People. People who need people

After a much needed time out weekend in one of my favourite coastal hideaways with my friends (and chief time out guru Cooper) I’m writing this in the car on the way back to the Midlands and the HQ, thinking of my to-do list and in a thoughtful mood about how much we need people. In all aspects of life.

I’m due to speak at a network meeting in 2 weeks and also co-arranging an evening to practice networking skills for first year University students later in March. I’ve been struck by the kindness of my networks (and their networks) for the latter, and buoyed by others interest in what I’m about to say in the former.

Without my own network, I couldn’t achieve either of these things. I truly value the people I meet, am keen to connect them to other likeminded people and share/build success. I have met some inspirational networkers and continue to work on my own skills to become more adept when out and about meeting people. It takes practice and a critical evaluation of performance.

This will be my first speaking slot at a networking group for a while, so a good opportunity to refresh those presentation skills and create a clear understandable message. And some useful bid writing hints and tips, of course!

My preparation will go something like this….
1. what will you say?
2. how will you say it?
3. what is the main message?
4. how will you follow up?
5. any materials ?

Funnily enough these are the same messages I’ve used when preparing students for their networking evening. Ultimately, I believe curiosity, simple language and good sense of humour will take you places. And the honesty to admit you’re a little nervous/excited and want to make a good impression. I share my students nerves/excitement but have the confidence to know they will be great, and that their nervousness is merely adrenaline and an absence of past experience to focus and centre their energy.

After all. People need people to learn, network, rely on and thrive. And then we truly are the luckiest people in the world.

 

If you would like to join me at BIO networking group in 2 weeks times, or find out more about the group, please visit http://bionetworking.co.uk/

And if you are available in Derby on Wednesday 1 March 2017, 5.30pm – 6.30pm, then come along to Developing an Enterprising Mindset networking evening at the University of Derby, please book via http://www.derby.ac.uk/newsevents/events/calendar/developing-an-enterprising-mindset.php

 

Would love to hear from you, and see you at either of these events, or in the future, thanks! Rachel

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