Developing a Business Network

First Nations of Québec and Labrador
Economic Development Commission
Developing a Business Network
March 31 and April 1, 2009; Val D’Or
Course Outline
Presented by: Gilles Simard, MBA
Introduction
Professional success is not solely the result of one’s knowledge and/or skills in a particular field. Nor
is it solely the results of hard, painstaking work. While these two attributes together are key
elements, professional achievement may still not come.
However, professionals who have the ability to create strategic relations as a way to broaden their
field of action and create new opportunities also hold the third and final key to business success.
Networking is the tool by which professionals can disseminate and feature their skills and
accomplishments.
This training course aims at tooling CEDOs in an effort to help them make better use of their
business networks and, notably, understand the ethical conduct required to further develop their
network.
Particularly, this training course looks to develop the following:
1. Sound knowledge of business networking and understanding the positive fallout a wellstructured business network can generate for a CEDO’s organization and career;
2. The skills and qualities required for constructive business networking;
3. Knowledge and understanding of one’s current network;
4. The tools to further enhance one’s business network;
5. Networking ethics and appropriate conduct;
6. Traditional and modern networking tools.
Contents and Schedule
Skills
Developing sound knowledge of
business networking and
understanding the positive
fallout a well-structured
business network can generate
for a CEDO’s organization and
career
Identifying the skills and
qualities required for
constructive business
networking
Developing the tools to further
enhance one’s business
network
Contents
Learning Assignments
Schedule
Introduction: Networking background and
definitions
Discussion and presentations
Day 1
AM
Different networking types
Discussion and presentations
Day 1
AM
Why develop and maintain a business network
Discussion and presentations
Day 1
AM
Reflection on the type of networker you are, and
your networking investment
Individual reflection
Day 1
What makes a good networker
Discussion and presentations
Day 1
Networking, a matter of attitude
Group assignments supervised by
trainer
Days 1 and 2
Networking needs planning
Discussion, presentations and
practical assignments
Days 1 and 2
Networking as a technique
Discussion, presentations and
situation scenarios
Days 1 and 2
Discussion, presentations and
situation scenarios
Day 2
Traditional tools
Discussion and presentations
Day 2
Growing trend of networking on the Web
Discussion, presentations and
practical assignments
Day 2
The Golden Triangle of networking
Understanding networking
ethics and developing
appropriate conduct
Body language tells all
Can you judge the book by its cover?
Approaching and following up on contacts
Discovering traditional and
modern networking tools
References
Bazoge B., Dell’Aniello P.; Comment réussir des présentations managériales percutantes, Guérin
Université, 1992, 98 pages.
Cardinal L., Tremblay J.; Comment bâtir un réseau de contacts solide, Les éditions Transcontinental
et les Éditions de la Fondation de l’entrepreneurship, 1998, 140 pages.
Cardinal L., Duhamel R.; Réseautage d’affaires : Mode de vie, Les éditions Transcontinental et les
Éditions de la Fondation de l’entrepreneurship, 2004, 264 pages.
Duhamel R.; Adoptez l’attitude réseau; Développez et profitez de votre réseau de contacts,
Toutdesuite.net, 48 pages.
Richard B.; Psychologie des groupes restreints, Éditions deux continents, 2000, 135 pages.
Soulez B.; Cultivez votre réseau professionnel!, Éditions d’organisation, 1999, 165 pages.
Whetten David A., Cameron Kim S.; Developing management skills, fifth edition, Prentice Hall, 2002,
654 pages.