| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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The last few weeks have seen some strong examples in the UK of the way that social media is changing our society.
Nick Griffin's appearance on BBC's Question Time sent Twitter and Facebook crazy with viewpoints strongly expressed, realtime feedback on his performance and satirical videos making the rounds at astonishing speed.
An article by a little known journalist in a newspaper also sparked people into action. I certainly hadn't heard of Jan Moir before her name appeared all over my Twitter and Facebook feeds. I wasn't even initially interested in what the fuss was about, until it just became too much and I had to look!
You can argue that we'd be better off without giving people like Nick Griffin and Jan Moir the oxygen of publicity, but at least we are seeing real debate. People in the UK have been more engaged in politics in the last year than at any time in my memory.
Whichever way you look at it, times are changing.
(*If you don't know who Nick Griffin and Jan Moir are, and what the fuss is about, I'm sure you'll find out if you search for comments about them on Twitter or Facebook!)
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I have the privilege of speaking at the Entrepreneurs in London event on the 17th November.
There are a range of excellent speakers at this event, sharing a wealth of information to help you drive your business forward.
Delegate tickets for the full day are priced at £295 + vat from the link above. We have three tickets to give away to subscribers to this e-zine. Please send your best networking tip to andy@lopata.co.uk by midnight tomorrow (Friday, 30th October). The best three entries will win a ticket each.
We will also have a stand at the National Business Expo, which runs alongside this event. Please come over and say hello if you are in the area.
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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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Taking the plunge
Networking Skill Tip |
Getting started when you first walk into a networking event can be difficult, particularly if you have a fear of approaching strangers.
It helps to get there early. It's much tougher walking into a room full of buzzy vibrant conversation than being one of the first there. People are more likely to approach you at the beginning of an event and involve you in their conversation.
If you do know people there, feel free to speak to them first. Just don't spend the whole event with them! Think of it as similar to getting into a hot bath. You don't jump in, you allow your body to adjust to the temperature first. Chatting to people with whom you're already comfortable allows you to settle before moving on.
If your friends can introduce you to someone new, that's even better. Have you noticed that if we are introduced to someone by a mutual acquaintance, the same fear of meeting strangers doesn't exist?
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Three Steps to Referral Heaven
Networking Strategy Tip |
Last time out we looked at what isn't a referral. As promised, here are the
'Three Steps to Referral Heaven'.
STEP ONE - The person referring you
identified someone who has a problem you may be able to solve.
STEP TWO - They talk to your prospect, who is
interested in speaking with you.
STEP THREE - Your prospect is expecting your
call.
Referrals are the best form of business
information you can receive. Like a recommendation, they are more powerful than
tips or leads because your prospect knows about you in advance of your
conversation. Unlike a recommendation, you are in control of the conversation;
rather than you waiting for the telephone to ring, your prospect is expecting
your call.
Where
companies go so wrong is for accepting tips, leads and recommendations when
they could improve the quality of information they receive. If someone offers
you a tip, try to find out more. If they give you a name and a number, ask if
they could introduce you. Similarly, if they tell you they have recommended
you, ask if you can be introduced.
After
all, if someone likes and trusts you enough to share such information or
recommend you, would they be willing to take the next step and make it easier
for you?
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The personal touch
Online Social Networking Tip
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When you communicate with people online, it's so important to add a personal touch. Virtual communication loses a lot of the benefit of tone of voice and body language that we enjoy when speaking in person or even on the phone.
Sites like LinkedIn are very helpful in offering templates for various messages, such as seeking to connect or asking for a recommendation.
Try to avoid using these templates unless you are simply following up with an already strong contact. It looks as though little thought has gone into the process and you could even be sending the same message to a lot of people.
Do you prefer to respond to mass messages or personal notes? Give others the same courtesy and put a little extra thought into your online communication.
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Stop going to networking events!
Video Tip |
Are you running around like crazy going to different networking events? Are they producing the results you need?
Sometimes it's worth taking a step back and changing your approach. I suggest an alternative approach in this video, which will help you become a more effective networker.
