| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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I've taken a new step in my own social media strategy this week, establishing a seperate page on Facebook for people to discuss and share networking tips, links and events.
As well as providing a 'one stop shop' for my own blogs, videos and newsletters, I will also post interesting links I come across and I encourage members to sign up and do the same.
There is a discussion page on the site as well, where you can share your own networking and referral tips, as well as ask questions which I will do my best to answer for you.
You can visit the page at www.facebook.com/networkingstrategy. Please join me there.
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I had the pleasure of being interviewed by 'Beermat Entrepreneur' author and Financial Times columnist Mike Southon recently about how individuals can turn to their network more effectively for the support they need. Mike's article is due to appear in his FT column this Saturday (25th July). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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Paying the penalty
Networking Skill Tip |
I was told of a wonderful solution recently to a common networking problem.
It's one of the most frequent sights at a networking event. People from the same company spending the evening speaking with their work colleagues, before walking out together and telling each other "that was a waste of time"!
One business owner has come up with a different approach to the issue. If his staff attend an event together and don't make the effort to meet new people, they have to pay for the events themselves. After all, he reasons, he doesn't need to pay for a social night out for them.
Before you, or your staff, go to an event remind yourselves of the reasons for going and set challenges that keep you on track. If you are attending to build your network, make sure you meet new people.....or set a forfeit if you stay in your comfort zone.
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It's who knows you
Networking Strategy Tip |
One of the key themes of recent talks I have given is the importance of networking to become better known. You've most probably heard the phrase 'it's not what you know, it's who you know'. That, however, is not the most important thing.
It's not just who you know, it's who knows you and what they say about you.
Where do you need to raise your profile? Who do you need to be talking about you and what do you need them to say? Make sure that you know the answers to those questions.
If you don't, how can others help you get the message out?
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Count to ten
Online Social Networking Tip
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A few weeks ago I talked about how you could destroy your credibility by a misplaced comment in an online network.
Similarly, it can be easy to let frustration or anger out using forums and blogs, and lose a lot of respect and friends in the process.
Before you post in anger, or criticise others in open forum, make sure you have taken the time to be sure you're happy with what you are posting and that you're on firm ground.
Count to ten. Post something you later regret and you may find that the damage to your reputation and the destruction of trust is very difficult to repair.
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How to get the most out of Networking
Video Tip |
 I was recently interviewed by David Bowler, co-founder of Incisive Edge. David and his Partner Julia Payne have recently launched a new network for developing businesses who want to grow with a view to exit, The Edge. David asked me how businesses could use networks effectively and what role the network organisers had to play in making sure members got the maximum benefit. You can watch the interview here.
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| Andy recommends... |
Two good friends of mine have recently published a book written together that combines great advice and tips with pure enjoyment.
Between them, Alan Stevens (whose e-zine I modelled this newsletter on and mentioned in my first 'Andy Recommends' column) and Jeremy Nicholas have clocked up countless hours behind the mic and in front of the camera as presenters, interviewers and, in Alan's case, spokesman.
In Media Masters they take turns to interview a wide range of celebrities about how they handle various media. From true masters such as Michael Parkinson on the art of conversation, through sporting stars thrust into the spotlight such as Will Carling, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Rebecca Adlington, to people who have adapted alternative media, including 'Alex' creators Charles Peattie and Russell Taylor or Tweeters such as Phil Jupitus and the BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones.
One of the highlights of the book is the one that isn't an interview. Instead, Jeremy Nicholas, who lays proud claim to having been punched by the late Brian Clough, recollects his many encounters with Old Big 'Ead.
The wide range of subjects offer comprehensive advice on approaching, and being approached by, the media, together with tips that any business can use in the modern world. The lessons drawn are neatly summarised by Alan and Jeremy in the concluding chapter.
This is both an enlightening and entertaining read.
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Working within
The National Networker |
Networking is not just an 'external' activity, forging links between individual businesses and business people. It is also something that should be taken seriously by bigger businesses who want their organisations to run more effectively.
This is a theme of a new column by Leanne Hoagland-Smith in The National Networker. In her first article, Leanne quotes Marcel Proust, "the true
voyage of discovery is not seeking new landscapes, but seeing the same
landscape with new eyes."
You can read Leanne's latest column here.
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| Just for Fun |
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SEXES
Please note, the views expressed in this feature are not necessarily the views of the editor. <ahem>!
ARE WOMEN BORN THIS WAY?
ARE MEN BORN THIS WAY?  | |
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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 [email protected].
07930 633245
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| Connecting...Live! |
| 26th August
1pm-4.30pm
Networking, not Not-Working - How to make the room work for you
Service Network
Newcastle Racecourse, High Gosforth Park, NE3 5HP
Book Here
23rd September
8am-5pm
Chairman, The Retail Conference
Cavendish Conference Centre
22 Duchess Mews
London W1G 9DT
Book Here
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In other people's words:
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"The
Swedish Chamber of Commerce has had Andy Lopata as guest speaker for three
consecutive years and the seminars have attracted several hundreds of
attendees.
The hands-on advice and Andy's inspiring way of conveying his
message have been very much appreciated amongst the Chamber's Members, to whom
the art of networking is essential in times like these. We are already planning
for Andy's return in 2010!"
Emma Berndtzen, Events Manager,
Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom
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"Andy
Lopata gave a 30 minute talk on 'Acquisition of Business Through
Introductions'. This was one of the high points of the Academy for Chief
Executives Southern Regional Conference held at Warren House and over 100
Academy members went away richer for the experience of listening to Andy's
talk on getting referral business.
Referral
selling really came to life with Andy's inspirational style and his content
laden talk brings great value to any audience where sales are important."
Joe Adams
Chairman, Academy for Chief
Executives Southern Regional Conference 2009
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"There
are people that write about it and people that talk about it, but Andy Lopata
is someone who actually does it!
A true authority on relationship marketing in
all of its forms, Andy provides inspirational insight and deeply practical
know-how in networking and referrals."
Rob Brown, Reputation expert and
author of Amazon bestseller 'How to Build Your Reputation'
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