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As this week's missive is landing in your inbox I'll be preparing to leave Vancouver and head to New York after a busy few days at the Global Speakers Summit. 
 
Yesterday morning a group of British speakers hosted a breakfast meeting at our hotel to introduce ourselves to some senior executives at local companies, including some very well known multinationals.

 

The event was only agreed a couple of weeks before our trip to Vancouver and invitations went out through second degree contacts on LinkedIn. A few minutes research and some introduction requests to our contacts and we were in front of some very high level business people on the other side of the world.

 

It doesn't take much effort to use sites like LinkedIn to tremendous effect. When was the last time you sought potential new contacts through the site and asked for introductions?

 

I'm now looking forward to my trip to New York and a full day of meetings tomorrow with other people I've been introduced to through referrals from my network. 

 

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Amazingly this is my last edition of 'Connecting is not Enough' of the year. We seem to be constantly amazed at the pace of events and passing of the months these days, please don't tell me that it's age related! 
 
Have a wonderful break over the holiday season and thank you for your support this year. I'll be back in January and we're planning some big changes in what we have to offer to you as a business. So keep on watching this space. 
 
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I hope you enjoy 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 2013. All rights reserved.

 

5 Ways to: Make the right first impression

ONE: Be Positive
 A good posture, a winning smile and a firm handshake are the cornerstone of a good first impression. 

Of course, that's not to suggest that you should stand on your toes, reveal all of your teeth or attempt to crush the other person's hand! As we'll explore shortly, don't overdo things or act inappropriately. Relax, be natural but be positive. 

TWO: Listen and Learn
People are interested in people who are interested in them. Drop the 'Networking Dance' of elevator pitch exchanges and instead show a genuine interest in the other person. 

Meeting people in a business environment doesn't always mean that you have to just talk about business. Find something you have in common, whether it's the person who introduced you, the place you're meeting or a shared interest you're aware of. 

Get to know the person first if you can and the business talk will flow so much more easily. 

THREE: Bite Your Tongue
Put your own agenda to one side for the moment and ask questions. If you have your own agenda for a meeting, the other person will be far more likely to want to help you if you've made them feel good about themselves first.
Of course, if the other person shows clear buying signs or starts to ask you questions about business or role, I'm not suggesting that you should be a shrinking violet. But don't push yourself forward before you've developed a rapport. 
 
FOUR: Be Yourself
It's tempting to try to be someone you're not in order to create a strong impression. Don't. You're much better showing off the best of you than an impersonation of someone else. 

People like and trust people who they feel are authentic. Maintain an authentic, yet appropriate, manner when you meet people and relax. 

FIVE: Follow Up
All of the above will be meaningless if you don't follow up after your meeting. Within a few days you will be forgotten. 

Send a simple email to touch base immediately after your meeting and perhaps connect on LinkedIn and/or follow the other person on Twitter.

If you can then meet up again within a few weeks you will have more chance of not just creating a first impression but of building a long term relationship. 
Video: Social Media into 2014

At The Digital Marketing Show I was asked for my thoughts on the future of social media over the coming year by digital news site Dot Rising

Andy Lopata | Digital Insights at the Digital Marketing Show 2013
Andy Lopata | Digital Insights at the Digital Marketing Show 2013

  
Interviewing the Experts: Drew Ellis of Like Minds

After my recent talk on the Like Minds stage at The Digital Marketing Show I caught up with Like Minds founder, Drew Ellis. I asked Drew about social media's role in amplifying conversations and how to protect  your comments from being blown out of proportion. 
  
Social Media and Thought Leadership
Social Media and Thought Leadership

Just for Fun: Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay
 
Last month Facebook friends and Twitter followers would have seen me rave about a New York singer who was supporting Jools Holland in Cambridge and absolutely blew the whole audience away. 
 
A couple of weeks later she appeared on the Chris Evans programme on BBC Radio 2 and showed that her support performance wasn't a one off. Listen to this wonderful cover version to find out what I'm raving about:
 
Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay
Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay
Andy Online
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The Networking Shop
Recommended
Recommended: How to sell through networking and referrals

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

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Rubber Cheese
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What people say...
"I was privileged to attend a seminar where Andy was our Guest speaker; He was precise, motivational, inspiring and captivating throughout. "
  
Su Marin
Personal Development Manager
Forever and Ever
 
"Andy is highly creative, personable and driven, bringing excellence and integrity to everything he touches. He has been an enormous help to me, as adviser and mentor, and I would recommend anyone wishing to learn more about the potentials of Business Networking, or to maximise their returns in this area, to look no further. "
 
Jon Lloyd,
Instigate Teletraining