Communicate for Contacts

Overview/Description
 Although the old adage, "It's not what you know but who you know that counts" is not a firm basis on which to build your career, it is true that your ability to build relationships with influential people both inside and outside of your company has definite benefits. You know the importance of creating a good impression and raising your profile with those who can have a positive impact on your future success with the company, but how exactly do you go about achieving this? Not surprisingly, appropriate communication plays a large part. In this course, you will learn how to improve your skills as an interesting and interested conversationalist and how to overcome the inherent shyness that many people experience when faced with a room full of strangers. The course also gives practical strategies for "networking" effectively in common business environments such as trade shows, conferences, or business socials. Armed with these skills, your confidence will soar, and you will cruise through events and gatherings that may currently fill you with dread and foreboding.

Target Audience
 Anyone whose career or results would benefit from forming valuable business connections with influential people within and outside an organization

Expected Duration
4.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Best Foot Forward: Making a Good Impression

  • recognize the value of social skills in the workplace.
  • recognize examples of shy behavior.
  • use appropriate strategies to overcome shyness and network effectively in a given situation.
  • recognize appropriate methods of making a good first impression.
  • create a good first impression in a given business scenario.
  • identify suitable network contacts to help build a good professional reputation.

    • The Art of Conversation

  • recognize the value of being an accomplished conversationalist.
  • characterize the stages of the S.O.A.R. technique.
  • recognize the basic stages of a good conversation.
  • use verbal communication skills to conduct a conversation with a new acquaintance.
  • characterize common conversational pitfalls.
  • use appropriate communication strategies to avoid the four common conversational pitfalls.

    • Networking Skills for Business Events and Functions

  • identify the benefits of being able to network effectively.
  • recognize the planning strategies necessary to network successfully at trade shows, conventions, and similar events.
  • plan a visit to a trade show after being given background information.
  • recognize the consequences of not following the rules for networking at parties, business functions, and fundraisers.
  • recognize methods of networking effectively to gain potential sponsors.

    • Course Number: COMM0007