Note: Running Fridays in FromGregsHead.com, is a continuing series of tips brought to you by Greg Price. These run Saturday mornings during the BusinessMaker’s Radio Show on KPRC 950AM. Audio files can be found on the PKF Texas – Entrepreneur’s Playbook® page of the PKF Texas website.
In the current economic climate, young professionals (YPs) have started asking themselves: ‘What else can I do to add value to my company? How do I venture out into the marketplace to network on behalf of my company?”
Networking can be intimidating to a YP walking into a room filled with more experienced professionals. The key is training your YPs to be prepared to speak intelligently about your company when presented with the opportunity, no matter the setting. The good news is that YPs don’t need to know everything; they simply need to know, in general terms, what they are selling.
They should be able to answer the following questions:
1. What products and services does my company offer?
2. What are my company’s strengths over our competitors?
3. What are my company’s specialties?
The ability to effectively communicate these three key points allow your YPs to pave the way for the introduction to the appropriate people at your company who do know the answers to all of the specific technical questions.
Have your YPs seek out organizations that have a YP focus such as the Greater Houston Partnership’s HYPE group or the World Affairs Council Young Pros programs. Getting your YPs into the networking game early allows them to build relationships for the future of your company and their careers.