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LCCI Guide to Networking

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry is synonymous with networking within the London business community. Our 200+ annual events, active business groups, clubs and associations, and drop-in workspace mean that every day is a new opportunity to grow your network.

But, we know that networking can be a love-hate figure in a business person’s life. Small talk with strangers could be your worst nightmare, but it can also be the exact opening that your  business needs. 

We believe everyone can benefit from networking, but it can be hard to know where to start. Keep reading to see our best tips that can make all the difference for both networking newbies and seasoned professionals.


Networking

Come prepared

  • Guest List  – peruse the guest list before the event and pick out key contacts who you think it would be mutually beneficial to introduce yourself to
  • Identify your goals – what do you want to get out of this networking event? Are you looking to find a mentor, explore collaborations, or gain industry insights? Having a clear goal will help guide your efforts and ensure you don’t waste your and others’ time
  • Business Cards – ensure you have enough on you if this is your preferred way to share details, but also be prepared for the rise of digitalised cards and profile-sharing instead
  • Elevator pitch – an elevator pitch is a brief introduction about yourself and your unique proposition. This should be your expertise, not your job title. Practice your pitch so it feels natural and confident.
  • Online presence – polish your online presence and keep it aligned with your in-person pitch. This way, if someone looks you up afterwards, they can be assured they’re reaching out to the right person

Create a situation that is comfortable for you

  • Do you prefer to have a room fill up around you, or do you prefer to come into an event in full swing? Work out what’s most comfortable for you and aim to arrive early or later depending on your preference
  • Don’t be afraid to exit a conversation if it’s not productive or beneficial for all parties involved

Build Relationships

  • Don’t sales-pitch – people want a solution for their problems, but they don’t want to be sold to.
  • Talk AND listen – it’s important to show genuine interest in others, and actively listening can achieve this.
  • Build collaborative relationships where you can help each other, don’t just focus on your own needs
  • Don’t give out business cards to everyone without building a foundation before, otherwise that card will likely only see the bottom of a bag, drawer, or worse, the bin! 

Follow-Up

  • Now you’ve done all that work, don’t let it go to waste. Connect online, organise a coffee and chat, or send them something relevant to your conversation.
  • LCCI’s Community App  – utilise our great free Community App to find and connect with the contacts you meet at LCCI events


Remember, as with all things, practice makes perfect. Get yourself booked on to an upcoming networking event to start practising. You can find out full events calendar here.