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here'Connecting is not Enough' - tips and tools to help you get a return from your networking

 

 

Andy Lopata 

  

I was recently interviewed by Chris Cooper on Voice America Business, a US internet radio station. My fellow guest on Chris's 'Be More, Achieve More' show was the founder of BNI and the world's leading expert on networking, Dr. Ivan Misner. 

 

The show airs tomorrow at 4pm GMT (8am PT) and you can listen to it here. Even if you can't listen live, it's well worth tuning into and will be stored at the same link. 

 

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I had a wonderful time at Sage World again last month, presenting on both days on How to Use LinkedIn as a Referral Tool and Networking with Confidence

 

Sage put on  a great show once again, this really is becoming a 'must attend' event for small businesses, with over 2,000 registered this year and a great array of speakers. 

 

You can watch my talk on networking skills here, while a number of the talks from the two days can be viewed on the Sage World YouTube Channel, including two presentations packed full of marketing ideas from my good friend Geoff Ramm, who has featured here before.  

 

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Yesterday saw the launch of a new regular blog I am writing for the NatWest Business Sense website.  I'll be sharing my thoughts on networking and referrals strategy for all businesses on the site every fortnight. 

 

You can read my first blog, on what holds back so many businesses from taking the opportunities that networking offers.  'What's Holding You Back?'  

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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

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Lean on me...
 Networking Top Ti

 

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the business minister Mark Prisk announced a doubling in the size of the Mentor SME network on Tuesday. This increase in the mentoring support for entrepreneurs followed hot on the heels of last week's announcement from Theresa May of a new scheme to provide mentors to female entrepreneurs. 


There is a growing recognition of the importance of having a mentor to act as a role model, to guide you through new challenges and to push you to the next level. While the two Government backed schemes mentioned above focus on entrepreneurs, mentors are equally important within large organisations. Indeed, many of my clients operate a mentoring programme for their staff. 

 

Despite the increased profile of mentoring and the support available, the vast majority of people I speak to still don't have a mentor. Even where a formal scheme is in place it seems that few people really make the most of the opportunity. 

 

Is this because we still seem to thrive in a culture of not admitting weakness or asking for help and ploughing through on our own, regardless of the fact that we could be repeating the same mistakes others have learned from in the past? 

 

Or is it just laziness? Despite the support being available, we are so focused on getting the job done that we don't have time to turn for help to people who could help us get it done better and more quickly. 

 

Whatever the reason, if you don't have a mentor then you are simply making life more difficult for yourself. You can find people through formal schemes such as the one mentioned, you could approach someone you know through your network and ask for their help or you could ask someone whose work and whose career progress you admire and you'd like to emulate. 


A good mentor does not necessarily have to come from within your own firm or even your own industry. Understand what you want to achieve and the support that you need and then ask yourself who can best be your guide on your journey.

 

If you approach someone and they can't help, don't be put off. Ask who else they recommend or have someone else in mind to approach. If you don't ask for help, it won't be volunteered. 

 

If you feel that you are in a position to help others on their journey, find out how you can put yourself forward as a mentor too. It doesn't take too much time and can be very rewarding. And if you've received help in the past yourself (or even if you still are), maybe it's your turn to give something back. 

 

 

Why attending networking events won't change your business overnight
 Video Tip  

 

Unfortunately many people seem to think that networking groups and events will provide a short term solution to business needs. While such opportunities can be very valuable for a business, relying on networking events alone only leads to disappointment...

 

Why attending networking events won't change your business overnight
Why attending networking events won't change your business overnight


 Bits & pieces

 FT Guide

  

Competition Corner: It was a networking summer over at Financial Times Prentice Hall this year. As well as publishing my own Recommended, How to Sell Through Networking and Referrals, they also successfully published Heather Townsend's book The Financial Times Guide to Networking.

