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In a meeting earlier this week, the person I met with told me that the biggest problem in her sector was organisations failing to encourage their staff to speak with each other across teams and share ideas.
Her words didn't surprise me. Because I hear the same story whoever I'm speaking to. Whatever the sector, once an organisation reaches a certain size (often barely into double figures), communication between colleagues seems to suffer. In fact, I often see more competition than I do collaboration within and across many teams.
So, with that in mind, what can you do this week to improve collaboration in your organisation? Who can you invite for lunch, or for a coffee, who you don't speak with unless it's a transactional request? Who is working on the same clients as you or with the same suppliers, but in different areas? How much can you learn by sharing experiences?
Just take a few simple steps to share and collaborate and you'll find your performance improves and targets are reached with more ease. Share those steps across the organisation and who knows what you could achieve....together.
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On 1st June I'll be hosting a debate on 'What Business Can Expect as a Result of the General Election'. Panelists include John Allan, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, Nigel Kershaw OBE, Executive Chairman of The Big Issue and Marianne Abib-Pech, author of The Financial Times Guide to Leadership.
The event is part of the Andy@Eight series of events at Eight Private Members Club in Moorgate, London.
I have a few tickets available for subscribers to this e-zine. If you would like to come along, please contact me at andy@lopata.co.uk.
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I'm delighted that I've been invited back to speak in Cardiff again in November. I'll be speaking at the annual Introbiz Business Expo at Cardiff City House of Sport. The event takes place on 5th and 6th November, I'll be speaking on the 5th.
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I hope you enjoy the newsletter and look forward to your feedback. Please do check out the blogs listed on the right hand side of the page for lots of extra ideas, tips and thoughts.
Let me know what you think.
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 2015. All rights reserved.
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| Video Tip: How NOT to Get Referrals - webinar for Contactually |
Last Tuesday I presented a webinar for the US CRM (client relationship management) site Contactually. One of the participants emailed me afterwards and told me, " It was riveting, packed with great advice, and very well presented. In fact, it was the best webinar I had ever listened to."
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The A to Z of Networking: F is for...
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Follow up
Why would you waste time making new connections or building relationships with people only to let all of the effort fall by the wayside because you don't follow up?
Whether building the conversation with people you've met at events (NOT just sending a LinkedIn connection request) or maintaining that conversation once a relationship has been established, the value in your network lies in how deep it is as much as in how broad or diverse it is.
And that depth is built through ongoing contact.
Fun and Friendship
Networking should be fun!
Yes, it is an important part of your business strategy but it's one of the processes in your business that you can fully enjoy, whatever your personality.
If you're networking at events, many of which take place outside normal office hours, that experience needs to be one you look forward to. And the same goes for conversations you have with the people in your network.
If you don't have fun, it will show. And people don't tend to enjoy the company of people who don't want to be with them. Be yourself, find people whose company you like, make friends and enjoy time spent with them.
F is also for...
Farming, not Hunting
Traditionally, salespeople have viewed networking events as an opportunity to 'capture' new business and stalk their prey. People don't go to networking events to be sold to. Sow the seeds and allow a relationship to bloom. The rewards will be way above the short term sale chased down by the hunters.
Focus
Results from networking don't just happen by chance. You should be focused on what you want to achieve and how you will get there if you want to get close to maximising your potential return.
First Impressions
Make sure you make a positive first impression on everyone you meet. Consider the way you present yourself, how you speak, your confidence and courtesy and the importance of a smile.
Filter
You meet a lot of people at events and through networking. How do you filter those you want to build a relationship with and those you can't? With time limited, you need to work out how to filter. There's no simple answer though.
Facilitate
Don't just network for your own ends. Always look out for opportunities for other people and facilitate introductions wherever possible and appropriate.
Face-to-Face
With the growth of social networks it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you can simply network online. But you can't build a relationship online to the same depth that you can when you meet someone in person. Find time to meet people face to face wherever possible.
Facebook
Written off as a distraction or simply a social tool by many but a great opportunity to share, promote and engage. And where I turn to for many of the ideas in this piece!
Yet again, it was tough leaving out a lot of good ideas that came from people, mainly on Facebook. Thanks for all of your suggestions Laurence Lowne, Ian Steel, James Nathan, Jo Simpson, Arvind Devalia, David Bingham, Mark Lee, Debbie Tarrier, Shelley Jenner, Birgit Neu, Paul Skinner, Agnes Fitzgerald, Tim Houston, Phil Williams, Baiju Solanki, Richard Carman, David McQueen, Ravi Jain, Jim Ewan, Eithne Treanor, Paul Brown, Clive Wilson, Annie Brooks, Renee Rosenberg, Prith Biant and Lottie Hearn Ross.
If you want to find out the host of excellent suggestions that have been missed out, check out the discussion on my profile on Facebook.
Now...what are your Networking 'G's?
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| Just for Fun: 50 Shades of Tory | |
I was going to leave all of the UK General Election related memes and videos to one side for this slot, figuring that we've probably all had enough. But then I came across the new Twitter account, ' 50 Shades of Tory'. Whatever your politics, I'm a big fan of poking fun at our politicians. And this does that with a cheeky grin.
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| ?Recent blogs and interviews | |
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