As I sit on the tube writing this after what was my 3rd networking event off the week, I realised that networking is one of the most valuable spends off my time in terms of return, and not just in monetary terms.

Networking is free most of the time. It is full of like minded individuals and if you go to the right ones it is full of people that you can work with or learn from in some way.

Again you do get the odd events where people just end up trying to sell to, but I’m glad to say I’m coming across these less and less.

The more social these networking events the better, they provide a laid back atmosphere to chat with similar people and these informal chats often lead to many opportunities and potential ways you can work together.

What’s better is that face to face networking events create better lasting impressions in the minds of people you meet. I mean, ultimately it’s not about who you know, but rather who knows you, right?

This can always lead to future opportunities for both parties, in terms of help, advice and business. It can also motivate you go further, take the plunge into starting your own business or just expand you industry knowledge.

After networking events make sure to stay connected with those that you met. Take a look at the business cards you received and email those that you met while what you spoke about is still fresh in your mind.

You may feel you are to busy to attend these events, but they act as a nice break from being stuck in front of a computer and they can count as being work as you are inevitably spreading the name of your business, across an audience that can provide value to your business and it is a great chance to learn something and get ideas.

You will see the value in forming and maintaining a strong contact base which will serve you well for years to come.

There are many really strong startup communities around the world now and in times of economic uncertainty I truly believe that these communities have helped each startups progress in this period which can be challenging for many.

As a member of the marketing team at Huddle and co founder of YHP, I am pleased to say I am a part of two of the best networking events in London which are joined by two of the three I have been too this week.

DrinkTank is one. The tech meetup organised by Huddle and was started by the founders a few years ago after going to way too many networking events full of consultants trying to sell there services. This event was made a strictly members only event, all applications are vetted to ensure we don’t get spammers (look out for the next event soon).

YHP Connect on the other hand offers a smaller number of people the chance to come together and network in a relaxed social atmosphere with talks by entrepreneurs, who have been successful, discussing the journey they took and problems they overcame. With a smaller group the Q&A session becomes more useful and everyone gets a chance to talk with each other and the speakers.

Remember networking events give you the chance too relax and socialise for a few hours in what is a time when working on your startup can include working long into the night. And better still, it counts as work.

Your are marketing your business, your marketing yourself and best of all you are creating connections.

These events are all about mutual benefits. How can you offer a service or help another? Because there will be a time when you may need help or advice and you will want to have built a strong network.

There is a reason why many angels and VC’s insist on startups with a co founder and its because the majority of the time 2 is better than 1. And guess what, this scales. The knowledge and help of a community will pay dividend.

Your net worth is only as good as your network.

The Importance of Networking

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This is a guest post written by Will Kintish who founded Kintish in May 2000, when he noticed a gap in the market for people looking to improve themselves for the purpose of improving there careers, and has established itself as a leading UK provider of professional development training.

Let’s cover an area of working the room with which people often struggle… the actual moving around the room. Disengaging with one group and breaking into groups. Finally I will cover the bridge process and explain the importance of the follow up after we have met new people.

Perhaps you have recently had a chance to meet people at a business networking event or social event, a conference, or seminar and have taken the opportunity to go up to someone standing alone. The problem comes when you wish to extricate yourself from this person but don’t know how to go about it. Here let me give you some practical ideas. If you are both fellow guests at a function you don’t owe it to this person to spend the rest of the evening with them. Think about it for a moment, the chances are that this person wishes to move on as much as you do but like you they simply don’t wish to offend or cause any embarrassment.
You can do one of three of things:

Whichever you use please do it with respect, integrity and politeness. Good manners is essential when working the room and is good business; bad manners brings no business.

The important aspect here is to move around the room with or without your new found friend. Again can I remind you that if your conversation is dry, they too probably want to be off working the room as well. You are doing them a favour by using your superior business networking techniques

Using the second idea of moving to the bar is an opportunity to park the person with someone else or for them to park you. It’s rare both of you will be at an event where you don’t know anyone so moving to the bar usually has the desired effect. When you do bump into someone you know even though you are a guest at an event act as a host. Don’t just say “Hi Lou this is Jo” and leave it there. You have been chatting to Jo for some time and you obviously know Lou … so play host. Say something like this, “Lou let me introduce you to Jo who I’ve just met this evening. He has a fascinating business selling sand to Middle Eastern Companies and, Jo, Lou here and I have been friends for years. He runs a business helping growing exporters raise finance from people who are looking for high-risk high return opportunities”.

These introductions are designed to get the two of them to talk quickly and with ease and reassurance. Who knows what may happen. You just might have created some potential for both of them? Business networking isn’t just about what you can do for yourself, it’s about what you can do for others. If you help someone, they will remember you when they hear of someone who needs your services. This of course makes it so much easier for you to move on and meet other people. This exercise is what I call parking. Like your car do it carefully, watch all angles and don’t hit anything!

So now you have a parked Jo with Lou you have freshened up your drink. You look around the room and you see clusters of people or groups chatting to each other.

“Help… What do I do next?”

It’s easy. Work the room! Look for a group of three people and move over to the edge of the circle. As you are moving towards the group, look at the faces of the people and decide who seems to be the most welcoming. Stand opposite that person at the edge of the group and smile. I can assure you the following will happen. The person you have smiled at will smile back and one or both of the other people will turn towards you and both will take one step to the side making a space for you. When you first do this, it’s not easy. I’m not pretending it is but it always works. Ask in a gentle voice “Good evening please may I join you”? Again I have to tell you, you will not be rejected.

The chances are someone will put their hand out and introduce themselves. I often play a game at the start of a business networking seminar or prior to a sit down meal by asking my new found friend if they would allow me to use them as a Guinea Pig. I get them to go up to people they don’t know, try out what I have just said and it always works. I do this simply to ensure that whenever I write about the matter or speak about it at the presentations and seminars I deliver that I feel confident in the advice I give.

Once you have successfully joined a group, don’t change the subject matter and wait for them to start asking you questions. Bear in mind again, the chances are these people are from the same business or have known each other for a long time but haven’t got the self-confidence to break away and meet new people… So you are a big relief for them!

When you are in a group, you will know the time to move on, instinct will tell you. I don’t need to. So go to the top of this article and remember the tips about working the room.