Business networking is a key to success for any person looking for entry to Board room as independent Director as these positions are mostly referred by a trusted source & unless people know you better in your profession network how will they know your interest, your capabilities, your strengths. Out of sight is out of mind - so be visible & credible by effective business networking

1. Business Networking
for Directors
-Ankur Mehrotra

2. Why business networking?
• Most of Directors post filled by Invites
•Only great connections can get you invite

3. Networking?
• It is net - WORK
•Net-works
•Network = Net Worth

4. That one connection

5. Challenges ?
• Our Culture
• No formal education about networking
• Difficulty in starting conversation
•Difficulty in stopping conversation

6. Preparation
• Have your networking tools ready all the time
• Set goal to meet number of people in a event
• Act like host, not a guest
•Have your elevator pitch ready
•Listen and ask Five W (Who, What, Why, when,
where)
•Ask for help as ice breaker

7. Preparation
• Stories
•Elevator Pitch
•Memory hook

8. DOs/Don’ts
• Don’t jump selling yourselves
• Give your visiting card when someone ask
• Dress well for occasion
• Make notes on visiting cards for follow up
•Don’t linger around people you already know
•Ask right set of questions and actively
participate in the conversion
•Be a extremely good listener

9. ABC of Networking
• Try to find opportunity to help people you meet
• Give referrals
•Call your contact once you have pass referrals
• Connect people who could be helpful to each
other
•Note down ‘ask’ of people to connect them later

10. Visible and Credible
• Be prepared in board meeting
• Be Visible by making positive contribution
• Take down action items given to you and make
sure you work on them to become credible
• Attend after meeting parties
•Attend other social events whenever possible

11. Networking is
patience Game

12. To get on board
• Never ask yourself to become board of
Director, Let people discover you.
• Create Referral partners

13. Questions?