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Welcome to 'Connecting is not Enough'


book launch 1 

  

 Thanks to everyone who has bought or recommended the second edition of  '...and Death Came Third! The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public'. We're really pleased with the response so far, particularly for a second edition. 

 

The feedback from people who have bought the book has been fantastic, and that is what makes it such a rewarding experience. If you have enjoyed the book, please do share your thoughts by posting a review on Amazon. It will really help Peter and I too. 

 

and Death Came Third! 

 

Could I ask you for one minute of your time to help us promote '...and Death Came Third!' on Amazon? If you go to the book's page on Amazon.co.uk (or your local domain if you are outside the UK), just below the description of the book you'll find a section titled 'Tags Customers Associate with this Product'. If you agree with the tags there, can you please vote for them? The more people who do so, the easier it will be for the book to appear in relevant searches. 

 

Thanks for helping. 

 

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There are a few opportunities coming up to see me speak at various events around the country. Among them are:

 

29th June - Milton Keynes Connections 

30th June - Herts Business Roadshow in Hatfield

7th July - Herts Business Roadshow in Hemel Hempstead

7th July - B2B Marketing Symposium in London

14th July - Herts Business Roadshow in Stevenage

 

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Competition corner

 

SUMO 

"Shut Up and Move On". That's the advice given by 'the SUMO Guy' Paul McGee in his international bestseller S.U.M.O. Paul's book has given thousands of people worldwide the confidence and motivation to change and he recently published the second edition of the book, with continued success. 

We have five signed copies of S.U.M.O to give away to readers of 'Connecting is not Enough' in the latest competition. For a chance of winning, you need to answer this question. How many SUMO principles are there? (Tip - the link above might provide a clue!).

Please email [email protected] with your answer together with your contact details, or send a tweet, including #LopataComps in your tweet, by 6pm on Friday 9th July.   
  
Congratulations to Jodie Newman, Karen Spillane, Sally Phillips, Malcolm Watson, and Linda Parkinson-Hardman who won signed copies of '...and Death Came Third!' in our last competition.  If you havn't already done so, please let Claire have your address so that she can send your prize.

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If you have any questions you'd like me to address either in this newsletter or on my blog, please either tweet me, post them onto our Facebook or LinkedIn pages or email them to me.

I always try to address as many as possible.  

 

Happy Networking!


Andy

If you like what you read, please feel free to forward it and invite others to subscribe.

  
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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.  

  
Send your 'Elevator Pitch' to the basement
'...and Death Came Third!' Networking Skill Ti

 

When it comes to networking skills, many people look for guidance on writing and presenting the perfect 'elevator pitch'. This is the ten, thirty or sixty second script that you repeat word for word when someone asks what you do. This is your chance to grab your moment in the spotlight and shine!

 

If you have been looking for this, I am sorry to disappoint you.You may already have gathered that I would not be a fan of such a pre-prepared presentation in a networking environment.

 

'Elevator pitches' (so named because they represent what you would say if you met Bill Gates in an elevator and had until his floor to get him to want to hear more) may be fine when you have a 'Minute to Win It' slot to present to everyone at an event, but they can be out of place in a one-to-one situation or in a small group.

 

Yes, you should know what you do and why you are there, but do you really need to memorise a script in order to answer those questions? You will be far more relaxed and natural if you just tell people. Instead of being tense and stilted, people will experience the real you, a relaxed conversationalist.

Know what you want to achieve
'...and Death Came Third!' Networking Strategy Tip 

 

When you decide that you want to join a networking organisation or go to networking events, the first thing that you need to do is research the different opportunities available to you. Be clear about what you want to achieve. All of these networking organisations operate in slightly different ways and achieve different results.

 

There are, generally speaking, three types of network:

 

1. Brain-Building organisations typically run seminars or bring together people from similar industries to learn from each other. These play a vital role in helping you to use networking for self-development.

 

2. Profile-Building organisations are based around the belief that 'It's not what you know but who you know...and who knows you' and enable participants to meet a wide range of people either at events or online. 

 

Within reason, the more people to whom you are connected, the easier and more effective your networking becomes. A successful networker will combine the opportunity to meet new people with developing a network of contacts built around a core of people with whom they have a strong relationship. Each relationship is built on increasing trust in each other and a greater understanding of each others' business.

