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'Connecting is not Enough' - tips and tools to help you get a return from your networking
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As I mentioned in my short email a few days ago, both 'Recommended' and '...and Death Came Third!' have been nominated for a Small Business Book Award.
Thank you to everyone who has voted so far. I really was touched by the response, with so many people both voting and replying to me. It's been great to be nominated, especially as it's not one but two books and it is an American award.
There are just a few days left until voting closes and I'd appreciate all the help you can offer. If you haven't done so already and you feel it appropriate to do so, can you please vote for either book, or both, by clicking on the links below and clicking 'Vote'.
Recommended
...and Death Came Third.
Thanks for all of your help.
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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!
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.
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Quality + Action = Results
Networking Top Tip
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I spoke at a sales conference in Sweden a couple of weeks ago and something one of the company's leadership team said stood out for me.
In his talk Tommi H�nninen, Head of the Business Communication Division at Stralfors Ab, shared the equation:
Quality + Action = Results.
Tommi was motivating his sales team but the equation rang true for me in terms of networking too. It's very easy to focus on one or the other side of the equation and not get the balance right. Do that, and you'll struggle to achieve a strong return from your networking activity.
Build a 'quality' network. Quality can refer to the personality and influence of the people you connect with and it can refer to the depth of the relationships you build. Ideally it will be both.
Lots of action (attending events, swapping cards, connecting and posting online) without focus on the quality is a fundamental mistake, particularly for people new to networking. It rarely leads to success.
Once you have a strong network, it doesn't pay to become complacent. You need to stay in touch with people, otherwise they may forget about you. You need to ask for help when you need it and always be seeking to help others in your network. Constantly nurture your network so that it is always there to support you.
Always focus on both sides of the equation and get the balance right. It's a surefire recipe for success in networking, as well as other areas of business and life.
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Follow up!
Recommended Video Tip
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People trust you more when you involve them in the whole referral process, whether you have given or received a referral. Always make sure you follow up and give feedback, whether the referral is successful or not.
I talk more about the importance of such follow up in this brief video.
 | | The importance of following up when you have received, or given, referrals |
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Bits & pieces
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We have a special New Year offer to kick start your networking. We have a handful of copies of my double CD set Networking in Ninety Minutes left and want to offer them to you at a substantially reduced price.
In the programme I share tips and advice on developing both networking and referrals strategies to build a growing business. The sets normally retails for �47.50 (or �37.50 for an mp3 download) but the last few are now available for �14.99 (or �10.99 for an mp3 download).
Details are here.
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On 29th February I'll be in conversation once again with Dave Harries and Grant Leboff on Sticky Marketing TV. I was interviewed by Dave last year and you can see the broadcast here.
The interview forms part of a day of similar discussions and there is space for a small studio audience to take part in the day. After my interview at 10am, the agenda is:
If you want to be in the audience just send an email via the contact us page at www.stickymarketing.com. You are welcome to watch for the whole day or go along for one or two interviews.
The recording takes place in Watford, Hertfordshire.
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Keeping it real
Just for Fun
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Another musical treat for you. One of my pet hates is celebrity culture and I love to see it when people keep their feet on the ground despite success. In that respect the singer Adele is a breath of fresh air, apart from being a fantastic performer.
Last week I sat and watched her concert at The Royal Albert Hall, which was screened on the BBC just before Christmas. I have been to hundreds of concerts over the years (at one point I nearly became a scout for a well-known record label), but I have rarely, if ever, seen anyone keep it quite so real and build such an amazing rapport with the audience. Enough of my rambling. Here's what I mean...
 | | Adele - My Same (Live At The Royal Albert Hall DVD) |
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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 2011. All rights reserved.
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Recommended: How to sell through networking and referrals.
Buy Now
Compare on Amazon.co.uk |
...and Death Came Third!
The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public
Buy Now
Compare on Amazon.co.uk
Kindle version
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Andy's Musings... | |
A selection of Andy's regular online columns and coverage elsewhere:
The Impact of Individual Growth on the Business Community
Huffington Post
What problems do you solve?
NatWest Business Sense
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In other people's words |
"Andy spoke at our sales conference last week. We have used every year different external speakers but now we had for the first time a person who really put in extra energy to make it work.
Topic - how to use networking to develop your business - was interesting enough as itself, but the way Andy studied our company and needs was really good.
After pre-study including several phone calls and e-mails, he spend whole conference day with us before his own presentation. This gave him a deeper understanding of our needs and situation which he used during his presentation. Great work!"
Tommi Hanninen - Head of Business Communication Division, Stralfors Ab
"Andy was the guest speaker at the charity lunch organised for the Hoxton Apprentice Professional Women's Network.
He spoke about networking, a subject in which we all thought we were well versed. But he brought such a fresh insight into this old subject that, judging by the scribbling going on in a room of 78 women, his advice will be acted on by the top-calibre executives attending his words so carefully. He was both professional, informative and amusing."
Lady Val Corbett, Director, Hoxton Apprentice ltd
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