Effective Verbal Communication Skills in Networking 101
Enhance your networking abilities by identifying key verbal communication skills, learning the importance of networking, and generating ideas for effective networking in various aspects of life. Explore traits of effective and ineffective communicators, understand the significance of active listening, and prepare for successful conversations. Join this insightful session for personal development and CPE credits.
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Presentation Transcript
Networking 101 Boz Bostrom, CPA Professor of Accounting and Finance College of Saint Benedict and Saint John s University bbostrom@csbsju.edu / (612) 414-9629 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bozbostrom/ June 27, 2024 1
Logistics Polling questions throughout the meeting Required for CPE If you have issues answering the polling questions, please chat or email across your answer 2.0 CPE Hours in Personal Development (Non-technical) Partial credit available minimum of 1.0 hour Questions (and tips) are very welcome, submit through chat at any time Course evaluation and CPE Certificate will be emailed later today 2
Learning objectives Identify key verbal communication skills that will improve your confidence in networking Identify what networking is and why it is important Articulate how to effectively network at events and in meetings Generate ideas on how to network in our day to day lives 3
Introduction to Verbal Communication 4
Who do you communicate with? Clients, Customers Vendors Employees Investors Other stakeholders? 5
What are traits of effective verbal communicators? Listening Clear and concise Courteous Interesting Others? 6
What are traits of ineffective verbal communicators? Talking too much Manipulating, rambling, and not listening Too little One word answers Too edgy or aggressive Others? 7
The key to effective verbal communication 8
What is the most important part of communicating? Listening ACTIVE listening What is the key to active listening? Asking open ended questions Curiosity 9
Preparing for a conversation Do you get nervous? 10
Preparing for a networking conversation Do you get nervous? Be organized Type out an outline if needed What questions are you going to ask? Do you have a good elevator pitch? 12
What are common filler words? Um, uh, er, ah Like Okay, right You know Totally, literally Well You see, I mean, I guess https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/filler-word 14
How to eliminate filler words? Practice Overall content Transitions Slow down Pauses are okay Be self-aware record yourself or ask others 15
Putting it all together communicating with confidence Know what you are going to say Research Practice Maintain eye contact Strong voice 16
Passive Not expressing feelings or needs; ignoring your own personal rights and allowing others to also ignore your rights Deferring to others for decision making in order to avoid tension or conflict Often leads to misunderstanding, built-up anger, or resentment Examples include statements like I m okay with whatever you want to do Body language includes failing to make eye contact or looking down. 19
Aggressive Expressing feelings, needs, and ideas at the expense of others; ignoring others rights in order to support your own Defensive or hostile when confronted by others Often alienates and hurts others Can help meet your needs quickly Examples include statements like this is what we re doing, or get over it Body language includes crossing arms, eye rolling, or finger pointing. 20
Passive-Aggressive Appearing passive on the surface, but subtly acting out anger Exerting control over others by using sarcasm and indirect communication, or avoiding the conversation Limited consideration for the rights, needs, or feelings of others Examples include passive statements and body language followed by giving the "silent treatment, spreading rumors, and sabotaging another person s efforts. 21
Assertive Direct, honest communication of thoughts and feelings Respecting the feelings, ideas, and needs of others while also making yours known Examples include I statements like I feel...when you and I need for you to do Body language includes eye contact, straight posture, and relaxed gestures. 22
Communication Styles We are striving for assertive Which of the other three styles would best describe you when you aren t being assertive? Passive Aggressive Passive-Aggressive What are the risks of that style? What do you need to do to become more assertive in your communication? 23
The impact of your personality Which best describes you? Strongly introverted Somewhat introverted Mixed Somewhat extroverted Strongly extroverted Let s make sure Which is the best? The worst? 25
Rate each of the following on a 5 point scale. 1 is strongly disagree, 2 is disagree, 3 is neutral, 4 is agree, 5 is strongly agree. When a stranger talks to me, I consider it an opportunity to make a connection. I consider myself to be an assertive person. I don t mind talking about anything, even if I m not that knowledgeable about it. I think it s always better to have a roommate than to live alone. I like to look at my calendar for the day or week and see a lot of scheduled time. 26
Rate each of the following on a 5 point scale. 1 is strongly disagree, 2 is disagree, 3 is neutral, 4 is agree, 5 is strongly agree. At work meetings, I think it s important to speak up often. I have had a lot of fun playing tricks on my friends and family. I like to get my friends and co-workers excited about our plans. As a kid, I was always the first to volunteer to read aloud or be in a show. One of the great attractions of travel is the opportunity to meet new people. 27
Rate each of the following on a 5 point scale. 1 is strongly disagree, 2 is disagree, 3 is neutral, 4 is agree, 5 is strongly agree. Being out with a big group of friends all night can be exhausting. It s not unusual for me to get lost in thought, or even daydream, around other people. I think that being on a reality show would be a nightmare. I d rather spend time with a close friend on my own than see them with a group. I don t like to feel pushed into dancing at parties. 29
