• Current students
      • Student centre
        Enrol on a course/exam
        My enrolments
        Exam results
        Learning Hub data privacy policy
      • Course information
        Students FAQs
        Student induction
        Course enrolment information
        Key dates
        Book distribution
        Timetables
        FAE elective information
      • Exams
        Exam Info: CAP1
        E-assessment information
        Exam info: CAP2
        Exam info: FAE
        Access support/reasonable accommodation
        Extenuating circumstances
        Timetables for exams & interim assessments
        Interim assessments past papers & E-Assessment mock solutions
        Committee reports & sample papers
        Information and appeals scheme
        JIEB: NI Insolvency Qualification
      • CA Diary resources
        Mentors: Getting started on the CA Diary
        CA Diary for Flexible Route FAQs
      • Admission to membership
        Joining as a reciprocal member
        Conferring dates
        Admissions FAQs
      • Support & services
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        CASSI
        Student supports and wellbeing
        Audit qualification
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
    • Students

      View all the services available for students of the Institute

      Read More
  • Becoming a student
      • About Chartered Accountancy
        The Chartered difference
        What do Chartered Accountants do?
        5 Reasons to become a Chartered Accountant
        Student benefits
        School Bootcamp
        Third Level Hub
        Study in Northern Ireland
        Events
        Blogs
        Member testimonials 2022
        Become a Chartered Accountant podcast series
      • Entry routes
        College
        Working
        Accounting Technicians
        School leavers
        Member of another body
        International student
        Flexible Route
        Training Contract
      • Course description
        CAP1
        CAP2
        FAE
        Our education offering
      • Apply
        How to apply
        Exemptions guide
        Fees & payment options
        External students
      • Training vacancies
        Training vacancies search
        Training firms list
        Large training firms
        Milkround
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contract
        Interview preparation and advice
        The rewards on qualification
        Tailoring your CV for each application
        Securing a trainee Chartered Accountant role
      • Support & services
        Becoming a student FAQs
        Who to contact for employers
        Register for a school visit
    • Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More
  • Members
      • Members Hub
        My account
        Member subscriptions
        Annual returns
        Application forms
        CPD/events
        Member services A-Z
        District societies
        Professional Standards
        Young Professionals
        Careers development
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
      • Members in practice
        Going into practice
        Managing your practice FAQs
        Practice compliance FAQs
        Toolkits and resources
        Audit FAQs
        Other client services
        Practice Consulting services
        What's new
      • In business
        Networking and special interest groups
        Articles
      • Overseas members
        Home
        Key supports
        Tax for returning Irish members
        Networks and people
      • Public sector
        Public sector news
        Public sector presentations
      • Support & services
        Letters of good standing form
        Member FAQs
        AML confidential disclosure form
        Institute Technical content
        TaxSource Total
        The Educational Requirements for the Audit Qualification
        Pocket diaries
        Thrive Hub
      • Member benefits
        Member benefits
    • Members

      View member services

      Read More
  • Employers
      • Training organisations
        Authorise to train
        Training in business
        Manage my students
        Incentive Scheme
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        Securing and retaining the best talent
        Tips on writing a job specification
      • Training
        In-house training
        Training tickets
      • Recruitment services
        Hire a qualified Chartered Accountant
        Hire a trainee student
      • Non executive directors recruitment service
      • Support & services
        Hire members: log a job vacancy
        Firm/employers FAQs
        Training ticket FAQs
        Authorisations
        Hire a room
        Who to contact for employers
    • Employers

      Services to support your business

      Read More
☰
  • The Institute
☰
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Students
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Archive
  • Podcasts
  • Contact us
Search
View Cart 0 Item
  • Home/
  • Accountancy Ireland/
  • Home/
  • AI articles

Nine tips for networking in 2022

Feb 04, 2022

Networking isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be terrible either. Jean Evans outlines vital actions you can take to start successfully networking this year.

1. Make your introduction unforgettable

By telling people that you are about to give your name, they are more intent on listening to hear it and remember it. It also offers the opportunity for people to ask for you to repeat it or clarify it if your name is unusual.

