| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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It's been an interesting week in British politics. Last Thursday's General Election failed to produce an outright winner and we found ourselves with a hung parliament, with no one party enjoying a decision-making majority, for the first time in a generation.
The initial reaction of many pundits in the UK was very disappointing. Instead of looking forwards to a positive change requested by a disillusioned electorate, there were concerns about the lack of a stable government able to enforce their policy.
If you follow me on Twitter you will probably have seen some of my occasional complaints about the childish behaviour exhibited by our politicians, particularly during Prime Minister's Question Time each week. We have lived in a highly tribal environment where everything is black and white, good and bad, right or wrong. The system has lacked subtlety or the recognition that your opponents might have something useful to say.
Looking from a distance at politics in the US, there seem to be similar issues of entrenched battles rather than a shared vision.
We now know that the next five years will see the first full coalition government in the UK in most of our lifetimes. We are hearing positive sounds about working together, putting tribal loyalties behind and even respect between politicians. It means there could be a refreshing change ahead. Then again, I might be naive!
I strongly believe that the tribal politics we have experienced both in the UK and elsewhere has no place in a modern, collaborative society. Instead of entrenched postions and posturing, this is an opportunity to reframe our approach. After all, coalitions aren't exactly new elsewhere in the World.
Let's start looking instead at collaborative government. After all, networking doesn't have to just be about business or individuals. It applies to Government as well.
How much better could policy be if the views of all sides were taken into account before finally formed? Nobody has the monopoly on great ideas or the best approach. Moving away from dogma and towards collaboration will, in my opinion, lead to stronger rather than weaker government.
If the coalition parties take the lead and show how working together positively can make a difference, the Labour opposition will have to follow, or find themselves marginalised by the electorate next time out.
The rules of engagement have changed in politics as well as in business. It is down to our leaders to grasp the mantle while it is there.
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I hope you enjoyed last month's General Election special launch issue of our monthly Fresh Business Thinking newsletter.
This month's issue has just gone to press and focuses on the importance of raising your profile. I have developed my thoughts on focusing on what people say about you, a theme that Person Branding expert Lesley Everett then takes on.
We then turn to two experts on becoming the expert in your field. Mindy Gibbins-Klein discusses why this is so important and Jo Parfitt looks at how writing can strengthen your personal profile.
The issue will come out on Tuesday and you can make sure you receive it by subscribing here.
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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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Networking on speed
Networking Skill Tip | I was asked last week for my tips for effective speed networking. If you haven't come across it, Speed Networking is a twist on speed dating, the opportunity to meet a large number of people in very quick succession, sharing your elevator pitches with them.
It may not surprise you to know that I am not a fan. Speed Networking can be a fun ice breaker at a longer event, but I'm not sure about it as an event in itself.
If you do go to a speed networking event focus on the other person as much as possible and make it your goal to trigger a conversation that you can carry on later.
Above all, make sure that you follow up. Relationships stem from conversation and engagement, not the exchange of pre-prepared speeches.
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Sometimes it's OK to 'just say no'
Networking Strategy Tip |
With the number of invitations we receive to events, it can be very easy to find yourself networking at all hours throughout the week, for very little return.
Before accepting an invitation to a networking event, ask yourself what you would look to achieve from being there and how well suited it is to help you meet your business objectives.
You can justify every event by accepting that you never know who you might meet, but your time is valuable. Choose carefully and pick the number and frequency of events you can commit to without adversely affecting your business.
Don't be frightened to politely decline invitations if they don't fit the bill.
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How much time?
Online Social Networking Tip
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Networking online does not have to take the amount of time out of your working day that many people seem to think. Understand how you want to use each online network and what you need to do on each, then build it into your working pattern.
When I'm working at the computer, I keep Twitter open in the background and can quickly post a tweet if the right thought comes to mind and go back to what I am doing.
LinkedIn may work slightly differently, but once your profile is set up, ten minutes a day, or even less, will let you make some key connections and participate in discussions.