Rate each of the following on a 5 point scale. 1 is strongly disagree, 2 is disagree, 3 is neutral, 4 is agree, 5 is strongly agree. When I'm in charge, I prefer meeting with people one-on-one to making speeches or holding large brainstorming sessions. When I go to a party, I often think about how early it would be appropriate to leave. If someone is interesting, I m happy to listen to them without interrupting. In work or in life, I d rather take some time to consider the next steps even if others are eager to rush ahead. A day spent alone working on my hobbies sounds perfect. 30
Note the subtotal of the past ten questions Subtract the subtotal from 60 Add this result to the previous subtotal (first set of 10 questions) 31
What the score means 20-34 35-49 50-70 71-85 86-100 Strongly introverted Somewhat introverted Mixed signs Somewhat extroverted Strongly extroverted 32
What are pros and cons of each? Introverts More thoughtful. Words mean more. May not get heard (overlooked for decision making). Tougher to meet new people Extroverts Get heard. Pull information out of people Becoming domineering and self-important. Trust being able to wing it 33
What does networking mean to you? Connecting and building relationships with others 35
Why is networking important? Help (invest in) yourself Job opportunities Promotions Customers and vendors Help others directly or Connect them with people who can When done property, networking benefits both parties 36
Examples of how networking has unexpectedly benefitted you? Leading internal training Led to more interesting work Speaking at conferences Management consulting firm India 37
What has your experience with networking been like over the past two months? Successes? Struggles? Let s listen to some general themes: 38
At an event or meeting. You walk into the room now what? Remembering names Have done homework in advance get a list Utilize a partner Notes on your phone Listen genuinely Ask a question, and dig in 40
Process Quickly establish rapport What company do you work for? What is your role at the company? Dig deeper What do you like about working for the company? What is your favorite aspect of your role? Go a bit deeper still What brings you the most satisfaction in your role? What do you notice about the follow-up questions? They focus on the positive 41
Once strong rapport has been established (multiple meetings) What s the best thing that has happened to you over the past week? What is something that made you laugh or smile recently? What would others say your best qualities are? What has been your highlight thus far in 2024? Who is a person that means a lot to you? Tell me about them. What are you looking forward to over the rest of the year? Describe one of your best memories. 42
At the event: tips Ask for introductions Split up from your team Or at least get in smaller groups Get one on one time Be the first to arrive OR last to leave Be ready to answer the question, What do you do? What do you want people to know about you? 43
At the event or meeting: tricks Do you get anxious at networking events? Position yourself in high traffic areas. Where? Near the bar or food Be open. How? Start your own table, keep your phone in your pocket Talk to the person nobody else is talking to May I set my food down? It s not my night. 44
Who should you look to meet? Those roughly at your level. Why? Influence them and they will tell others What happens if you only spend time trying to meet the senior people? They likely aren t interested in you anyway Those at your level will not respect you 45
The invitation Events or One-on-ones Do your research on the person Be clear why this would benefit them Remember it is harder to say over the phone Especially if you tell them you d genuinely like to see them there Be clear and specific. How? 46
Example 1 Subject: 19xx grad with Ethics Content Boz, I just read the ___ note on your upcoming ethics training and was compelled to draft this email. I have a visit with Mary Jepperson June 1st for an introduction but thought writing to you for one as well would indeed prove worthwhile to us both. Let me know if you have some time in the coming weeks for an e-meet and greet. Regards, 47
Example 2: August 23rd Boz, I want to introduce you to our new Early Talent Recruiter that will be the new contact for any fair and event information. We are currently searching for the information in regards to St Johns - Accounting and Auditing Conference (if that is taking place this fall or not), the MN Private College Fair, and any other events upcoming soon. Look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for the introduction. Our only fall event is Numbers Night. We don t organize or host on campus those other events you listed. I sent the invitation to Numbers Night to you on August 1st. Did you not receive that? I resent to you and copied Jill, and I will list Jill as my contact going forward. Best, Boz 48
Example 2: September 6th 8th Good morning Boz, I want to start by sincerely apologizing for completely dropping the ball in responding to the below email dated August 23rd and not giving it the appropriate attention it deserved. I have registered for the Numbers Night Event and look forward to working with you. Would you be available for a brief introductory call? I'd love a few minutes to connect. Thank you, Hi Jill, Thanks for the note, and glad to see your firm registered! Today s I am open until 130pm and then again after 3pm if you want to call. I m at 612 414 9629. Best, Boz Hi Boz! I was traveling for business yesterday and at an off-site event today, would you have availability sometime next week to connect? Thank you! 49
Example 3: Bozs Approach Hey Sam, Hope you are well. Wondering if you'd be open to meeting up with me sometime over the next few weeks. I'd be happy to meet someplace close to you and treat you to breakfast. lunch, dinner, coffee, or whatever is most convenient for you. I'd enjoy learning more about what you do in your work. I do a lot of speaking already for corporate clients but am starting to get asked to do more of the kind of stuff that I think you do a lot of. So I'd enjoy learning more about how you approach things but also understand more of what type of work you do as I think I'll have some opportunities to refer work your way as well, if you ever have capacity. I suppose that was the long story, the short story is that I simply really enjoy you and your approach and would enjoy chatting more. I'm pretty open until school starts back up on Jan 18th. A couple family and business things here and there, but a lot of free time overall. 50