 

I interviewed Heather for my blog last week about her approach to joined-up networking and she has kindly offered five signed copies of her book to readers of my blog and of Connecting is not Enough

 

For your chance to win a copy, please either email  [email protected]   with your name and address or tweet 'Financial TImes Guide' and include #Lopatacomps.

 

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Networking Live: There are a couple of opportunities coming up to see me present on networking. I'd love to see you there.

 

December 6th 2011 6pm: Cardiff Connections, Maldron Hotel, Cardiff

 

January 18th 2012 10.30am-2.30pm: Medilink,  Medical Technologies Innovation Centre, Birmingham B15 3BE 

(for more information Contact [email protected] or call 0121 452 5630

 

January 25th 2012  12.00pm-3.00pm: Hoxton Apprentice Professional Women's Network Lunch, 16 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NT

 

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Jan Vermeiren and Bert Verdonck are looking to give away one million free copies of the second edition of their excellent book How to REALLY Use LinkedIn.

 

The book is an excellent guide to using the social network and I highly recommend it. You can read more about the offer, why they want to give copies away and download your free copy here.  

  

P-p-picking a life of crime

Just for Fun


I've been completely entranced by the new BBC wildlife series 'Frozen Planet' in recent weeks and, in particular, by the wonderful penguins. I thought nothing could beat the sight of a penguin eluding the grasp of a stumbling sealion in a recent episode.

But then we saw what happens when penguins turn to a life of crime...

frozen planet penguins
frozen planet penguins

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.

 

IN THIS ISSUE
The power of storytelling
From books to referrals to fear of speaking...
A new book and an event for women in business
Time for a beer?
Recommended
Recommended: How to sell through networking and referrals. 

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Quick Links


Lopata.co.uk

Blog archive

Andy's YouTube Channel

 

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

 

'Recommended' on Amazon.co.uk 

 

Andy's Amazon page

 

Networking in Ninety Minutes - Double CD Set  

 

Andy on Facebook

 

Connecting is not Enough on Facebook

 

and Death Came Third! on Facebook

 

Andy on LinkedIn

 

Andy on ecademy

 

Follow Andy on Twitter

 

Business Networking Strategy Group on LinkedIn

 

Connecting is Not Enough Back Issues

 

 

and Death Came Third!
...and Death Came Third!
The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public

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 Andy's Musings...

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

 

A Ringing Endorsement?   

Huffington Post

 

What a Rubbish Idea

Huffington Post

 

Are you cultivating your Business Champions?

Manager-The British Journal of Administrative Management 

 

What's Holding You back?

NatWest Business Sense 

 

Find out why Andy Lopata doesn't want his network to buy from him!

Heather Townsend interview

Networking in Ninety
Networking in Ninety Minutes - the Audio Programme

In other people's words 

"Andy worked with two sales teams at IMG and Wembley Stadium to help us develop a more focused approach to networking and one more likely to deliver a successful return. The teams were mixed in terms of experience, skill and comfort when networking. 

 
In the three months since Andy delivered his sessions, I've noticed a clear change in the approach taken by everyone who participated. They are more considered about which events they choose to attend, prepare more thoroughly and are more confident when at the events. Most importantly, their diaries are full with follow up meetings with people they have met at those events, and they have been more focused on building relationships with those people rather than selling to them.
 
We have already received a number of referrals as a result."

Andy O'Sullivan

Head of Sales - Hospitality

Wembley Stadium

   

 

"Andy Lopata has been presenting a series of referral strategy seminars to mallowstreet clients.

 

The feedback we have had has been exceptional. 

 

Andy's approach to generating new business through referrals is simple to understand and easy to implement. Many of our clients have recognised simple steps that they have failed to take which could lift their business to the next level.  

 
Andy's style is very engaging and he involves everyone present. There has been a tremendous buzz and positivity after each of his sessions and people have gone away having benefited significantly."
 
Robert Gardner,
Founder and Co-CEO Redington
Co-Founder mallowstreet