| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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I hope you enjoy your three-weekly shot of networking tips and ideas, together with a bit of fun.
If you like a bit more depth to your networking, you can of course subscribe to my Blog and the US publication The National Networker, for which I write a monthly column. I am also now beginning to build up the library of videos on my YouTube Channel, where you might get a sneak preview of future videos to feature in this newsletter!
Now there's a new addition to the range of resources we like to offer you. From today, I am now editing a monthly networking newsletter for Fresh Business Thinking. Each issue will contain a series of more in depth articles on networking, both from me and from friends of mine who are each experts in their own right, both from the UK and internationally.
As I'm sure you haven't had enough of the UK General Election at this stage, we have launched today with an election special. Included are an article I wrote at the time of President Obama's inauguration on the lessons businesses can learn from his election campaigns, an update from the US on the impact of networking in politics since the election, a 24 year-old's view of how well UK parties are engaging with young voters and the view from the social media campaign manager of Independent grouping Jury Team.
Read this month's newsletter and If you'd like to receive the newsletter, you can subscribe here --------------------------------------------------
For this issue, I have asked followers on Twitter and Facebook what networking tips they would like to see me cover.
Thank you for your contributions, your wish is my command...
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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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How do you leverage old networks like school?
Vena Ramphal @venaramphal
Networking Skill Tip |
Over the last couple of years I have re-engaged with a number of former school and work colleagues, initially through Friends Reunited and then Facebook.
My key advice is not to re-establish contact and immediately seek to ask for connections or help unless such a request is very specific and appropriate. Like any new connection, focus on the relationship, particularly if it has been many years since you have seen each other.
Connect on professional sites like LinkedIn as well as socially. This will help you learn more about what they are now doing professionally and vice versa. Once the relationship is re-established, you can then look for support in the same way you would with any other strong contact.
Put simply, people don't want to feel used. Put the relationship first, not the one you had before but the one you seek now.
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What key points should you consider when setting a Networking Strategy?
Marc Lawn @businessgp
Networking Strategy Tip |
Before deciding which networking groups to join, answer the following questions:
- What do you most need to achieve personally or in your business?
- What support can other people offer you, and who are they?
- Where can you meet the right people and what do you need them to do?
With a clear picture from the answers you come up with, you can then look to two areas. First look at your existing network to see if the support is already there. If you then need to meet more people, look at which opportunities networking groups and online networks offer to find the right group for you.
The other key point to consider at this stage is the commitment needed to get the results you need, and whether you can meet it.
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Can online networking succeed without offline?
Bian Salins @B1an
Online Social Networking Tip
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A lot depends on what you want to achieve. Online networks in isolation can work very well to help you build your profile, particularly across a wide area, and to get feedback and answer questions.
If you want to develop strong relationships, particularly to generate referrals, online networking will only take you so far. I have developed some strong relationships online, but I always believe that there is a limit to the connection you can make with someone when you have never met in person.
There is something about seeing the whites of people's eyes that solidifies a relationship if you strike a rapport. That can't be replicated by online 'avatars'.
Wherever possible, make arrangements to meet your top online contacts in person and take the relationship to the next level.
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Building Successful Relationships
Video Tip |
Once you meet people at a networking event, when is the right time to ask them for help, or even point out that they could be a customer?
It's so important to build the relationship with new contacts first, but how do you do that?
I discuss these topics in this video tip, Building Successful Relationships.
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| Andy recommends... | |
Today's announcement of a networking newsletter with Fresh Business Thinking may be a first introduction to a very valuable resource for you.
The Fresh Business Thinking website offers a wide range of support documents and ideas for small business owners, directors and entrepreneurs. In addition to the networking newsletter, there are a range of other specialist newsletters that you can have delivered to your inbox, with some excellent articles and videos from leading business experts.
They also run a range of events and, having spoken at two of them and attended others, I can testify to the great organisation and range of speakers they offer.
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The Power that Lies Within
The National Networker |
In this month's column for The National Networker, I turn my attention to the amount of business being left on the table by firms who don't encourage and educate their staff to refer each other.
Seems simple doesn't it? Tell that to all of the companies that thrive on internal competition rather than collaboration.
Read more about the power of internal referrals and cross-selling 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 |
It's been a while since I've tormented you with one of those irritating you-know-this-should-be-simple teasers.
Well, fear not. Put down your work for the rest of the day and attempt to...
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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. Please forward these people/opportunities to anyone you think may be able to help.
Opportunity:
Senior Events Planner
Lena Bjork, the outstanding entrepeneur behind the catering success Inn or Out is looking for a new Senior Events Planner to join her team.
The successful candidate will have worked in a similar role in an event catering business, will have experience of creating events from blank canvases in unique venues as well as working closely with demanding clients and producing bespoke proposals that exactly match their requirements.
The salary package is up to �50k depending on experience.
If you are interested, please send your CV to
Looking for work...
I've had the pleasure of meeting Alexa a few times at various networking events in recent years.
Alexa is an experienced Direct Marketing Manager, specalising in new business alliances, email marketing and social media. She is now looking for a move into a marketing team in the not-for-profit and charity sectors.
Who do you know in those sectors who may benefit from someone with Alexa's background and expertise?
You can view Alexa's profile on LinkedIn here.
Alexa can be contacted at follena@aol.com
Des Greene
I sat next to Des, meeting for a second time, at a breakfast meeting recently. Des is a very experienced business development specialist in professional services, who is leaving his current position later this year.
He has extensive experience in winning business, client management, marketing planning and implementation.
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In other people's words:
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"Having worked with Andy on
many occasions as a keynote speaker, he has always delivered a
fantastic and insightful presentation, to great acclaim and feedback
from our clients, across a wide range of corporate and networking
events.
He is utterly professional, highly knowledgeable in the field of
professional networking, but more importantly, knows how to connect and
get through to people, whether for effective team-building within an
organisation or in the wider context of keynote speaking at large
corporate events.
He is truly an expert in his field and can accommodate a small bespoke
training session or large global projects for multinationals.
Phenomenal value delivering far reaching results ... and connections,
of course."
Franco de la Croix-Vaubois
Operations Director
World Launch Group
Read more testimonials on my LinkedIn profile
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