| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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On Monday evening the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and his counterparts from the two leading opposition parties met for a live television debate on Channel 4.
In itself this was a rare event. Major politicians in the UK have avoided US-style television debates during elections for many years. In the upcoming elections, however, this is changing. As well as this week's Chancellors' debate, we have a series of party leader debates to look forward to.
What was particularly interesting was the role social media played in the process. Shortly after the US Presidential inauguration, I wrote about President Obama's use of social media in winning both the Democratic nomination and then the Presidency. I have written elsewhere about the growth of social media in politics.
This week showed how quickly things are moving. We have been complaining for a number of years about the lack of engagement in politics by the UK electorate, yet there were 12,000 tweets during the one hour debate between the prospective Chancellors.
People are once again engaging in politics and that, I believe, has more to do with being given a medium to share their views (through social media) than the brilliance of our politicians.
The forthcoming election could be very interesting indeed.
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Sticking with UK politics, I was very concerned to hear that the two major parties are toying with the idea of incorporating a ban on all social media in the workplace in their election manifestos. Given the engagement discussed above, and the use of social networks by many politicians, it comes as something of a surprise, even if David Cameron has gone on record with his concerns about Twitter in the past.
Naturally, there is a surge of anger from many people about these proposals. A petition has been formed to allow people to express their opposition to any such move and I'd urge you to add your voice to the protest.
You can sign the petition, as well as reading what the parties and experts are saying, here.
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Happy Networking!
Andy
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24 - 7 - 30
Networking Skill Tip |
I'm often asked about how to follow up contacts you meet at a networking event.
One of the most popular processes I share was outlined by a delegate on one of my workshops a few years ago. The 24-7-30 approach is based on the principle that interacting with someone three times in the month after meeting them cements your relationships.
The approach dictates that you follow up with someone 24 hours after an event, 7 days later and again after 30 days.
Although I don't practice this as a matter of course, if I look back at the people who have become an integral part of my network after meeting at events, this pattern definitely applies. It may be an email, phone call and meeting. Or email, meeting and follow up. But those three touches in a month are certainly present.
If you choose this approach, make sure that each contact is natural and not clearly part of a process. In my experience, it works.
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What other people say about you
Networking Strategy Tip |
Social networking sites, particularly LinkedIn, have an added advantage you don't often hear referenced. Never before has it been so easy to collate testimonials about your work.
When asking for testimonials on such networks, think about what you want people to say about you. Is there much value in asking someone who hasn't experienced your services to share their opinion with prospective customers? What value can they add?
A good testimonial should help a potential client make the decision to buy. It should outline the problems you have solved and the value you bring, not talk about what a nice person you are.
The same applies when giving testimonials for others. Take some time to think about what you can say that will really make a difference, that gives that person's own marketing message a greater impact.
Have a look at the testimonials kindly provided for me on the right hand column of this bulletin for examples of what I mean.
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Picture Perfect
Online Social Networking Tip
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Social networks are not the place to be shy. Despite the fact that contact is online and not immediately face-to-face, you are still dealing with other people, and they want to get to know you.
That means that a good profile picture can make a huge difference. People don't want to see your dog, cat, favourite film star or company logo. They want to see you.
Make sure that you upload a warm, professional and engaging picture on your profile. It should be clearly visible in thumbnail form, for when you post on forums, so you need to be the focus of the picture, not a dot in the distance. And try to avoid head and shoulders passport style shots that don't convey your personality.
People still connect with people. If you can't be present in person, make sure that your image does the job for you.
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Working out your networking ROI
Your Business Channel Video Tip |
In the last issue of the newsletter we discussed making the right choices of networking group to join. Following on from that a good business decision involves understanding the return on any investment made in networking.
How do you work out your return on investment in networking? I discuss this in another visit to the Your Business Channel archives. |
| Andy recommends... |
"Stop faffing about and get on with it".
Strong words with which to open Mike Pagan's new book, Faff - The power of doing without achieving, but words which I am sure many of us need to hear on a regular basis.
According to Mike, 'Faff' is "to busy oneself doing other things than those which one set out to do...or non-productive time".
