Issaquah.

Below are a few tips for being more organized and realizing more effective returns on your networking activity. Join Debbie on March 10th to learn more about how to network in an organized and effective way, to maximize your efforts and get results. To attend the luncheon, email Michele Kliemann at mkliemann@salmondays.org.

Make time before an event to prepare.

• Set clear goals about what you want to get out of the event, the type of person you hope to meet and the message you want to share.
• Prepare yourself to attend the event by restocking your supply of business cards, charge your mobile device and take a pen.
• Prepare and practice a 1-minute “commercial” – Who are you? What do you do? Who is your target client?

Be organized in your data collection during an event.

• Write trigger words on the back of someone’s card to refresh your memory later.  Did you learn someone shares your love of skiing? Write “skiing” as your trigger word.  This will help re-establish the connection when you follow up later.
• Make sure you have a way to store cards and/or collect electronic information during the event.
• Jot down verbal commitments you make and add them to your task list.

Make time soon after an event to process.

• Update your contacts files with new contacts and scan or file business cards.
• Update your task list with commitments made during the event or follow-up activities.
• Review your original goals and measure your success. Did you get out of the event what you hoped? Is there anything you would do differently next time?

For more information about this event visit the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce events page.