Business Development 101: The Art of Networking – 1

Business Development for PR
by CIPR North East Group

The first event in the CIPR North East Group's business development series welcomes networking hero, Jeni Banks, business support specialist at Sunderland Software City, who will share advice and tips on how to approach networking events and how to develop a networking strategy.

Relevant to PR professionals across all disciplines this talk is designed to aid you in getting more out of networking events than just a free coffee.

Topics which will be covered during the event include:

• Networking etiquette (dos and don’ts)
• Where to start when you walk in the room.
• How to approach people.
• How to avoid being awkwardly stood on the edge of the room and ultimately turning to your phone for comfort.
• How to quickly asses if there is worth in having a conversation.
• How to move on if the conversation has run dry or isn’t beneficial.
• How to develop an initial conversation into a working relationship once you have left the event.
• There are so many networking events to choose from - how to identify which are right for you.

This event is for all PR professionals from any discipline, any sector, in-house, agency or independent practitioner.

This event is part of the Business Development for PR series, giving you the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from industry experts on how to develop and grow your business through obtaining new clients. To get the most out of these sessions, we recommend you attend them as a series. If you attend two events in this series we’re offering your third ticket for half price.

Jeni Banks - business support specialist at Sunderland Software City

Jeni Banks has been described as a networking hero; from a questionable first attempt whilst studying her degree in Business & Finance at Liverpool’s JMU, to a full-time stint as a successful professional networker and running her own successful regional business network, May Fifteen, in her home city of Carlisle.

Drawing on 12+ years of networking experience, Jeni has developed the world’s first strategic business networking model. Supported by research from Durham University, Jeni’s hypothesis examines the ecosystem that exists within the world of business networking.

By exploring the landscape of networking events, the financial implications of poor networking decisions and the benefits of developing your own, bespoke networking strategy, Jeni is giving businesses the power to succeed in a world that is becoming increasingly fearful of interpersonal communication.