The key is to get the balance right between what you need to do to get results and not get drawn into long discussions at the expense of your work. If you remain focused, online networks should not be too intrusive.
In fact, used effectively, they can save you time elsewhere.
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Getting Referrals - What lies within
Video Tip |
Many businesses are missing out on a lot of potential referrals because they fail to look at the opportunities that lie under their noses. Getting departments within the same organisation to refer each other can lead to millions of pounds worth of untapped business being realised.
In the latest networking video tip, I look at the importance of cross-referrals within bigger organisations.
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| Andy recommends... |
In next week's Fresh Business Thinking newsletter, mentioned above, we look at the importance of building your profile to boost your business. One of the best ways of being able to do this is to give powerful presentations at business events.
How do you get started though, and how do you get the invites to speak?
The Speakers Company have launched their search for 'The Next Star Speaker'. Designed to both give aspiring and established speakers powerful feedback, and to enable The Speakers Company to see quality speakers in person. Their first event takes place later this month.
This looks like a tremendous opportunity if you are looking to develop your skills as a speaker, or just attract more opportunities to put them into practice.
Details of the first three dates for Finding the Next Star Speaker can be found here.
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The Power that Lies Within
The National Networker |
"Building and retaining trust is the cornerstone of every business and personal relationship."
In this month's column for The National Networker, I interview Australian expert on trust, Vanessa Hall. Vanessa wrote 'The Truth about Trust in Business' and has some interesting insights into the role of trust and how it is established.
This is the first of a two part interview, with the second part to be published in The National Networker next month.
Read more about the importance and foundation of trust 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 |
I apparently found the right level with the last issue's exercise in cornering a cat, judging by the volume of emails, tweets and Facebook comments about it.
I hope I didn't drag you away from your work for too long!
This time I thought I'd share an opportunity for you to sit back and let your computer come to life with an invasion of stick men.
This is a brilliant animation
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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 2010. All rights reserved.
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Who do you know who runs a sales team?
| With business still tough, many sales teams are struggling to find the same quality of quantity of leads they could rely on in the past.
Many of the teams we have worked with
have previously had an ad hoc approach to referrals at best, with little focus on
who to ask, what to ask for or measuring results.
We have been enjoying a lot of success with half-day workshops for sales teams helping them to focus on the basics of putting a referral strategy into place.
We've looked at the quality of referrals asked for, their ideal referral, who can refer and how to get their message across. In addition, we've looked at how to use LinkedIn to generate referrals.
Many of these workshops have been primarily funded through Government grant, making the cost to the business minimal.
If you know anyone who runs a sales team, could you pass this onto them and ask them to contact Harvey Lopata on 01992 450488 or email harvey@lopata.co.uk?
Even better, could you have a chat with them and then arrange for Harvey to give them a call?
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
Opportunities...
Global Angels, an International Foundation championing the causes of children around the worldbased in Charing Cross, London has a requirement for a talented website designer on an initial 6 month contract.
If you're interested in applying, please email examples of websites completed along with CV to mail@genesity.com
Looking for work...
Nick is a hands-on product/project manager who specialises in developing and launching prepaid mobile phone and international calling services.
Nick is looking for new Mobile Telecoms opportunities, so any contacts in the telecoms industry would be appreciated.
You can view Nick's profile on LinkedIn here
Nick can be contacted
at
nick_baldwin@btinternet.com
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In other people's words:
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"Andy has delivered his Networking for Career Change presentation
to people made redundant or at threat of redundancy from retail on two
occasions now, and on both occasions he has left attendees brimming with ideas
about how they can find employment via a non traditional route.
The attendees at our events are often of mixed life and work
experience and some have lost motivation to find work. At the event on the 29th
April Andy not only gave each attendee tips about how to use their network, but
also a drive and enthusiasm to go out and find the job that they want. His
flair for presenting and ability to mix effortlessly between people of
different personalities is second to none."
Anthony Mills
EAP Manager Retail Trust
Read more testimonials on my LinkedIn profile
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