3 pointers: Network like a pro

Jan Davis (MBA ’79)

Alum Jan Davis (MBA ’79), president of Triangle Angel Partners and a highly engaged member of the local startup community, shares her three pointers for networking like a pro:

Networking is a two-way street. The most important advice is to not view networking as a one-way transaction – it should be reciprocal. You should never leave a networking meeting without asking the other party how you can help them.

Start early and never stop. Make the effort to stay in touch with key people in your network and share things that can help them, as well as things that might be able to ultimately help you.

Get social. Take advantage of some of the great tools that are out there. LinkedIn is fabulous for professional networking – I was an early adopter and have never ever regretted it.