Business Fundamentals: Effective Networking (FutureLearn)

Build your network and personal brand online and in the real world
You will craft, and receive feedback on, an elevator pitch, a short statement about your role and talents. You will learn how to analyse the value of your connections, whether you are looking for a new job or seeking ways of being more effective in your current position. The course will also cover strategies for self-presentation, keeping in touch with your connections and ensuring that your networking relationships are based on mutual benefit and trust.
As well as honing your interpersonal skills in essential areas such as giving and seeking information, the course will cover the fundamentals of creating and managing your digital presence for networking on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook.

What topics will you cover?

• Nature and benefits of networking
• Barriers to networking and how to overcome them
• Frameworks for self-assessment and communicating professional strengths and interests
• Interpersonal skills including giving and receiving feedback, listening and using appropriate body language
• Online communication in a professional context
• Fundamentals of brand equity as applied to individuals
• Monitoring, evaluation and planning for improving the mutual value of networking activity

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

• Apply the principles of effective networking
• Improve your impression-management skills in a professional context
• Develop your analytical and prioritisation skills
• Identify, select and use online tools to enhance your digital presence
• Develop the potential of your personal brand