 

3. Referral-building organisations focus on developing this core of strong relationships, helping members to get to know each other well and build sufficient levels of trust and understanding in each other to both recognise opportunities and to feel comfortable referring them. 

Engage....Disengage
Online Social Networking Tip

 

I have noticed an increasing number of people who seem to be following me more than once on Twitter. For those not aware of how Twitter works, you choose who you want to 'Follow', in other words, whose tweets you want to see appear on your page. 

 

The only explanation I can see for the multiple follows is that people want me to follow them back so that they can promote their services to me. As I don't automatically follow back everyone who follows me, to make it easier for me to see the tweets from people I specifically, want to hear from, they simply unfollow and try again to grab my attention.  

 

There's a better way. If you'd like to attract someone's attention and get them to be interested in what you have to say, engage with them proactively rather than just expecting them to reciprocate when you follow them. Watch their tweets, comment on them, ask questions, congratulate or wish good luck as appropriate. Don't sell! If you positively engage on a consistent basis they will, no doubt, take notice. 

 

People are interested in people who are interested in them. Engage proactively with the people you want to connect with and they will want to engage with you. I have met a number of people this way, it works. 

What they say about you
Video Tip 

 

 

In January this year I spoke to sales people from Logica about how to develop their networks within client organisations. As part of the talk I discussed the concept of managing your message, and what people say about you. 

 

You can watch some of the talk here. 

 

It's Who Knows You - The importance of building your network within client organisations
It's Who Knows You - The importance of building your network within client organisations

 

A dog's life

Just for Fun


I'm not sure about this video. I can see what they've tried to do, but they just seem to have made a dog's dinner of it. 

TWO DOGS DINING
TWO DOGS DINING

  

 

 

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 2011. All rights reserved.

 

Leadership and Management Grants - develop the networks within your organisation

 

Does your business employ between 2 and 249 employees?

Are you able to demonstrate growth or growth potential?

Through the Leadership and
Management Advisory Service, we can now offer funded training to companies who want to:

Improve relationships between teams and staff encouraging individuals within their organisation to develop their own networks

Remove barriers between different departments within their organisations

Introduce a culture of mentoring and masterminding.

If you would like to find out more please
contact [email protected]
putting L& M Grant in the subject matter on your email
Quick Links


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'...and Death Came Third!' on Amazon.co.uk

 

'Recommended' on Amazon.co.uk 

 

Andy's Amazon page

 

Networking in Ninety Minutes - Double CD Set  

 

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and Death Came Third! on Facebook

 

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Connecting is Not Enough Back Issues

 

 

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The Nation 

 

Andy's Musings...

  
A selection of Andy's regular online columns and coverage elsewhere:


Facebook groups - Where choice goes out of the window  

  
  
Fresh Business Thinking
  
  
The National Networker
Networking in Ninety
Networking in Ninety Minutes - the Audio Programme
In other people's words:
  
"It was lovely listening to your talk yesterday. It was the best talk I've ever been to. Loved the content, pacing, delivery, structure. 

 

Your message was very memorable (imparting that much information can leave listeners forgetting what was said) and you managed the balance between substance, detail and memorability well.

 

I particularly liked: 

 

- That your angle, style and approach was what Networking MEANS TO YOU (hence it was unique, individual).

 

- That you described contrast and boundaries eg. difference between Network and Friends. 

 

- Hilarious story of the man who stood by the front door and handed out cards. 

 

- That it's ultimately what someone's willing to do for you. 

 

- The quick "breakout" tasks - I actually learnt stuff from my group's feedback to my own challenge! 

 

- Explained what makes the subject special, different. 

 

You said you were meeting with someone next week to take the presentation up a notch. In my opinion it's already broadcast quality. I wouldn't change anything to structure or content. And I think you've got something there with your personal attitude and approach. 
But there was also oodles of substance and examples in what you said too. 

 

If you're wondering what motivates me to take the time to write this - I've been to so many bad presentations that I had to make sure you know that yours was brilliant."

 

Rebecca Aguilar

BBC Worldwide