| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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I am delighted to announce that today sees the launch of my brand new website at www.lopata.co.uk.
We have tried to create a site that will both help potential and existing clients understand more about what we have to offer and how we can help, while providing resources and tools for anyone who wants to improve their networking.
Among the resources you'll find my blog, which has moved across from its home on blogger. The archive up until now will stay here.
In addition, you'll find a selection of videos from my YouTube channel which will be regularly updated, some of the articles that have appeared in the national and business press, latest updates from The National Networker and Fresh Business Thinking and much more to come.
Please come across and have a look at the site and tell us what you think.
We would like to thank Hatton Marketing for the project management and web development, along with Rubber Cheese for designing the site. I couldn't have been more delighted with the service received from both companies and the overall result.
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I enjoyed a wonderful few days in Bucharest recently, speaking at the Antreprenor 2010 Conference (pictured above), being interviewed on the business news television channel Money.ro and running a workshop for one of the event sponsors. I know that we have a lot of new subscribers from the event. I'd like to both welcome them all to the newsletter and also thank them for their wonderful hospitality.
From my experience I'd recommend Romania as a place to do business and to visit. It was interesting to visit a country where networking isn't as well-established as here but whose entrepreneurs interact so naturally and engage enthusiastically.
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I was interviewed by Richard White for The Accidental Salesman podcast last week. Richard interviewed me on the importance of having a referral strategy and asked for some key tips.
You can hear the interview on 'Leveraging the Power of your Network' here.
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We do apologise for the late issue of this newsletter. We wanted to make sure it coincided with the launch of the new site, rather than send an extra issue or wait three weeks.
Normal service will be resumed on June 24th.
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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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Give people a chance
Networking Skill Tip | Twice last week people asked me for the top mistakes people make when networking. One of the major mistakes is writing off people as not useful for you to know.
Too often people jump to snap judgements about the people they meet and their potential as a customer or other value. Yet when you first meet them, you don't know who people know or how they may be able to help you. Additionally, sometimes you will help some people who can't help you, but someone else will do the same for you.
Networking isn't always about directly reciprocal support, it is about a culture of people helping each other without the expectation of a direct return.
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Finding the right way forward
Networking Strategy Tip | What's the biggest challenge in your business at the moment? Who do you know who has overcome similar challenges in the past, can think creatively about problems or has the appropriate expertise to guide you?
Don't try to reinvent the wheel or do everything on your own. Look to your network to provide the ideas, support and encouragement to take your challenges head on and overcome them. Avoid making the mistakes that others have made in the past by asking for their advice.
What difference would it make to your business to select your biggest challenge each month and then invite people who can help you to lunch or for a coffee? Many networkers get great advice all of the time, but you can benefit far more by focusing on what you need to know, from whom and when.
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Spreading the net
Online Social Networking Tip
| My trip to Bucharest last week has brought home how important social media can be if you travel extensively on business. I met a lot of people while in Romania and, while it may possibly be some time before I return, I can stay in touch with all of them on a regular basis through Twitter, LinkedIn and other media.
Social networks have made it much easier to keep in touch and in sight of a larger network than we could ever have managed before. People we don't see regularly can keep a track of our progress, and we theirs, through status updates and we can easily send messages of encouragement to people across our network.
Some people question the value of staying in touch through social networks, but more opportunities will come your way the better your network can keep abreast of what you do and remember that you're around.
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It's who knows you
Video Tip |
How many opportunities do you miss because people don't say the right things about you? In this clip from last week's Antreprenor 2010 Conference I talk about why depth of relationships needs to be considered over and above the number of connections when networking online.
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| Andy recommends... |
Three weeks ago I attended a one day School for Startups seminar presented by Doug Richard. Doug made his name as one of the original 'Dragons' in the first two series of BBC TV's Dragons Den.
The seminar provided excellent value for the large audience who attended. Doug covered the range of advice any budding entrepreneur needs to know to get their idea off the ground and to grow a successful business. His style was engaging, humorous and relaxed and he constantly involved the audience.
I particularly liked the way Doug invited people out of the audience and quizzed them on their business, giving them on the spot advice to overcome challenges and move forward. They also interacted throughout the event with people watching a live feed of the event elsewhere.
I can highly recommend both Doug's seminars and the School for Startups website, which has a host of useful resources. There are events coming up in both Ipswich ('Low Cost, Fast Growth Marketing') and London ('Perfecting your Pitch') in the next three weeks, with details on the site. If you're in the area, find the time and go. Even for established entrepreneurs, there's plenty to learn.
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Create a call to action!
The National Networker |
In this month's extract from The National Networker, I have chosen a short tip from Patricia Parham PhD.
In her 'Power Thought of the Week', Patricia talks about how to build a compelling argument together with a call for action, rather than simply asking your network for something.
Patricia looks at how serving other people's interests can help you get what you need.
Read Patricia's Power Thought on networking 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 |
With the World Cup upon us this month, it's time to celebrate some of the true icons of World football with Currencies Direct's Worst Haircuts XI.
There are more classic teams and football fun at CD's Football without Frontiers site.
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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 and 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...
Evelyne Brink of Brink Coaching is looking for Super(wo)man!
Evelyne is looking for a PA with passion & computer savvy, proactive with excellent communication skills.
Must be organized, friendly & love social media and research.
womenintechnology.co.uk, a leading organisation supporting women working in IT, is looking for a new business development executive to help sell both traditional contingency recruitment services and online recruitment advertising solutions / sponsorship packages to major blue chip companies, RPOs and media buyers.
The full job spec and application details can be found here
Our wonderful web developer, Hatton Digital, has a six week placement available for a design graduate who's looking to build their web design portfolio. You'll be working on real briefs and live projects, and although unpaid, travel and expenses are to be covered.
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In other people's words:
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"Andy gave a highly
enjoyable interactive talk at a Swedish Chamber of Commerce networking event.
His ideas changed my attitude towards networking and as a direct result of his
talk one of the other guests recommended me to a client of hers and within two
weeks she was a client of mine!
A big thank you to Andy
for an inspiring and educational talk, with immediate benefits!"
Daniel Wise, Executive & Business Coach
"Andy is a highly persuasive catalyst for change
whose ability to spot synergy between people from different fields is matched
by his personable style of motivating them to work together for a common goal.
He is an accomplished speaker with a proven track record of leading by
thoughts, words and deeds."
Chris
Roycroft-Davis
Former
Managing Editor, The Sun
Read more testimonials on my LinkedIn profile
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