How can we ensure successful networking opportunities.
Internet connection, digital device (smartphone, tablet or PC).
Participants will be provided with an overview of how to ensure successful networking opportunities supported by relevant research. They will be equipped with tools they can use to better their ability to network and will be assessed at the end through an online questionnaire on the knowledge they have acquired from this unit before they can move on to the next unit.
LESSON:
The main objective of this unit is to provide you with information and examples on successful networking techniques you can use to ensure successful networking opportunities.
This will be done mainly through videos, online
articles, practical exercises, and a self-assessment quiz at the end.
There are many dos and don’ts for business networking whether face-to-face or online:
Do:
- Smile and introduce yourself
- Prepare conversation starters/closers
- Follow up face-to-face networking on social media
- Make it personal
- Be persistent
- Send consistent messages
- Make it an ongoing relationship
Don’t:
- Stand and look at your phone
- Start a conversation with your business card
- Be a passive listener
- Be intimidated by other people’s roles/success
- Be afraid to ask questions
- Promote yourself overzealously
How cooperation influences quality of VET
There are multiple entry points towards increasing quality and attractiveness of VET, and VET-business cooperation is an important part of the story in this respect. Throughout VET processes, cooperation topics and various cooperation levels, the contributions of VET-business cooperation to VET quality are clear. The main overarching reason is that VET is better aligned with the needs of both the learners and the (future) employers. Furthermore, there are mutually reinforcing relationships between the elements leading to higher quality VET. Skill matching is an important element in successful school-to-work transition. At the same time, work-based learning is critically important to maximise the skill matching process. By organising the VET provision close to the labour market, the skills needs can be more directly communicated and solved and do not (necessarily) depend on skills surveys or skills forecasting models. Thus, skill matching and work-based learning reinforce each other, and both contribute towards increasing the quality and the attractiveness of VET. Similarly, to the extent that VET provides the highly skilled workers needed for the knowledge economy, its attractiveness will increase because VET learners will be positioned at the first frontier of labour market developments. This also contributes to raising the broader profile of VET in society, which in turn makes for a positive feedback effect towards VET programmes as they receive more attention from a broader pool of potential applicants. These are mutually reinforcing relationships; each element in these relationships contributes to the broader enhancement of VET quality and attractiveness.
Learning Material:
Videos:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k115ePA_9SU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm44G9zeISo
Online Article:
EXERCISES and ACTIVITIES
Exercise 1:
The Handshake Exercise
The handshake is one of the very first ways in which we develop impressions of other individuals (Shipps & Freeman, 2003). It is also an integral part of face-to-face networking in many cultures.
The goal of this exercise is to reintroduce participants to the importance and implications of this simple, common gesture.
To conduct the exercise, ask the participants to “greet” and shake hands with all individuals in a room (at work or in a conference). You might suggest that such a process would take place at a first-time meeting between employees of two or more companies or at a career fair or convention.
Afterwards, participants should provide their feedback to the following sets of questions:
1. “What did you notice about others you met and whose hands you shook? For example, did they smile, look you in the eyes, give their/ask for your name?”, “How did you feel when others did or didn’t make eye contact?”
2. “Describe the differences (without identifying individuals) in the handshakes you received. For example, did some involve sweaty palms, bone-crushing squeezes, or limp grips?
Why is the handshake important?
It helps form first impressions, establishes a physical “connection”, and is the accepted business greeting in North America, Australia, and many European countries.
Exercise 2: Networking Simulation
Participants should be advised to cooperate with their colleagues to build a face-to-face set- up whereby each person of the group will be given a role. The setting is an alumni, professional organization, or community event.
Each member of the team will be assigned a role as either a VET- provider or a representative of the Business Sector.
Participants should socialise with each other and try to get out of the communication what they need, depending on their goals and desires.
The notion of this game is that Networking requires a positive cooperative mindset. The most successful networkers have an attitude derived from viewing relationships as opportunities to give to, rather than take from.
After the game, ask participants to brainstorm on what worked and what did not work in their effort to communicate and form connections with others
Exercise 1:
The Handshake Exercise
The handshake is one of the very first ways in which we develop impressions of other individuals (Shipps & Freeman, 2003). It is also an integral part of face-to-face networking in many cultures.
The goal of this exercise is to reintroduce participants to the importance and implications of this simple, common gesture.
To conduct the exercise, ask the participants to “greet” and shake hands with all individuals in a room (at work or at a conference). You might suggest that such a process would take place at a first-time meeting between employees of two or more companies or at a career fair or convention.
Afterwards, participants should provide their feedback to the following sets of questions:
1. “What did you notice about others you met and whose hands you shook? For example, did they smile, look you in the eyes, give their/ask for your name?”, “How did you feel when others did or didn’t make eye contact?”
2. “Describe the differences (without identifying individuals) in the handshakes you received. For example, did some involve sweaty palms, bone-crushing squeezes, or limp grips?
Why is the handshake important?
It helps form first impressions, establishes a physical “connection,” and is the accepted business greeting in North America, Australia, and many European countries.
Exercise 2: Networking Simulation
Participants should be advised to cooperate with their colleagues to build a face-to-face set- up where bye each person in the group will be given a role. The setting is an alumni, professional organisation, or community event.
Each member of the team will be assigned a role as either a VET- provider or a representative of the Business Sector.
Participants should socialise with each other and try to communicate what they need by interacting with each other depending on their needs.
Tha notion of this game is that Networking requires a positive cooperative mindset. The most successful networkers have an attitude derived from viewing relationships as opportunities to give to, rather than take from.
After the game ask participants to brainstorm on what worked and what did not work in their effort to communicate and form connections with others.
https://www.thebalancemoney.com/valuable-networking-skills-3515560 - The most important skill for Networking successfully.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/networking-strategies - 8 effective networking strategies for professionals.
Indeed (2021). 8 effective networking strategies for professionals.
McAdam, M., & Marlow, S. (2008). A preliminary investigation into networking activities within the university incubator. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 14(4), 219-241.
Muijs, D., West, M., & Ainscow, M. (2010). Why network? Theoretical perspectives on networking. School effectiveness and school improvement, 21(1), 5-26.
O’Connor, A. B. (1982). Ingredients for successful networking. Nurse Educator, 7(6), 40-43.
Wolfe, L. (2022). The most important skill for networking successfully. The balance