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| Andy recommends... |
The growth of social media has provided a platform for people who have something to say. More than that, people with positive original ideas that can change the way others behave have been presented with a tremendous opportunity to be recognised and build their reputations.
In '24 Carat Bold, The Standard for REAL Thought Leaders', Mindy Gibbins-Klein looks at the attributes of thought leaders and how you can build a reputation as an expert in your field.
Mindy feels strongly about who decides whether someone is a thought leader and the importance of raising the bar. She contends that the label of a 'thought leader' is too often conferred by academia or the media (through celebrity). In the book she shows how you can take the mantle for yourself.
Taking in topics such as networking, speaking in public, blogging and PR, this book covers a multitude of key business skills. Mindy's own expertise is in book-writing and, unsurprisingly, this skill comes under the spotlight too.
24 Carat Bold is light reading and easy to take key tips from and implement them in your business. It's certainly well placed to help you take a lead.
You can find out more about the book, and the competition Mindy is running alongside its launch at 24 Carat Bold's website.
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The Verbal Business Card
The National Networker |
If you've met me or read my thoughts over some time, you will probably be aware that I'm not the biggest fan of the concept of an 'elevator pitch'. This is the one minute advert that some networking experts suggest you should spring into as soon as someone asks 'what do you do?' at a networking event.
Despite my objection to elevator pitches, I do agree with fellow networkers that you should be able to get across your business succinctly when someone asks you and is genuinely interested. Most of us, however, struggle with this, turning people's interest off straight away.
In her latest article for The National Networker Lillian Bjorseth looks at the role of the 'Verbal Business Card' and how to construct the ideal response.
You can read Lillian's article on putting your elevator pitch together here.
Don't forget, if you like this article, you can receive a range of networking articles from across the US and globally every week through a free subscription to The National Networker. You can sign up here.
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| Just for Fun |
We haven't had a frustrating, mind bending, teeth gnashing game in here for a while. So close your email inbox, turn the phone off, close the door and....
Sort these frogs out!
 I thought of being sadistic and making you wait for three weeks for the solution if you haven't managed it...but I can't do that to you!
To find out what you should have done, click here. | |
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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, or you are interested in booking me for a speech or training session for your team, you can contact me on:
Tel: 07930 417833
Skype: andylopata
I look forward to hearing from you.
Andy
© All material copyright H & A Lopata ltd 2009. All rights reserved.
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Are you a professional services firm with more than 5 employees?
Are you getting the results from your networking that you'd like?
Are you getting a steady flow of introductions from other professional services firms?
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We are launching a limited number of Professional Services Networking and Referral Strategy Groups.
Each group of fifteen will comprise five professionals from three firms in
non-competing but complementary business fields.
The overall objective is to substantially increase each firm's return on investment from networking both in general and by building on the synergy with each other.
For more information and to discuss this further please contact Harvey Lopata on 01992 450488 or email harvey@lopata.co.uk
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| Connecting...Live! |
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12th November
6.30pm-9.30pm
Riding the Recovery Wave, Networking in the Upswing
Apartment 195
195 Kings Road
Chelsea, London SW3 5ED
(please note the change of venue from the last newsletter)
Book your place here
17th November
Entrepreneurs in London
National Business Expo
6pm-8pm
New Connaught Rooms,
61 - 65 Great Queen Street
London
WC2B 5DA
Register here
18th November
European Young Professionals
Global Entrepreneurship Week.
7pm-10pm
I'll be compering this event. Details will be published on my Facebook and Twitter pages when available
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In other people's words:
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"Andy
recently led a networking event at One
Alfred Place entitled Riding the Recovery Wave. It
was informative, entertaining and offered plenty to anyone who might have
thought they already knew everything there is to know about networking.
There was
a truly cohesive feeling amongst the attendees at the end of the event and I've
already noticed many of them putting into practice what they learnt.
In
addition, of all the events I've organised at One Alfred Place, I have never received so
much unsolicited thanks and positive feedback as I did following this. I'd
recommend Andy's services - whether for presentations or more intimate training
sessions - wholeheartedly."
Emma Mortimore
Membership Secretary
One Alfred Place
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