Why does Infiniti Resources run networking events?

• We are keen that others can experience the way that we do business. Because we believe that sustainable relationships are critical to business success, we are keen for others to experience the benefits of such an approach.



• In the last 12 years of business, the vast majority of our new work has come from referrals, recommendations and networking. So by running an event like this we can develop our relationship with you and you can meet others who might help with your own business development. A win/win situation.



• Our experience of networking events is that attendees are made up of 95% sellers and 5% buyers. This is a fact of life -if you want to develop your business you need to meet people who you can sell to.



• The problem is that most networking events don't immediately generate business. The people that you meet generally seem much keener to sell to you than buy from you. Our philosophy is to encourage others to build relationships in their business environment.

So what is networking then - and how can I be an effective networker?

• The aim of networking is to build relationships, not a stack of business cards. Your goal is therefore to create an impression with the prospects that you meet and to hand over your card in a spirit of warmth, openness and co-operation.



• Effective networking is as much about what you can give to people as what you can get from them. This means concentrating on creating a relationship in which useful information can be exchanged at every meeting (even if the first contact meeting doesn't necessarily lead to any immediate business).



• Successful networkers listen two or three times more than they talk. Listening is an art which involves good eye contact, showing positive interest, not interrupting, and checking back that what you have heard is what the person actually said.



• Unfortunately many people are so busy telling other people their life stories or about their businesses that they don't have much time for listening. The key is to establish empathy as quickly and genuinely as you can.

Successful networking is about:

• Giving and receiving
• Contributing and accepting support
• Offering and requesting
• Promoting others' need and promoting your own needs
• Trust and persistence

Finally, something to think about..................