| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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We tend to focus on networking as a business tool but should never overlook its power elsewhere. Charities rely on networks to reach the funding targets they need, while I have written about networking in politics on more than one occasion. Community projects also rely on the networks of those in the community to achieve their goals.
Almost twenty years ago I was on the periphery of an immensly powerful campaign that used networking connections to achieve a seemingly impossible goal. The football club I support, Charlton Athletic, had left our home ground, The Valley, in 1985, and soon a campaign grew to get the club back home.
After the necessary finance was in place, the club found the route blocked by the local authority's planning committee. A group of supporters got together under the banner of The Valley Party and campaigned in almost every seat in the area during the local elections in 1990. In an amazing result for a single issue party, they amassed 11% of the vote with almost 15,000 votes. The campaign was exceptional, a lot of which was due to the connections and experience of many of those involved. The Chair of the Planning Committee lost his seat on the Council and the Club soon received the required authority and moved back in 1992.
I was reminded of this campaign when I met Paul Goodwin of BuyStirlingAlbion recently. Faced with the threat of their club going out of business, fans of Stirling Albion Football Club in Scotland are getting together with the aim of buying the club and becoming the first wholly supporter owned football league club in the UK.
The aim is not just to work together to buy the Club but to then make it a hub of the local community, bringing a mix of skills together to revive both the Club and connect many local businesses and people.
The project aims to get 20,000 people to sign up Worldwide, far in excess of their average attendance, and have used their networks to get backing from the Sports Drinks firm Soccerade and FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.
This week, to coincide with the All England Championships at Wimbledon, the campaign have announced the support of Andy and Jamie Murray. Contacts gained, unsurprisingly, through old fashioned networking, with one of the campaign team playing golf at the same club as their grandfather providing the key link.
It's a tough challenge but, as Charlton fans proved, one that is achievable if people pool their talents and connections. Networking is all about achieving more together than anyone could do individually, and this is another excellent example of such a project and why it doesn't always have to be about business.
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Last week I recorded a new CD/MP3, which should be available soon.
Recorded with Sital Ruparelia of Six Figure Career Management, 'How to Use Your Network to Find a Job' is designed to help the growing number of jobseekers get the connections and information they need to find a new position as quickly as possible.
We are looking for companies who can help us distribute this CD. Who do you know who has announced large redundancies recently or who helps jobseekers? Any introductions would be very helpful.
Thanks for your help.
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Happy Networking!
Andy
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Real connections
Networking Skill Tip |
Hopefully you have realised by now that I don't believe that networking is simply a numbers game. In fact, I would be much happier making one 'real connection' at an event than collecting ten business cards.
What do I mean by 'real connection'?
Quite simply, I look to meet people with whom I can build rapport and develop a relationship. Very often they will be people with whom I share something in common, whether it's a shared interest or similar beliefs about business. We will feel comfortable in each other's company and conversation will flow from an early stage.
These are people who I know I will stay in touch with. People who will remember me, and as we get to know each other better, will help me if they are in a position to and vice versa.
People whose business cards you simply collect will forget you within minutes of a conversation. If you make a real connection, you can build the type of friendship that produces some tangible benefits from your networking for years to come.
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You're not alone
Networking Strategy Tip |
'No Man is an Island'. John Donne, Meditation XVII
It's very easy to get caught in a trap in business. Whether we work for ourselves or for someone else, when we hit an obstacle too few people feel comfortable showing vulnerability by asking for help.
This is where being a member of a Mastermind Group can be so powerful. Whether you join a formal network or form your own, being surrounded on a regular basis by a group of peers who can hold you to account, feedback ideas to help you break past your challenges and who can support you when you take on a big project, can make a tremendous difference.
I am a member of two such groups and they've been instrumental both in guiding major business transformation and in providing the small tips that can make a big difference.
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Hide and Seek
Online Social Networking Tip
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If you are a member of LinkedIn, do you hide your network or allow your connections to view it? If it's the former, why?
As I view it, LinkedIn enables users to connect the people they trust within their networks. If you connect only with people you have a good relationship with and whom you are happy to connect, you shouldn't have an issue sharing your network with them.
If you are closing your network, take a step back and ask yourself why you are on LinkedIn, what you hope to gain from membership and, equally importantly, what you are willing to offer.
