Will someone please talk to me?
Networking Skill Tip |
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One of the biggest questions people ask me is how to start a conversation at a networking event.
The easiest step is to look for someone standing on their own and ask if you can join them. After all, they haven't come to a networking event for solitude!
If you can't find anyone on their own, be a student of body language. Look at the groups and pairs around the room. Do people look as though they are deep in conversation or are they relaxed and open? Are they making direct, intense eye contact or looking around the room?
Look for 'open' groups, rather than closed. In other words, would it be natural for you to join the group or would you be forcing your way in?
Most importantly, show respect. If someone is speaking, don't interrupt and introduce yourself. Wait for a natural break in the conversation, join in if appropriate or wait to be invited. If it feels as though you'd be interrupting a deep conversation, smile nicely and walk away. You can always reintroduce yourself later.
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Winning your Champions Over
Networking Strategy Tip |
Do you know where your best business is coming from? Can you list your top ten introducers of new business?
Write that list and ask yourself what motivates those people to refer you. It will be different for everyone. Write down at least two 'inspirations' by each name. When was the last time you proactively did something to encourage them to refer you?
All too often we write off people who used to refer us but have 'dried up'. We look for someone else instead. It's so much easier to focus on why people no longer refer us and try to bring them back on board.
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How do you eat an elephant?
Online Social Networking Tip
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Confused by the choice of online networks and the amount of functionality on each? A new social network is born every day, and most of them seem to boast many of the same members.
It can be very confusing for the new user, and tempting to ditch them all and not bother. After all, haven't we got enough to do without sitting and staring at our laptop for even longer as we battle with online networks?
Membership of such sites can be extremely beneficial and very powerful, helping business dreaming of a global reach build connections across the world, helping others find their dream clients through existing contacts and helping even more to learn from each other and share information.
The perserverance can be worth it. My advice is to pick one network to start with and master the functionality one step at a time. Don't be put off by all of the menus and options, pick one and learn about it first. When you are comfortable with that, move on.
As you build connections, they'll help you find your way around even more of the benefits.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
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Do You Trust Me?
yourBusinessChannel.com Video Tip |
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How can you possibly refer people you don't trust?
Networking brings us together with people we've never met before, and they're looking for us to buy from them, connect them or refer them. How is it possible when you don't trust them?
In this video from yourBusinessChannel.com, I look at the nature of trust and how you build it in networking.
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Is your networking producing a return?
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How effective is your referral strategy? Do you know how many referrals you received last year and where they came from?
Are you getting the return on investment you need from your networking? How do you know which groups are right for you to join?
If you're serious about growing your business, you need an effective networking and referrals strategy. That's where you're in luck and I may be able to help you!
You can order the CD set here.
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| Andy recommends... |
 Each issue of the newsletter, I'll be looking to recommend events, training courses, books and newsletters I feel might be of interest. Dipping into the library of books I have enjoyed in recent years, a bright pink paperback jumps out at me for more than one reason! Mind the Gap was co-authored by South Africans Graeme Codrington and Sue Grant-Marshall and explains wonderfully the characteristics of different generations and how we can learn to work more effectively with people of all ages. A key networking skill of great value to us all.
I have been fortunate enough to see Graeme present twice, a three hour workshop on this subject matter and a 30 minute, incredibly powerful, speech on sustainability. He is one of the most impressive speakers and authors I have met and is now based in the UK.
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| The National Networker |
Having spent a year reporting on networking in the UK as Bureau Chief for The National Networker, I am pleased to report that I am now a Featured Columnist.
Each month I will be writing on the subject of Connecting is not Enough and giving you tips on putting your networking strategy into place.
My February column, 'The Need for a Strategic Approach to Networking' can be read here.
The guys at The National Networker have brought together some great writers from across the US and beyond and are introducing more and more benefits for subscribers. Check it out when you have a couple of minutes, it's well worth signing up.
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| Just for Fun |
The wonders of modern technology never cease to amaze. You can have hours of fun with this Super-HD picture from the American Inauguration ceremony. Open the picture here and then zoom in on any part of the photo. And then zoom again and again and again. Give it a chance to focus and then find out exactly what it was like to be in the crowd. A special prize if you can spot Jacques Clouseau! | |
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I hope you've enjoyed the newsletter and look forward to your feedback.
If you're serious about developing a networking and referrals strategy that can take your business to a new level, you can contact me on:
Tel: 07930 417833
Skype: andylopata
I look forward to hearing from you.
Andy |
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| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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Thank you for the fantastic feedback I've received since the first issue of this newsletter was launched a couple of weeks ago.
I have become a 'Twit' since the last newsletter and joined the booming ranks on Twitter. Don't know what I'm talking about? Click here.
If you're already a 'Twit' and want to 'Follow' me, my username is the very creative 'andylopata'.
Please do keep your feedback coming in, and ideas for what you would like to see me cover in this newsletter.
If you have received this in error and don't want to receive future editions, please use the unsubscribe link at the foot of the email and accept my apologies.
If you like what you read, please feel free to forward it and invite others to subscribe.
Happy Networking!
Andy
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| Connecting...Live! |
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Are you attending Confex at Earls Court this year?
If so, come and join me as I run a networking session for ISES between 4 and 5pm.
More details to follow.
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