If you start with ‘I’m…’, you could be about to say, “I’m getting a cup of coffee”, “I’m leaving”, or “I’m going to a meeting…” and people will stop engaging.

2. Default your networking

The process of networking has to default into the diary. Make it a priority. I start the month by putting  networking events into my diary – they are sacrosanct. This time is my time to meet other business owners, work on my business, learn and grow. All other meetings with staff, suppliers, and customers will always be there. You can wrap those meetings around the time set aside for networking.

3. The number of networks to join

People should join two or three networks. The networks you choose need to be different types of groups, as different networks will bring different value depending on where you are with your mindset, journey, career, or business.

4. The art of conversation

If you are going to a networking event or meeting, plan some conversation topics ahead of time and have a few ideas in your back pocket. Small talk is the art of finding common ground and areas of interest with another person.

Suppose you are interested in getting to know them. In that case, the conversation will flow, and one question posed with genuine interest could be the start of a beautiful new friendship or business relationship.

5. Invest the time in one-to-ones

Take the time to get to know your fellow network members. Aim to do a one-to-one with at least one new member each week. If you accomplish this, you will steadily and consistently build up your network.

What is a one-to-one? It’s where you schedule time to get to know a fellow member or networker. A one-to-one can be over a coffee or on a walk. These days, they tend to be on Zoom, but when and if it’s safe, it’s good to meet in person to pick up non-verbal cues.

The second win is now you can actively follow, like, share and listen to what is going on with these businesses. It’ll help you in conversation, with small talk, showing interest and give you content for those all-important one-to-ones.

6. Learn to give

A key trait of a great networker is someone who has learned to give freely. It’s essential to learn to help others without expecting to receive in return.

Helping others can come in many different forms: a contact, a connection, a piece of advice, an interesting article shared, willingness to engage in one-to-ones, invitations to other networks to pay a visit, sharing a book recommendation or referring business.

7. Invest in your brand

Visibility is everything when it comes to career and business success. It would help if you took some time to audit how visible you are. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Who knows you?
  • Who knows what you know?
  • Who needs to know you and what you know to achieve your goals in life and business?

When thinking about this, include both internal and external stakeholders. Where do these people network, and are you networking in the right places to meet people who can help you in your career or business?

Next, do you have a strategy to build the right network? How you are going to nurture this network? Networking must be intentional.

8. Introverts: protect your asset

Your most important asset in business is you, and the best way to protect yourself is to ensure you get enough sleep. While essential and enjoyable, networking can also be tiring and draining, especially if you are an introvert.

If you know you are going to a networking meeting, whether it’s online or in-person, ensure you have had a good night’s sleep. This will give you the energy to network and remain engaged.

Don’t plan meetings in advance of, or immediately after, networking. Try to keep some time for yourself.

9. Get curious

While  networking, people can often meet others at events, stop at the name of the company or the person’s title and make a snap decision about whether that person is worth their time. Assumptions do a disservice to both parties.

You cannot define a person by the title, role, and job they hold. Rather they are the culmination of a vast array of experiences, ideas, and connections. Networking should be about uncovering this and going on a voyage of discovery.

Jean Evans is a Networking Architect and Founder at NetworkMe.

The latest news to your inbox

Useful links

  • Current students
  • Becoming a student
  • Knowledge centre
  • Shop
  • District societies

Get in touch

Dublin HQ

Chartered Accountants
House, 47-49 Pearse St,
Dublin 2, Ireland

TEL: +353 1 637 7200
Belfast HQ

The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast
Antrim BT2 8BG, United Kingdom.

TEL: +44 28 9043 5840

Connect with us

CAW Footer Logo-min
GAA Footer Logo-min
CARB Footer Logo-min
CCAB-I Footer Logo-min

© Copyright Chartered Accountants Ireland 2020. All Rights Reserved.

☰
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Event privacy notice
LOADING...

Please wait while the page loads.