Urging the reader to get input from other people in their network, focus on the right priorities, eat healthily and cut out the noise around them, Mike shares a range of tips and techniques that will, he says, help us recover 20 minutes a day, or two working weeks a year.
Many of the suggestions that Mike makes will be familiar to you. That doesn't, however, mean you are implementing them. There are a range of ideas in this book that are simple to put into action and they are backed up by a range of templates to make it even easier.
The book is designed to be easy to read and accessible to pick up and dip in and out of. There are plenty of unnecessary distractions to shift our focus from where it needs to be. Perhaps this book is a necessary one.
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"Financial Capital cannot exist without who we
know and what we know."
The National Networker |
Adam Kovitz, Editor of The National Networker, writes about Relationship Capital, the value of the relationships we have. In his column last week he focused on the collapse of the big banks in the US and how important it is to them to engage with the public if they are to rebuild.
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 |
With Easter celebrations beginning tomorrow, I thought it might be timely to share how this time of year is marked elsewhere.
Easter on the small Greek island of Chios
means one thing - a massive firework battle, with over 50,000 rockets
raining down on two small towns.
Not the ideal time to hunt for Easter eggs!
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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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Who do you know who has a conference coming up?
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We are getting to the time of year where Associations and businesses are beginning to plan their agendas for Conferences.
All conferences thrive on encouraging attendees to network effectively with each other and make the most of the time they invest in going along.
That's where I come in! From Chairing the conferences to giving keynote speeches on how and why we network, I can bring the event to life and ensure delegates break out of their comfort zone, network with each other and learn valuable tips at the same time.
If your company or associations you are a member of hold frequent conferences, please consider recommending me to them as a speaker or event Chairman.
For more information and to discuss this further please contact Harvey Lopata on 01992 450488 or email harvey@lopata.co.uk
Thank you, your support is appreciated.
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Looking for...
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Bringing our networks together to help people find and fill jobs
Opportunity:
David Lawrence of Vine Resources, an IT Recruitment company, is looking for someone with at least five year's recruitment experience who has been a Team Leader in recruitment or a Managing Consultant in an agency environment.
Please contact Jane Nead for more information jane@holisticpink.co.uk
Looking for work...
Kap is an old friend of mine who has recently left a short-term contract position and is looking for his next role.
Kap is looking for an interim or permanent position as a General Manager in FMCG or direct to consumer markets.
Kap's LinkedIn profile can be found here and he can be contacted on
Roddy Campbell
A highly experienced businessman with the CV to die for, Roddy is looking for a permanent role in Business Development in an SME that wishes to break into its corporate market.
Roddy is well known to me and is also a mentor to many of my business colleagues.
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In other people's words:
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"I've hired Andy twice to run workshops with my ACE groups.
Andy is a true expert in his field with a great approach to conveying his key messages on how and why business leaders must develop specific networking and referral strategies and then showing his audience how to apply the learning directly to their own businesses.
A great message from a skilled presenter and workshop leader.
I have no hesitation in recommending Andy to anyone who wants to understand more about the art and science of effective networking and referral practice."
Gordon Bromley
Chairman, Entrepreneurs Board 08 and CEO Forum 14
The Academy for Chief Executives
"I had the pleasure of being one of the speakers at The Big Event where Andy was Chairman.
Andy is relaxed yet organised. He worked hard to make sure that everything ran to time, while also finding a way to chat with every speaker; thus ensuring the links between speeches worked well.
His attention to detail is great. This means that issues, that can have an adverse affect on an event, are dealt with before they arise.
I would certainly not hesitate in recommending Andy as an excellent Chairman."
Grant Leboff
Principal, The Intelligent Sales Club
"We chose Andy to speak at our Introductory Event for the Stimulating Demand High Growth programme funded by Birmingham City Council with the Working Neighbourhoods Fund.
Effective networking is crucial for all business folk - particularly growth companies who have minimal resources and where the founder / MD has limited time so needs to invest wisely in the right networks to tap into.
Andy took the brief beautifully, gave a first class involving presentation which played a huge part in ensuring 100% of the participants signed up to join the 12 month programme. Plenty food for thought which the mentors can help the participants implement to their advantage going forward."
Jane Hunt
Birmingham City Group Chair at The Academy for Chief Executives
Read more testimonials on my LinkedIn profile
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