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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 you read this I'll be making my way to Scarborough in advance of speaking at the Federation of Small Businesses Conference tomorrow. I'll be following the Business Secretary Vince Cable onto the main platform, before the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls speaks in the afternoon.
I hope that the politicians allow room in their speeches for some positivity about prospects for small business, and business in general. I'm writing this before Wednesday's budget. There has been a lot of discussion in recent weeks about how SMEs can play a key role in the UK's economic recovery and perhaps there have been changes in the Budget to reflect their role and encourage more SME growth.
Either way, this has been an exciting year for our business so far, and a successful one. Despite the doom and gloom in the media, there are still opportunities for businesses to succeed in the current climate and networks are a key tool in ensuring such success. The more we collaborate and support each other the more quickly the UK and other European economies will regain their strength on the world stage.
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You may have noticed that, following the experiment of recent weeks, we have reverted to sending 'Connecting is not Enough' out on Thursdays. There wasn't a major difference in the reception of the e-zine between Thursday and Saturday, so we've decided to bring it back into the working week.
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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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Softly, softly....
Networking Top Tip
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Building a network to support you in your career or your business is something that takes time and patience. A strong network is built on strong relationships, and that means putting thoughts of how people can help you to the back of your mind until you have developed a high degree of trust first.
Look for people with whom you have a level of rapport or interests in common. Then get to know them. Remember, Dale Carnegie said 'People are interested in people who are interested in them'. So put your own agenda to one side and show a genuine interest in others.
It's vital that your approach to building relationships is genuine and unselfish. It may seem perverse that advice on building a network to support you includes the suggestion that you should put your selfish interests to one side, but failure to do so will mean that your approaches will feel clumsy, unnatural and even manipulative.
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The difference between networking and selling
Recommended Video Tip
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Why does networking sometimes get a bad name? One of the main reasons is that people use networking opportunities to sell, rather than to support.
Following on from the advice in my tip above, in this video I talk about the difference between networking and selling, and how it's far more powerful when you sell through people, rather than to them.
 | | The difference between networking and selling |
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Bits & pieces | |
My apologies to anyone who tried to download 125 LinkedIn Job Search Tips from Position Ignition last week.
The link is now correct and you can now download it here.
125 LinkedIn Job Search Tips.
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My Networking Tips booklet 'It's Not Rocket Science' is now available as an e-book. To thank all my readers for their continued loyalty and support you can download your free copy here.
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Networking Live: There are a few opportunities coming up to see me present on networking. Let me know if you can make any of them, I'd love to see you there:
23rd March 2012 Federation of Small Businesses Annual Conference, Scarborough.
'Using LinkedIn as a Referral Tool'
24th March 2012 Professional Speaking Association, North East of England. Leeds
'It's Who Knows You'
28th March 2012 2pm Medilink UK National Networking Event
Manchester
'It's Who Knows You'
23rd April 2012 Summer Eventia 2012, Kings Place, London
'Networking in the Real World'
24th April 2012 IGD Leading Edge Retail Academy
Sainsbury's Head Office, Holborn, London
'It's Who Knows You'
26th April 2012 - Two talks in Tallin, Estonia. Contact me for details. |
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View from above
Just for Fun
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The images below were apparently taken using low light photography from the International Space Station. Take some time out and have a look at earth from a different perspective:
 | | Earth HD| Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS |
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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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Are you ready for sweatworking?
Andy's Musings... | |
A selection of Andy's regular online columns and coverage elsewhere:
Now That's What I Don't Call Networking!
A-Speakers.com
Inrernational speakers bureau
Focusing on your goals
NatWest Business Sense
Focusing on your goals Part 2
NatWest Business Sense
Interview Business & Technology Report
Korean Business magazine |
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In other people's words |
"Andy Lopata recently presented 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
"The striking thing about Andy is that he writes a book on networking that demystifies the process and shows you all the things you know you should be doing - but never really get round to. Then he surprises you by practising what he preaches! "
Russ King, Product Manager, Monster.com
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