Essential Business Networking Tool Kit

BY Aug. 05, 2010 18 Comments


Before going out to network, there is a standard checklist of items that no networker can leave home without.  Some are very obvious, such as business cards, minty gum (no TicTacs, jingle too much) and pen and paper.  Here are my recommendations for those random items you probably wouldn’t always think of.

The Thumb Slider

This steel business card thumb slider works great and I purchased it from eBay for only a dollar. However, it comes from Hong Kong so it’s going to take 2 weeks to get to you. It’s great because you only need one hand to use it, as opposed to the clam shell business card holder, where you need two hands.  Save one hand to hold a drink or to hold one of these…

Leather Padfolio

I take one of these bad boys to all of my meetings and networking events. It lets people know you mean business. It’s useful because you can take notes on it (or pretend to), put in flyers or papers, or organize other people’s business cards in there, which is better than filling up your pockets with cards. Don’t skimp out on the leather (I did and regret it). They’re more elegant than the plastic ones, and they’re usually more durable.

Evernote

Download Evernote on your phone and take pictures of business cards or take text and audio notes where they’re then uploaded onto your Evernote notebook online. It’s fast, easy, and searchable.

Backup Business Cards

If you’re a power networker, or if you’re always forgetting your business cards, then you’re going to need backup business cards  because the Thumb Slider can only hold up to 20 standard cards. So keep a refill in your padfolio and in your wallet. I also keep a big stack in my car, just in case both backups run out.

Networking Sidekick

Networking can be sometimes fun,  scary, exhausting, or weird, so that’s why you need a networking partner, especially if you’re just starting out.

I would recommend a cute girl, but a good looking guy should do just fine. Here are some uses for a sidekick:

Introductions

Let the sidekick go into a group, and wait for his signal so he can introduce you to the person or the group.  Before hand, agree on the type of introduction he’d make for you, and you receprocate when you make introductions for him or her.

Life Saver

Sometimes, you’re going to meet people that you regret talking to, so that’s why a Sidekick is there to help. Just have a code signal for “Rescue Me” before hand, and presto, he’ll force-eject you out of there before the other person bores you to death.

Tag Team

If you’re finding yourself getting  a lot of silent gaps when you talk to people, then a Sidekick is perfect for tag teaming a conversation.  I sometimes run out of things to say, so I just turn to my Sidekick, smile, and wait for him to take over the convo. It works wonders.

What do you think? Are there any other tools you would recommend for a business networking tool kit?

Entrepreneurship, Keys to Networking
, ,
  • http://www.making-your-own-website.com Nabeel | Create Your First Website

    Hi,

    The Thumb Slider and Leather Padfolio seem like they will be very useful. It would have been appreciated if you could have attached pictures/images of these, so that we could see them.

    Kindest,
    Nabeel

    • http://epiclaunch.com Ben Lang

      Hi Nabeel,

      Sorry about that, there was a bug with WordPress and they didn’t show up. I fixed it now, thanks for pointing that out.

      • http://www.making-your-own-website.com Nabeel | Create Your First Website

        Thanks for fixing it!

        Kindest,
        Nabeel

        • Giordany

          We here at Epic Launch, strive for fast service!

    • http://www.chrispund.com Chris Pund

      Padfolios are a great item to carry with you. If you can get one with a three ring binder in it, it’s even better because you can organize a lot more stuff. Sometimes they are just a pain to deal with carrying around though while talking to someone or holding a drink at the same time – they can tie up your hands. So don’t be afraid to sit it somewhere, just don’t forget it!

      Great post!

      • Giordany

        Haha, yea, I’ve actually bought one of those moleskin journals, those also come in handy and they’re a bit more compact. Thanks for commenting!

  • Onibalusi Bamidele

    Really great post Giordany,

    I love evernote because of its many functionalities.

    Thanks a lot for the great post,
    -Onibalusi

    • Giordany

      Hey Onibalusi,

      Awesome! Thanks for the compliment. I’ll try my best to write even greater articles.

      Great name btw!

  • http://technshare.com Dev – Technshare.com

    Hey Gordiny,

    Great Post. I only know about evernote, other tools are new to me.

    Thanks for sharing this great Post.

    Btw. I really love the graphics :) .

    ~Dev

    • Giordany

      Hey Dev,

      Thanks for enjoying it. Start trying out the new methods!

  • http://moderncommunicator.com David Guzman

    Hi Giordany

    Seriously great points in here! I take a leather padfolio with me practically everywhere I go, it does seem to add the “you mean business” touch. :)

    I loved the idea of a bringing along a networking sidekick – I’ll definitely have to try that one out.

    -d

    • Giordany

      Thanks! You gatta rock the padfolio. I’m going to save some money and invest in a padfolio made out of crocodile skin, that should turn heads! :)

      And definitely try to get a cute chick as your sidekick, they make you look good, and they make old men (with money) easier to talk to.

      • http://moderncommunicator.com David Guzman

        Haha, I love it. The Crocodile Padfolio would be a total conversation starter. This combined with the cute chick would be networking brilliance. I mean, who wouldn’t want to talk to you? : )

  • Jon Chema

    Great article Giordany, glad to have you on board the indie-filmmaker.com team!

  • http://www.dennisedell.com/about Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing

    HAHA! A networking “wing-man”, a new one on me, but I like it!

    • Giordany

      Glad you like it. Let me know if you try it out!

  • http://www.bigredtomatocompany.co.uk Matthew Needham

    I like the idea of the thumb slider. Brilliant advice.

    The network sidekick is a great idea and is really useful to help you get more out of the networking event.

    • Giordany

      Also one added tip on thumb sliders: They don’t work well with matted cards because the friction created between the cards makes them stick together. So then it becomes about technique when getting one card out. However, it works perfectly with plastic UV printed cards.