Marketing Yourself For Success

1. Marketing Yourself For Success Rich Kenny 7-Eleven, Inc. The Great Lakes Division

2. Goals of Workshop Importance of networking 50 minutes to learn 3 � 4 strategies on networking

3. Beginning Tidbits Nametags � Right side (can sneak a peek) You can address by name, has info to start conversation Purses/Briefcases � Left side Business Cards Eating � Table hog; Balancing act

4. Handshakes = Communication Jellyfish = Spineless Finger Squeeze = Don�t touch Knuckle Breaker = Power play Covered Hand = Power play or warmth Proper Handshake = A nice firm handshake, maintain eye contact, a few seconds

5. Do These Thoughts Sound Familiar? No one wants to talk with me; I�m only a student. I don�t know enough to engage these people in an intelligent conversation. I�ve always had trouble meeting people; it�s just the way I am. These people are important. I shouldn�t waste their time. Negative thoughts stop us in our tracks

6. Remove the Stumbling Blocks to Effective People Networking

7. Stumbling Block: What should I do when I get there?

8. Remove Stumbling Block: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

9. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare! Have an agenda - focus on what you want out of the meeting. Be clear on your areas of expertise. Know your long and short term career goals.

10. Stumbling Block: I won�t know anyone there?

11. Remove Stumbling Block: What is a stranger? Re-evaluate your definition.

12. Re-evaluate Your Definition Of Stranger Our mom warned us not to talk to strangers as a child �for our own good�. This advice worked better when we were younger, but now that we are older we forget to turn off the warning.

13. Re-evaluate Your Definition Of Stranger Street corner + stranger = caution Meeting/conference/workshop = something in common. Identify commonalties Use commonalties as basis for conversation (ice breakers) During conversation � look for commonalties

14. Stumbling Block: What do I say?

15. Remove Stumbling Block: Practice a self introduction Change your thinking and thus, your behavior

16. Self Introduction Cont.... Different events need different intros Business = What line of work are you in? Social = How you are connected with the gathering? Introduce yourself and tell the person something about yourself that identifies your common interest.

17. Self Introduction Exercise Introduce yourself to someone and discover two things of interest.

18. Stumbling Block: I won�t know what to do when I get there.

19. Remove Stumbling Block: Move from guest behavior to host behavior.

20. Move from Guest Behavior to Host Behavior Hosts meet people, start conversations, introduce others, and make their guests feel comfortable. Guests let others take their coat, introduce them to others, and have others �wait� upon them. Hosts have something to do, Guests do not.

21. Guest to Host Behavior Cont.... Survey the room (others guests, refreshments, restroom, outside conversation areas). Make yourself comfortable � don�t rely on others to do it for you. Approach others for self-introductions. Bring others together (after talking to them, introduce them to someone else). Pour someone a drink, get hors d�oeuvres, etc. (act as a host).

22. Break For Refreshments We are going to give you 10 minutes to mingle, have refreshments. Here is your task: We want you to meet as many people as you can during this time, remembering the things that you have just learned.

23. END BREAK!

24. Stumbling Block: What if I make a fool out of myself?

25. Remove Stumbling Block: Get out of your �Comfort Zone,� take a risk!

26. Take a Risk! Some people may not respond to introduction. Don�t take it personally - just move on. Remember what you wanted to accomplish at the networking event (Examples: learn more about a career, develop job leads, sell a business idea, etc.).

27. Take Risk! Cont.... Treat EVERYONE as you would like to be treated (besides being the correct thing to do, you never know who might be helpful to you). Physically move around (you can�t work a room in a sitting position). Have a sense of humor

28. Stumbling Block: What if everyone is in groups and there is no one to talk to?

29. Remove Stumbling Block: Learn how to �Merge.�

30. Merging Don�t break in on an intense conversation Move to groups of 3 or more � stand close to the group � giving facial feedback. Once eye contact or verbal acknowledgement is received, join the conversation. Be open to others who want in the group.

31. Quick Conversation Detours For a quick greeting � say excuse me, I just wanted to say hello � then move away. You may be asked to join / and it may be a welcomed break for the group. I have �rescued� people before! If interrupted in a conversation, say you will catch up with them later after you finish this conversation.

32. Moving On You should spend no more than 8 � 10 minutes with a person. After you finish speaking on the topic, say, �It was nice meeting you�. Then move on.

33. Final Advise Before leaving, thank the Host/Hostess. When ready to leave, LEAVE!

34. Ending Tidbits Questions?

35. ANY IDEAS? We want your input!