Need for networking skills training expands

In a recent survey, forty university Alumni Directors participating were asked if they thought their graduating students needed more training in networking skills to compete in the business world. One hundred percent said, ìYes!î

In another survey of more than 2,500 businesspeople worldwide, 75 % said they got most of their business through networking. In response to this need, authors and speakers, Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon of Contacts Count are offering two Training Certification Workshops to teach people how to present keynotes and workshops on networking using the material based in their book Make Your Contacts Count (2002, NY, AMA).

The Certification Training will be in Kansas City March 4-6, 2005 and in the Washington, DC area April 8-10, 2005. Participants will learn state-of-the art strategies for presenting keynotes and workshops to corporate, association, government, franchise, non-profit, and professional services audiences. In the 2 day Certification Training they will receive workshop scripts, handouts, power points, articles, presentation coaching, and marketing strategies for selling the presentations to all kinds of clients.

ìAnyone can learn to make networking an art - not an accident!î says Anne Baber, one of the originators. ìBut unfortunately most people think you have to be born with the gift of gab to be effective. Not so!î With more than 15 years of research and experience on how networking for business and career advancement works, Lynne Waymon and Anne Baber list among their many clients Lockheed, U.S. Cellular, Bank of America, the National Geographic Society, the World Bank, and the Department of State. ìEven people who say, ëIím too busy!í or ìIím too bashful!í can learn the rules and the tools for becoming the natural and only choice when opportunity arises,î says Waymon, who resides in Silver Spring, MD.

ìWeíre looking for people whoíd like to start or expand their coaching, speaking or training business,î says Baber, who works out of her Lenexa, KS office. ìThe demand for this kind of training far exceeds our ability to respond. Potential clients include universities MBA and career counseling programs, corporate leadership development programs, entrepreneurship training, mentorship programs, career development firms, association conferences, government agency training programs, and many other venues. We want to help people find those clients and use our field-tested materials to successfully spread the word about how professional networking really works.î

One of the most unique features of Baber and Waymonís system is their Strategic Networking Activities Self-Assessment, a 50 item questionnaire that helps clients see which areas of networking theyíve mastered and which ones they need to give attention to. Responses are measured in eight different areas, such as Being Strategic, Making the Most of Meetings, and Following Up. All of the people who take the Certification Training will be licensed to use the Self-Assessment in their work with clients.