Mar 12, 2008 - Capitalizing on Opportunity
Beyond the handshake and the small talk, there’s a purpose for every networking encounter. Whether it’s gathering sales leads, expanding your influence or landing a job interview, effective networking requires confidence and setting goals. To help area business leaders build networking skills for career success, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association-St. Louis Affiliate spring event centered on the substance behind casual conversation.
Speaking before more than 40 healthcare businesswomen at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis, keynote speaker and networking expert Cheri Hanstein discussed the Three C’s of Networking: care, connect and continue. “We don’t always have the luxury of preparing for a networking opportunity,” noted Hanstein. “Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and we’re networking before we know it. It pays to be prepared!”
Hanstein’s counsel was concise:
• Set goals – whether it’s meeting new people or talking with a featured speaker
• Make first impressions count – be positive; look fabulous
• Be approachable – through eye contact, tone of voice, body language
• Establish rapport – introduce yourself; find common ground; introduce others
• Listen and ask open-ended questions
• Have plenty of business cards – they’re you’re #1 networking tool
• Get personal – send handwritten follow up notes when appropriate
• Become a conduit – connect others in your circle of influence; share information
Effective networking requires an understanding that face-to-face meetings should last no more than five to seven minutes. However, exits often can be extremely awkward. Her recommendation: exhibit common courtesy by including someone else in the conversation and never leaving your contact standing alone.
The HBA St. Louis Affiliate was established in 2007 and offers professional development, education and networking opportunities for women in the health care industry. The 2008 schedule of events includes an early summer panel discussion of St. Louis women leaders in the health care market, and a September presentation by Newsweek Contributing Editor Ellyn Spragins, author of “What I Know Now, Letters to My Younger Self.” Details will be forthcoming.
Since last year, the HBA-St. Louis Affiliate membership has grown from an initial core group of five women to more than 50 today.