Building a network is only the beginning. The relationships you maintain, including people you know less well, can provide access to information, resources, sponsorship and opportunities.
This practical course gives you the opportunity to examine how you network, practise professional conversations and develop a realistic approach to building, maintaining and using relationships in person and online.
Networking can feel forced when the focus is on what you might get. Starting with contribution changes the conversation. Sharing useful information, making an introduction or showing genuine interest creates value and gives people a reason to stay connected.
Across the day, you will map your network, compare strong and weak ties, draft a memorable introduction and practise ways to begin, sustain and end conversations. You will also work through awkward situations, re-engage a dormant contact and design a maintenance habit that suits your role and available time.
Is this course for you
This course is for professionals at any career stage who want to build more useful relationships within their organisation and across their wider industry. It is particularly relevant if networking feels uncomfortable, your contacts have become inactive or your current approach relies on occasional events rather than consistent relationship building.
This course is suited to individuals who want to:
build or refresh internal and external professional relationships
prepare for events, introductions and professional conversations
make their professional contribution easier for others to understand
approach networking in a way that feels genuine
use online platforms to support professional relationships
maintain valuable contacts more deliberately
During this training course, you will develop the confidence and practical skills to network effectively in professional and business settings. The course focuses on building authentic connections, communicating with purpose and using both in-person and digital networking strategies to create and sustain meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships.
By the end of this training course, you should be able to:
Identify opportunities for business networking and tailor your approach for different contexts
Create a memorable first impression through confident introductions and conversation starters
Apply the principle of “give first” to build genuine, reciprocal relationships
Manage challenging or awkward networking situations effectively
Follow up and maintain meaningful connections over time
Leverage digital networking platforms, including LinkedIn, to expand your reach
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