NETWORKING RESOLUTIONS - Connecting is Not Enough

Greetings!

Happy New Year! I hope you had a relaxing break and have returned ready for a successful 2013 for all of us. I've detected a lot of optimism among people coming back after the holidays and I hope that you share similar positive feelings.

My good friend Mikael Arndt, who runs the business network Arndts FC in Sweden, asked me earlier this week for my three top tips for networking in 2013 to share with members of his network. My suggestions were:

1 - Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from your networking this year and how other people can help you. Review your goals and progress over the last year or two. Have an answer ready for whenever someone asks you 'how can I help?' (and you know they mean it) and make it one that counts.

2 - Know your network better. Build deeper relationships with people with whom you have the closest rapport or the most in common. Find out how you can help them and to whom you can connect them. A greater understanding of their network and their business will also help you with tip 1!

3 - Follow up. Keep your promises, make key connections and follow up with both parties to monitor progress. Keep in touch with people you've met and 'clicked' with. And make every follow up, where possible, about the other person rather than about you.

What are your top tips for the new year and what have you changed in your networking recently that has worked for you?

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Two events are coming up which may be of interest to you.

First of all, I'll be running a short workshop next Thursday afternoon on building a speaking business through referrals at the Thames Valley Professional Speaking Association in Reading. Jeremy Nicholas, a BBC broadcaster of many years experience and the man who announces all of the opposition goalscorers at West Ham United, will also be speaking, on making your presentations more entertaining.

Details of the event are here.

If you're looking for some inspiration to kickstart your year, my good friend and former Mastermind colleague Richard McCann is hosting an event next month that could be ideal for you.

Richard is one of the UK's most successful and popular motivational speakers and authors. He has been a global best selling author, with his first book 'Just a Boy' reaching number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list. His journey has been remarkable, against all the odds, and his message is simple. 'I can, and if I can so can you'.

As well as hosting the event, Richard will be one of five speakers with different stories but one common goal - to empower each member of the audience to grow and transform where they could end up in 2013. Among the other speakers is another good friend of mine, Kevin Mclernon, who won the television series 'Britain's Biggest Loser' when he shed 40% of his bodyweight in 24 weeks.

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Congratulations to Olivia Woods; Jackie Paige; Horla Nes & Jonathan Fingerhut, winners of a copy of 'Hit Me! How to get your small business to punch its weight online'

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I hope you enjoy the newsletter and look forward to your feedback. Don't forget, if you'd like to listen to these tips and some additional content on the move, Connecting is not Enough - The Networking Radio Show is available on my website, YouTube and to subscribe to on iTunes.

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

Email: andy@lopata.co.uk

Skype: andylopata

I look forward to hearing from you.

Andy

Top Tip: Time is on your Side

Once people discover networking, very often they throw themselves into it as the solution to all their problems. It's tempting to go to networking events morning, noon and night throughout the week.

The danger is that you lose sight of what's important and fail to pay attention either to following up or to your business or job. And that will generate you a reputation for being unreliable, not a reputation that's easy to shake.

Know how much time you can commit to networking without burning yourself out or letting your business suffer. Don't forget to factor in the time spent following up. Then prioritise the most important actions.

Networking may seem time consuming at first but, if you approach it in the right way, your network can potentially save you a great deal of time and money in the long run.

Understand what you want to achieve from your networks and ask yourself how much time would be invested if you tried to reach the same objectives by another route.

Video: Why Networking Events Won't Change Your Business Overnight

Not only can your business suffer from too much networking, but a catch all approach can lead to very little return. A more focused approach is certainly more effective, as one business owner I coached discovered.

Why attending networking events won't change your business overnight

Interviewing the Experts: Peter Roper

I recently interviewed Peter Roper, who co-authored '...and Death Came Third!' with me in 2006. Peter has been on quite a journey since our book, having lost and rebuilt his business. He's shared his story in 'Running on Empty' since and now is on the verge of publishing a new book on managing your reputation, with Lesley Morrisey who edited both '...and Death Came Third!' and 'Recommended'.

I asked Peter to share some of the key lessons from his journey with us and to offer his top tips on managing your reputation.

Reputation, reputation, reputation...

Just for Fun: The Motherhood

This video has been showing up across social media lately and is an excellent example of viral advertising. There certainly seems to be much more imagination shown by advertising agencies online than on the more traditional media these days.

Anyway, 'The Motherhood' will probably appeal mainly to young mothers but I found it very funny and inventive. Enjoy.

'The Motherhood' feat. Fiat 500L

Andy Online

Andy's Books

Recommended: How to sell through networking and referrals

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

Kindle version

Recent blogs and interviews

The Number One Networking New Year Resolution

Huffington Post

What people say

"Andy was one of our highest rated speakers for 2012. This was critically important as he was the lead-off speaker in our inaugural year of the Russell Women's Network.

He worked with me to ensure that the message was consistent and genderless (as men were encouraged to attend). It was professionally done and consistently delivered.

I think it speaks miles that Andy was able to get good crowds with a nice balance of men and women at a women's network event. I personally have used his tips and bits from his speech to expand my network exponentially in the last year, as have my colleagues."

Jill M. Naas

Director, Investment Division

Russell Investments