Business Networking
Learn effective networking skills and build stronger connections with people you meet.
Enroll in CourseCourse overview
Online
29 online lessons
AI feedback
Digital certificate
5 practice exercises
3 hours of learning
What you will learn
Techniques for building meaningful relationships with a wide range of people
How to win new business clients and advance your career
Why body language, what you say, and how you say it impacts relationships
Understand how to network effectively online
Examine ways to follow up and maintain relationships
Practice exercises
Access the practice exercises either online (in your browser) or in virtual reality (if you have a VR headset).
Find new business connections through networking
Effective networking is an important aspect of career development. Building relationships with a wide range of people can win you new business clients, increase your chance of finding a new job, as well as advance your career.
Learn how to enjoy networking, make others feel at ease talking to you, how to enter and exit a group of people, and how to build meaningful connections. You'll learn different networking techniques with online classes and then practice these in virtual environments.
Online learning, done differently
We combine online learning with practice for a unique learning approach. At certain points throughout this public speaking course, you'll practice what you've learned.
Learn online, anytime
Complete a series of videos, quizzes, and case studies at your own pace - available to access at any time.
Practice with exercises
Build your networking skills by putting them to the test with interactive exercises.
Improve with feedback
Receive instant feedback on your performance to help identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Course content
- Overview of the VirtualSpeech course, including how to access the exercises and how they will improve your networking skills by letting you practice in realistic environments.
- Course overview
- Welcome
- Why networking is essential
- Before attending a networking event, spend time preparing in order to get the most out of it. We discuss how to research the event and other participants, what to wear, and deliver an elevator pitch.
- Finding the right networking events
- Research on the event and attendees
- Dress well, dress distinctively
- Get properly equipped
- Elevator pitch
- Practice: Elevator pitch
- Learn how to connect with people by building rapport with them. Active listening, body language, storytelling, and empathy are all covered in this section, which you'll have to chance to practice.
- Become an effective listener
- Body language and attentiveness
- Good storytellers create rapport
- The importance of empathy
- Practice: Networking essentials
- Building rapport with presentation skills
- This section covers essential tips for the networking event, including how to start and exit a conversation, conversation starters, how to enter a group conversion, and more.
- General networking tips
- How to exit a conversation
- Networking conversation starters
- Practice: Table Topics
- How to tell a great story
- Networking Solo?
- Dealing with people who disagree with you
- Practice: Advanced networking
- Learn how to use social media and content creation to grow your online network. Discover how best to follow up, maintain connections you have made, and connect with people you didn't get to meet.
- Network through social media
- Create content to expand your network
- Following up and staying connected
- Connect with someone you didn't meet
- A review of different networking opportunities and how to find them. We cover everything from conferences to local meetup events, to hosting your own dinners.
- Identify networking opportunities
- Hosting your own Events
- Hosting event alternatives
Your instructor
Joseph has led technical teams at companies such as Bookham and BML, and presented at events including the AUVSI, SEG, and UAVNET conferences. He has 15 patents to his name and is a senior member of IEEE with a PhD in Electro-Physics from Cornell University.
Practice exercises
Practice your networking skills with interactive and engaging exercises. At key points in the course, you'll practice in the following exercises.
Note: These exercises can be completed online (in your browser) or in virtual reality (if you have a VR headset).
Networking Essentials
Practice active listening, eye contact, and building rapport with people at a virtual networking event. Learn the fundamentals of networking in this exercise.
Networking Conversations with AI
Have conversations with AI-powered avatars (ChatGPT) and learn how to deliver an elevator pitch, tell a story, introduce yourself, and more.
Elevator Pitch
Practice your elevator pitch in a virtual elevator. Practice answering AI-generated questions after your pitch.
Answering Questions
Practice quick thinking by answering common questions while in a conversation at a networking event.
Active Listening Exercises
Two active listening exercises, the classic Goldilocks exercise, and a conference call exercise. Quizzes at the end of both to test your listening skills.
Roleplay with AI-Powered Avatars
Develop your networking skills with ChatGPT-powered avatars, who adapt to what you say in a dynamic and personalized way. Practice opening conversations, your elevator pitch, leaving conversations, and more.
370,000+
Learners
4x
Faster than classroom training
6
Learning awards
What's included in this course
- 3 hours of learning
- 2 case studies
- 5 practice exercises
- All exercise features
- Quizzes and assessment
- Earn a digital course certificate
- Flexible, self-led format
- Access to updated content
This course is in the following learning paths
