It’s no secret that COVID-19 has had an impact on how we network with one another. Aakash Patel, the Founder and President of Elevate, Inc. spoke to Super Bowl LV Business Connect member companies on Wednesday, June 3rd. Super Bowl LV Business Connect is a partnership between the National Football League and the Super Bowl LV Tampa Host Committee. Business Connect has two primary goals: (1) to link diverse Tampa suppliers to contracting opportunities related to Super Bowl LV and (2) provide professional networking and development programming for all member businesses. Aakash shared his COVID-19 networking tips to over 200 vendors during his presentation. His main focuses were to help individuals: gain confidence in their networking ability, increase their willingness to take risk, and implement a targeted approach to connecting.
Aakash made it clear from the start that networking takes work— it is even in the word “netWORK”. Vendors should be proactive, and interested in conversations with those they are connecting with. It is important to add value while networking, not just for yourself, but for the one you are networking with as well. Since they are building relationships, it is important to recognize that a connection goes both ways, and stronger networks will be fostered if they are offering skills just as much as receiving them.
While networking, it is also important to create a Follow-Up Plan. These additional steps, recommended by Aakash, are to:
- Developing an Excel Contact Sheet
- Creating a Word template for a Follow-Up Email
- Creating a Word template for a Touching Base Email
Aakash also focused on the importance of social media and different social media platforms, as they can be extremely helpful to vendors strike a presence on social media. Some platforms that can be helpful to vendors are LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Aakash also recommended other websites that can help vendors who want to dig deeper into their social media organization and planning, by utilizing Hootsuite, SproutSocial, or Bugger.
The importance of keeping up with the ever-changing ways of networking is vital, and Aakash’s words to the vendors allowed them to pave their own path to more meaningful and successful connections in the Tampa Bay area.
Business Connect
Wednesday’s webinar kicked off the Super Bowl LV Business Connect Summer Series Rethink, Refocus, Reopen. The Business Connect program serves as an advocate for women-, minority-, veteran-, and LGBTQ-owned businesses who have the experience and skill sets to be event-ready and competitive within the marketplace. Through Business Connect member companies are better positioned for future business and ensures that they are more competitive in their local market post Super Bowl.
