| Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough' |
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The big news in recent weeks from our camp is that the first draft of my next book has been completed. The book focuses on how you can generate a focused referrals strategy and has taken seven months to write. There is still a long way to go, but it's a huge milestone for me.
We are hoping to publish the book early in the new year. Between now and then I'll give you sneak previews in my column for The National Networker and in my blog. You can find one such preview in the 'Andy's Musings' column on the right.
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I'm delighted that we have secured an agreement to work together with Surrey Chambers of Commerce over the next few months to deliver a networking and referrals strategy training programme to their members between now and Christmas.
The programme will begin with a Masterclass session on Networking in the Upswing on the evening of Monday September 13th. We will follow this with a series of half day workshops on networking strategy, referrals strategy and how to use LinkedIn as a referrals tool.
Full details can be found on the Surrey Chambers of Commerce website. You can book for the Masterclass session at the link above and I'll bring more information about the workshops in future editions of Connecting is not Enough.
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Thank you once again to everyone on Twitter who posted the advice they wanted me to cover in this newsletter's tips.
If you would like me to give advice on a specific area of networking, please either tweet me (@andylopata) with the #tag 'networkingtips', post onto my Facebook page, LinkedIn group or email me at andy@lopata.co.uk
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My good friends at 1230 The Women's Company are holding a Charity event at The St Pancras Grand Champagne Bar on September 24th. Appropriately, given the venue, their guest speaker is the former star of The Railway Children, Jenny Agutter. It sounds like a fantastic event and it's for a great cause. Details and tickets can be found on 1230's website here.
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If you like what you read, please feel free to forward it and invite others to subscribe.
Happy Networking!
Andy
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Why being pigeon-holed can be a good thing
Networking Skill Tip | Jackie Walker asked on Twitter, "some people are natural connectors who see obvious links, what advice do you have for those who aren't?"
The key is to listen and take yourself out of the equation. When we talk to someone else we tend to think about how what is being said affects, or is relevant, to us personally. Good connectors have the ability to put that to one side and think about other people in their network.
Listen 'for' the person speaking, rather than simply to them. What challenges do they face? Who do they need to meet? Who would benefit from meeting them?
It becomes a lot easier if you can pigeon-hole people by what they do or who they do it for. If, for example, I meet someone going through a divorce, I will automatically think of Jackie as that is whom she helps. It's almost like meta tags on a website! By labelling people in this way simple keywords will make you think of them and recognise opportunities to which they are perfectly suited.
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Measuring the value of your networking
Networking Strategy Tip |
Megan Harrison asked on Twitter for advice on measuring the value of networking at business events. She is concerned that "people don't rate them because of their seemingly intangible nature".
One of the main reasons people don't recognise the value of networking events is the lack of planning and preparation before they go. If you want to maximise the return on your investment in networking, understand what success will look like.
If that success comes in the form of new business, work out what referrals you need in a year to justify your involvement, and from whom those referrals are likely to come. Remember that you are networking for relationships, not sales. The new business will then come through the people you meet. Also ask yourself what you have to put in to your networking in order to get the results you seek.
If you are networking for other reasons, such as increased profile, market knowledge or self-development the returns may be less tangible and measurable. You can, however, determine what steps you need to take to achieve those results and interact with your network appropriately.
For more detail, these two blogs may help:
Networking with FOCUS part two - The Bottom Line
Networking with FOCUS part three - Beyond Money
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Famous last words
Online Social Networking Tip
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Numbers following you are important if you use Twitter to build your profile. In which case, you want people to follow you for the right reasons.
When people click onto a profile to decide whether or not to follow someone on Twitter, they will very often just look at their last tweet and decide if it catches their interest. I know I do.
If this is the case, your last tweet needs to be relevant to your expertise, if that is why people should follow you. It is important to engage with fellow users on Twitter and enjoy some general conversation, rather than simply broadcast, but before you sign off make your last tweet appropriate.
You don't know how many people will look at your Twitter profile while you are offline. Make sure they stick around to hear more by ensuring your last tweet catches their interest and encourages them to follow.
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Using your network to get a job
Video Tip |
Last year I was asked to film this advice for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to help students leaving University and looking for a job.
With recent news about the number of graduates struggling to find work, and many other people on the job market who may benefit from this advice, I thought it would be a good time to repeat the video.
Find out how you can use your network to get a job here, and please pass this on to anyone who may benefit from this advice.
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| Andy recommends... | |
Are you a freelancetrainer?
I recently met Sharon Gaskin, an experienced trainer who recognised the lack of support for freelance trainers after she set up business on her own. In 2008 she founded The Trainers' Training Company, which she describes as a "one stop shop for freelance trainers to help them create and grow their businesses".
I will be a guest presenter for two of Sharon's events in the next two months. Trainer Talk Live are one day events designed to help trainers take their business to the next level. I'll be presenting at both events on how to generate referrals for your business.
The dates are:
London - September 17th
Birmingham - October 22nd
If you'd like to attend either event, please click here for more information. To know more about The Trainers Training Company, you can visit their website here.
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| Just for Fun |
On Saturday, April 24th, 2010, over thirty members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus and principal cast members from the upcoming production of La Traviata converged on the Reading Terminal Market Italian Festival.
Wearing street clothes and blending in with the crowd, the artists swung into action as the first orchestral strains of the famed aria was piped through the market, giving a rousing, surprise performance for hundreds of delighted onlookers.
Click on the image to see some wonderful 'impromptu' opera and great reactions.
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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, find out more details on our website or 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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Kick start your networking with small group coaching
| Are you struggling to get a return from your networking? Not sure which group to join or whether your existing group is working for you? Do you not know where your next referral is coming from?
We are offering a limited number of kick start coaching sessions to small firms in the London and surrounding areas.
We will spend two hours reviewing your networking and referral strategies and looking at new approaches that will help you get the response you are looking for.
Whether it's developing a 'Referral Book' of people who will pass you good quality leads, or a clearer idea of where to network, you'll go away with more focus and a strong action plan.
The sessions can either be 1-2-1 or, if you prefer, you can share the cost with two other firms and have a joint session.
You may be eligible for funding towards the cost of this programme.
For more information on this programme how to book and costs, please click here.
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Andy's Musings...
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A selection of Andy's regular online columns and coverage elsewhere:
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In other people's words:
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"Andy is an outstanding networker in the true sense.
He understands the mindset, the passion and the perseverance that is necessary to be successful at and through networking.
He shares his knowledge generously. He is great fun to be with, has a wicked sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye.
All of the above translates into him wearing his expertise lightly, which to me distinguishes the real expert. "
Nicole Bachmann, Coach, Trainer, Facilitator, Brook & Mann
Read more testimonials on our website
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