Networking Know-How by Zoe Cunningham

Author:Zoe Cunningham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vearsa

meeting one on one

Going to networking events is a good way to meet lots of people at once, but the best way to really get to know someone is to meet them one on one. There is no substitute for this. It’s not always easy to find the time, especially when you have a full time job to do, and it gets harder the more connections you make and the more invites you get.

Meeting new people over coffee has become my favourite way to network. I would take it over an event any day. The atmosphere is relaxed, it’s easy to focus on the person you’re talking to and you can choose where to meet, which means that the coffee is usually better too. I’ve made some brilliant connections – TV executives, UKTI mentors, network founders – simply by getting in touch with people I’d like to meet and asking them the magic question “would you mind meeting for coffee?”.

As my profile has grown through public speaking and TV and radio work, I now find that I have more people coming to me to ask me if I would like to go for coffee. This can be slightly daunting to start with, but luckily I’m not yet at the position where I don’t have time to say yes to the requests I get. I have been absolutely amazed by the great connections that I have made this way. I’ve met loads of entrepreneurs with great businesses and fantastic energy and they will be fantastic contacts for me for the future.

Can we meet for coffee?

Think of someone you’d like to meet. Maybe someone senior in your company who could make a good sponsor or mentor for you? Maybe someone in an organisation that you hope could become a client of yours one day? Maybe someone whose career you have admired from afar and who you would love to ask how they did it? Now pick up your phone, or open your email, and ask that person for coffee.

This can feel extremely daunting when you are starting out. Why would they want to speak with you? Aren’t they far too busy and important to spend time talking to you? Well as it turns out, most often, no they’re not too busy. One of the most amazing things that I have discovered as a result of doing extensive networking is that the more successful people are, the more they are willing to give back and help someone else out. Everyone who is really successful knows that this is how it works. They know this because when they themselves were starting out, someone went for coffee with them and helped them on their way.

This approach won’t always work, but you have nothing to lose by trying. Another thing that we often worry about is that we will look forward, or be annoying or somehow cause ourselves problems if the person we get in touch with doesn’t want to have coffee with us. Provided we

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