What are the best ways for Sales Managers to improve their networking skills?

I have been networking for business for 20 plus years. Here are my top tips to others in business and especially today: - Join a relevant professional association - Strive for live meetings, or at least live zoom or phone chats - Like friendships, you have to work at your network every week. - When working FT, strive for 1-2 calls per week on your commute - Do something for someone and expect nothing in return. This is the golden rule of networking.

Wear your brand and be prepared with the story of that brand (not a pitch). There have been so many times I have been standing in a line somewhere where someone has asked me, hey - I see that company logo - what do they do? This is the easiest networking tip to deploy.

1. Attending industry events: Participate in conferences, trade shows, and networking events to meet peers and potential business partners. 2. Active listening: Develop the ability to listen attentively, showing a genuine interest in others. 3. Building an online presence: Utilize social media and professional networking sites to connect with professionals in your field. 4. Providing value: Offer insights, support, and resources to your network to build mutually beneficial relationships 5. Joining industry groups: Become a member of industry-specific organizations to expand your network 6. Follow-up: Maintain consistent communication and follow-up with contacts to strengthen relationships.

Put in the time to get to know people. Don't view networking in a transactional way. Most people don't remember what your business can do for them, they remember YOU. YOU are your brand. Join events and organizations that have true meaning to the communities you serve. It helps if you truly share an interest or passion with those organizations. Suddenly, you're surrounded by like-minded people. From there, sky's the limit. Relationships build business.

Only thing I found very useful being for more than a decade in the business is the connectivity with your contacts which directly or indirectly lead you to many more and be beneficial to your business and company as well.

Here’s an awesome tip you can use when you’re networking (or selling). This tip is from one of my “Uncopyable Women in Sales” podcast guests, sales superstar @Katie O’Neill. Here’s what she recommends: when you’re networking in person (this works virtually too) … instead of handing them a business card, create a contact card for yourself in your phone. Add whatever details you’d like to share (you can add notes, too). Ask them for their cell number, and click “share contact.” Request (politely, of course) that they save you as a new contact. Now they have your info - which won’t get lost like a business card. AND you have their cell number, which can be used (with discretion!) to follow up and/or keep in touch. Simple. Brilliant! ??

Going into an event having made a clear list of people you want to connect with will make it infinitely easier to get value out of that time. Pick a few folks off the attendee list and make a point to find them in the room. The goal should be a memorable conversation worthy of follow up. Exchanging contact information is great but if you have no reason to ever follow up again it's pointless.

Avoid random card exchanges and sales pitches - Networking is more about creating trust and connection with those who have common interests, values, and goals. To achieve this, research your network targets before the event. Understand their backgrounds, roles, challenges, and interests. This will enable you to have engaging conversations with pertinent questions, comments, and stories.

Being prepared with your research is key to your Brand positioning . People love to connect if they see a value in their relationship with you . Preparedness enables value creation

I believe points 2 & 3 are the most impactful... Understanding the most valuable use of your time and expertise is critical to avoid taking too broad of an approach. Being yourself and being open about your strengths and areas that you hope to improve or grown in will attract the right partners and mentors.

Make sure you listen more than you talk during your various interactions. Remember: you don't have much time to make a first impression with somebody, and the best one you can make is leaving the person you met feeling heard, seen and understood. My final tip: make sure you clearly articulate your value (strengths, ways you can help them) and ask how that could be useful for what they've got going on right now. Giving and receiving is the foundation of every good relationship!

In addition, remember to follow up after networking events. Building relationships takes time, and it's essential to nurture the connections you've made. Send thank-you emails or messages to express your appreciation for the conversation and reiterate any commitments you've made. Keep in touch periodically, offering assistance or sharing relevant information when possible. These follow-ups can help solidify your network and make it a valuable resource over time.

Build your Brand story on strength of Trust and integrity . Brands built with empathy , authenticity connects with ecosystem very fast and remain in cognitive space forever .

to be someone else you need a lot of energy and time, consume that energy and time to be more friendly, reliable and responsible. these characteristics are more attractive than exaggerated personality in business atmosphere.

Consistency is an absolute must for networking, as per human tendency we like to receive before we give, that applies to your network as well. If the connection or network is just in your interest, chances of you getting any benefit from it next to none. Always provide value, be consistent, be a thought leader, be the advisor, be the consultant, congratulations you are a leader in networking!

To understand the meaning of Networking Clearly is, it doesn't mean having someone in friend list/contact list or in common group. Networking mean there should be a personal connection together. People meet a lot of people daily especially in networking events. They can't recognize everyone they meet. There are 2 best ways to keep them remember you. 1. Make a unique and unforgettable first impression. 2. Proper Follow Up - This is the key. Seeing your identity (Name, Brand Name, Your USP, Brand Color, your key offering etc) repeatedly people will easily remember and recognize you. The best way to do that is follow up. Holding a space in the prospect's mind is the hardest and sweetest part of Sales, especially in networking.

Referrals. Keep your asks simple. Events. Say “yes” to every opportunity that comes your way. Ask for introductions. Social Media. .Analyse and Choose whom you want to connect with. Decide and Determine where, whom and When to reach out. .Rappo buliding

When you set your goals, know what follow up you may have to offer. Ideally you have both an offer (insights, your time, other connections) and an ask (which could be similar to your offers). An ask is a great way to test the persons intent/commitment.

If you want a great business network you have to dedicate 80% of your networking time to maintenance the network. Maintenance in networking is follow up and follow through. You should have communication with your network members and let them know you are following up their needs.

I am never afraid to ask for feedback and improvement. From my experience contacts or colleagues that you ask will give you some valuable advice.

Networking is not a one-way street, you shouldn't always think about growing your network by adding new people. 80% of your time in networking should dedicate to maintenance. A quick call to your current network member maybe is much better than adding a new person to your network and obviously needs less time and energy.

Practice make perfect, so this is what I usually do: + Listen to podcast and Youtube, note down interesting ideas to discuss when networking + In your network, have at least 3 non-online communities where people in the same or related industry can talk and share with each others + Its also easy to talk to other sales people to learn from them and increase your skills + Read alot, anything. Books make youe wording skill sharper

I agree with you @(Mickey)Ayaskant Nanda I feel the term "networking" is bandied around too easily these days. While I agree that every opportunity where 2 or more people meet can be used as an opportunity to network, the very act of networking is a decision.... a decision to build a relationship of trust with another individual....Over time. Merely collecting contacts is not networking, therefore quantity should never be the objective, and neither should speed.

If you're new to networking, start with an event where you may know a lot of people. If you work in Hotel Sales, it may be an AHLA event attended almost exclusively by other hoteliers. I recommend going with someone who is good at networking to observe what they do. Learn skills like questions to "break the ice" or making introductions.

While networking is touted as a key skill for Sales Managers, let's play Devil's Advocate & question the traditional schmoozing approach. In an age where authenticity is king, could the relentless pursuit of networking be seen as opportunistic, even predatory? Instead of collecting business cards like trophies, Sales Managers might focus on building genuine relationships. Quality trumps quantity. In the digital era, networking isn't just about face-to-face; it's about creating value online, too. Engage meaningfully on professional platforms, contribute to discussions & share insights. Networking should be about mutual benefit. After all, isn't a trusted advisor more effective than a mere acquaintance with a slick handshake?

Networking is the fuel that accelerates success both in sales and sales management. The word networking can leave a bad taste in our mouths because many aren't sure where to start, what to say when they connect with someone, or how to maintain that relationship. Networking events can be a great opportunity to expand your sales contacts, generate referrals, and learn from other professionals.