If you do hide your network, I'd be interested in hearing your reasons for doing so and how you use LinkedIn.
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Do you really need to pay?
Your Business Channel Video Tip |
 Many businesses look to financial incentives to encourage people to refer them. Yet if you don't get the basics right first, and prove that you are worthy of their referrals, it won't make any difference. On the other hand, if people are proud of their association with you because you do deliver, do you really need to pay them for their advocacy? I discuss this in more detail in this video from the Your Business Channel archives.
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| Andy recommends... |
There are many excellent blogs to read, and so little time to read them! You may choose to regularly read blogs on your field of expertise, or on areas where you want to develop your skills. It may be that political blogs are your things, or you prefer to follow experts from your favourite sport. One of my favourite blogs is written by a good friend of mine, David McQueen. David is an expert on communications, but he reserves his Dave Speaks blog for his own views on a wide range of subjects. As he quotes at the top of the page, "The time has come, my little friends, to talk of other things" - Walrus, Alice in Wonderland. From his religious views, to the reaction to the British Nationalist Party gaining seats locally, Dave seeks opinion and isn't frightened to share his. His Facebook updates attract more comment than anyone else I know and he isn't frightened of raising contentious issues and encouraging debate. Dave Speaks is an entertaining and thought provoking blog and well worth a visit. |
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Back to Basics
The National Networker |
In his monthly column in The National Networker, UK Bureau Chief Dave Clarke goes back to basics, summarising Alan Rae's comments from his recent research into the attitude of networkers.
In the blog, Dave talks about the key skills needed to network effectively and build trust. You can read Dave's column here.
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| Just for Fun |
A classic bit of music today from Joe Cocker at Woodstock 1969, with subtitles for the hard of understanding.
After all, we all need a little help from our friends!
(Thanks to Jim Ziegler for sending this through to me)
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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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Free networking coaching sessions...courtesy of the Government!
I was lucky enough to spend a few hours with Andy discussing my networking strategy (or absence thereof). I came away with a much clearer understanding of what I needed to do, in order to develop a more commercially focused approach to my business networking.
Andy is a true expert in business networking and the strategies that can make it commercially successful.
John F Galvin
Managing Director
IO1 ltd
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If you're a small or medium sized business (5-250 employees) based in London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire or Bedfordshire you may qualify for a fully funded two hour coaching/consultancy session with me as part of the Government's Train to Gain scheme.
We can also offer subsidised training for your teams under the same scheme.
If you'd like to know more, please contact Harvey Lopata at harvey@lopata.co.uk.
07930 633245
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| Connecting...Live! |
| 1st July
6pm-8pm
How to Develop a Networking Strategy
Fresh Business Thinking
Private Dining Rooms of Smith & Williamson, 25 Moorgate, London, EC2R 6AY
Fully Booked
6th July
9.30am-5pm
Building Social Capital in the Workplace
Pilot Seminar
Joint workshop with Neil Urquhart of Clear Transition.
Central Hall, Storey's Gate, Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH
*No cost - we will be looking for your feedback and will be filming the event.
Places restricted. Please email andy@lopata.co.uk to find out if you are eligible to attend.
13th July
6pm-8.30pm
How to Barack Obama Yourself and your Business
with Rod Sloane
King George Conference and Banqueting Centre
713 Eastern Avenue
Newbury Park
Ilford,
Redbridge
IG2 7RH
I will be MC'ing this seminar, presented by Rod Sloane.
Book Here
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In other people's words:
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"The best talk I have seen at a networking event, ever!"
Andrew H Long
Vice President, Global Wealth Management
Alliance Bernstein
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"Having asked Andy to be the chairman of The Retail Conference 2008, I was so delighted with the results I invited him back to chair again in 2009.
His success was measured on the quality of our delegates' feedback with regard to his style, ability and opening remarks - and that feedback was exceptional.
He introduced the concept of networking for personal and business benefits to an amassed crowd of 200 senior representatives from the UK retail sector - a topic not typically on their radar - and it was very well received. "
Clare Rayner
Founder, The Retail Conference
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"If you are looking to get the most from your referral marketing and networking activities you should look to Andy."
Richard Alvin. Managing Editor, Business Matters magazine
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