Nicki Vincent, founder and CEO of NV Brands is a networking expert. She is best known for her nearly three decades leading ACG Minnesota to become one of the most respected middle-market business communities in the region. Middle-market businesses are those with revenue between $10 million and $1 billion which constitute 46 million employees and nearly 40% of GDP.
She was a Rotary exchange student in Costa Rica and a former member of the Shoreview Rotary Club. Her exchange experience helped her develop her networking and people relationships skills.
Nicki shared the importance of networking and that the day you need a network is not the day that you start to build it! Initially you should define your story by outlining the experiences that shaped your skills and your future plans. Then, pick 3 to 5 words that are your attributes. These should give others a quick sense of who you are. It can be helpful to ask friends how they would describe you.
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Next develop an elevator pitch, simply 20 seconds of who, what, and why we are to easily share. Essentially this becomes our brand and should reflect our authentic self.
Get organized and seek out and participate in targeted communities or events where you can meet people who may be helpful in achieving your objectives. You should also consider how you can be helpful to others. The quotation "People don't remember what you say as much as they remember how you made them feel" is very true when it comes to networking and interactions with others.
Tactically, have an email signature that reflects some of your attributes and, if you still have an AOL email address, retire it. For our networking and business purposes and go with another more contemporary address such as Gmail.
Her “N.I.C.K.I.” Framework:
- Navigate the right rooms
- Invest in the relationships
- Create strategic introductions
- Keep the network alive
- Inspire growth
Networking Tips and Tricks:
- Prequalify meetings/events
- Get attendee list in advance
- Arrive early
- Look for ribbons on nametags
- Use buddy system
- Be organized
- Strategically circle the room
- Master the art of triangulating
- Initiate networking meetings
- Send thank you notes
- Follow up and follow through
Set goals for your networking such as to make one strategic connection. In communications and subsequent interactions, remember details that show you listened. Be flexible with paper as well as digital business cards. Find someone who can be your “Nicki.”