| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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I trust that you had a good Easter break and have got back into the swing of things as we head into the next quarter of a challenging year for many of us.
I don't recall ever having seen so many of my friends losing their jobs at one time, the recession has certainly hit many people and many companies. This is a time when networking becomes more important than ever, whether you are in business or worried about your job.
If you haven't sat down and worked out quite what networking can do for your business or your career, I would urge you do so now. Use the tips I share in this newsletter, discuss with other people you know how they get the most from their networking, and set a plan down on paper.
If you need some help and support, please drop me an email and let me know. I'm always happy for you to bounce one or two ideas off me to get you going. I am also building a library of resources to help you get that strategy into place.
The good news is that you may now be able to benefit from Government funding to cover the cost of a coaching
session from me and a generous contribution to a training workshop for your
management team if required. Initially this is for small and medium sized businesses (5-249 employees, including part-time staff) in the London area, although we may well be able to support other areas soon.
If you want to find out if you qualify for this support, please contact Harvey at harvey@lopata.co.uk or on 01992 450488 within the UK.
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Happy Networking!
Andy
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Get in the driver's seat
Networking Skill Tip |
Networking is not a spectator sport.
Whether they are independent groups or run by international organisations, a business network is only as good as the sum of its parts. If you are a member of a network, you have a responsibility for its success, or otherwise.
In some cases that simply means turning up when you promise to, inviting other people to attend when appropriate or looking after people who are struggling to integrate with others. Sometimes, it means getting your hands dirty.
If there is a committee of members running a group, volunteer to participate. Not only are you taking your share of the task of making the network work for everyone, you will get to know more fellow members and raise your profile. Additionally, you can help shape the network, making it a more positive reflection of what you are looking for.
Networks need drivers, not passengers. Get involved and help your network succeed. |
What does success look like?
Networking Strategy Tip |
If you've joined a networking group to generate more business, do you know how much? Have you got a clear picture of exactly what types of referrals you are looking for and what they look like? Can you communicate those needs clearly to your fellow members?
If you haven't done the groundwork, how can you possibly expect people to be able to help you? They may know what you do, even who you do it for, but do your network recognise how to spot a potential referral for you and are they able to get that person to want to speak to you?
Being able to educate your network to help you starts with educating yourself. So many people join networks without any clear idea of what success looks like. As a result, they meander along without really asking for anything or settle for 'low hanging fruit', asking for referrals or business fellow members are apparently well placed to offer.
Work out exactly what business you need to make your investment in networking a success. Once you have done that, share it with your network so that they are much better placed to help you achieve it.
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Mixing business and pleasure
Online Social Networking Tip
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In the last few months, there has been a rise in the number of people boasting two profiles on Facebook. Concerned by the horror stories in the media about people being fired, losing jobs or being thrown out of college because of indiscrepancies caught on the social web, many are making the choice to keep their personal and business lives seperate.
While I understand the reasons behind this, I think it is a shame. For the first time ever it has been made so easy for us to educate our personal network about what we do in a non-intrusive manner. No-one is suggesting that you force your business down other people's throats, but how many opportunities are missed, both to help and to be helped, by not sharing our business lives with those who care the most about us?
Inviting your professional contacts into your personal life also has its benefits, along with some pretty obvious dangers! After all, we've always been taught that 'people buy people', here's your chance to let others know more about you, the person.
I have found that I've forged a lot of deeper relationships with others in my professional network because we have found that we share similar passions outside of work. As I mentioned, there are obvious dangers, but common sense and a degree of moderation should, in most cases, help protect you.
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Get out of your cave
Video Tip |
BT Tradespace recently interviewed me and asked what benefits online networks offered to small businesses.
In this video from the interview, I discuss the way online networks help us to get out of our cave and stay in touch with people with greater ease than ever before.
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| Andy recommends... |
 With the number of networks competing for your attention now, it can feel like a lottery finding the right event for you. There are a growing number of websites devoted to bringing business networks together in one place, one of the longest standing and best respected is Business Scene. The Business Scene team have invested a lot of time building relationships with many of the major business networks nationwide and their franchisees have been building similar ties with independent groups in their own area. As a result, where Business Scene have a strong presence, there is a good chance that you will find a snapshot of the opportunities available to you locally. You can also add your own events, or events that you know about, to the site. In addition, Business Scene run regular events of their own around the country, where many of the networks have a presence. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions of the network leaders and get the information you need to make the right choice for you. Visit Business Scene here |
Will you be my friend?
The National Networker |
Have you been inundated with people who want to become friends with you on Facebook, LinkedIn or other online networks? Wondering why you should share your personal memories or valued network with people you've never met from halfway across the World?
I address the growing issue of 'number-crunching' on online networks in my latest article for The National Networker and suggest a three-stage approach to online networking that makes sense for you and for your business.
You can read the article here.
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| Just for Fun |
If you've just recovered after 25 years of nightmares about The Flying Pickets, I can only apologise. Have they been reinvented for the 21st Century?
The Voca People
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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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'...and Death Came .... FREE!'
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For a short time only, we have a very special deal for you! We have just a handful of copies of the Amazon Number Two book '...and Death Came Third! The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public' left. Normally priced at �14.95 (and currently fetching �42 on Amazon!), these copies are available for free for the next thirty people who purchase my new audio programme, Networking in Ninety Minutes. This audio programme will give you simple tips to put effective networking and referrals strategies into place.
You can order Networking in Ninety Minutes here. Once you have completed your order, please send an email with the subject line 'Book Offer' to harvey@lopata.co.uk and we will include a copy of the book in with your CD set.
If you order the MP3 version of Networking in Ninety Minutes, please include an address in your email for us to send the book to.
Please note. This offer ends on April 20th 2009, depending on availability.
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| Connecting...Live! |
| 20th April
The Association for Conferences and Events(ACE)
The Importance of Networking in the Conference and Event Industry
Caledonian Club, 9 Halkin Street, Belgravia, London SW1X 7DR
Contact me if you are in the events industry and would like to attend
25th April
Minority Lawyers Conference
Your Network is your Net Worth
The Law Society, London
14th May
Academy for Chief Executives, London Regional Conference
Acquisition of Business through Introductions
Warren House, Kingston-upon-Thames, London
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