The summer is here and with it has come a host of opportunities to dine out on the generosity of our business associates.

The cricket season is in full swing (having already enjoyed the Test match atmosphere at Lords with Investec last month, I'm looking forward to a day out at Essex v Australia next week). Meanwhile, the annual corporate binges at Ascot and Queens Club were enjoyed by many last week and Wimbledon is on the horizon.

It's easy to be caught between a rock and a hard place at these events. After all, it's considered 'bad form' to run around to all of your fellow guests, handing out your business cards and exchanging elevator pitches but your colleagues and bosses at work want to see a justification for the time spent out of the office, hopefully enjoying yourself.

How do you get that balance right?

My advice? Simply relax and enjoy yourself!

That might not be what your boss wants to hear but take the focus away from seeking out potential clients and you'll be a more interesting person to be around. You'll enjoy a number of interesting conversations, some of which may lead to attractive opportunities.

Talking about networking behaviour with two attendees at an event a few years ago, one commented that "you recognise when someone is networking poorly, but don't actually notice it when someone networks well."

He was absolutely right. Good networkers act naturally and enjoy conversations. They are focused on the people in the room, while able to recognise when they should take the conversation further, or in a different direction. Everything is natural. Good networkers collect relationships rather than business cards.

Poor networkers work a room methodically, going through the networking dance each time of "What do you do? - elevator pitch - business card exchange". It's obvious, it's unnatural and it's no fun for anyone involved. And when you're at a hospitality event, it's even more out of place than normal.

If you are natural when you network and you simply show a genuine interest in the people around you, others will feel comfortable in your company and they will want to see you again, find out more about what you do and help you.

And in the meantime, you can all enjoy the entertainment beyond the hospitality suite!

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To help you relax and enjoy yourself over the summer, whether at a corporate social or a standard networking event, we have decided to make my networking tips book, 'It's Not Rocket Science' available to you for free.

In the book I offer twelve tips to help you 'make the room work for you' and network both naturally and with confidence. Click on the image below to download your copy.

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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

Email: andy@lopata.co.uk

Skype: andylopata

I look forward to hearing from you.

Andy

Video Tip: LNTV Interview

I was recently interviewed by Learning Now TV on the power of networking strategically.

The A to Z of Networking: H is for...

Honesty

I am frequently amazed at the masks people wear when engaging with their network. If everyone is doing so well in business and work, how on earth have we just been through seven years of a global economic downturn?!

Surround yourself with people with whom you can be open and honest...and then do so. If you don't tell people where you are facing challenges, they are going to be unable to help you.

And whether or not you have established that trust, be honest in all of your interactions with people you meet. Sooner or later, if you're not, people find out.

Honouring your Word

Strongly linked to Honesty is seeing through what you promise to other people. Just as when people find you to be dishonest, word spreads quickly when you get a reputation for letting people down.

Don't make any commitments without thinking them through. That ranges from introductions you promise to make and support you offer, to telling someone you'll follow up with them after exchanging cards at a networking event.

H is also for...

Hosting

Read any book on networking skills and the author will tell you that 'acting as the host', even if you're not, is a great way to engage with other attendees. Show an interest in others, introduce them to each other and never leave anyone standing on their own.

Happiness

Relax and enjoy the experience. If you're happy in the networking environment, you'll be a far more pleasant person for everyone else there.

Helping others

Take yourself out of the equation in every conversation and seek to help other people. The more you do so, the more others will want to help you. But don't expect help in return, just give for the pleasure of doing so.

Humour

Part of being Happy is to relax and enjoy yourself. Carry a sense of humour with you into every conversation and you'll find it so much easier to build rapport. Just use it advisedly!

Heaven.....or Hell

Networking events for different people! Ultimately, they are neither. They offer opportunities to meet new people and discover interesting conversations.

Handshakes

A key part of making a strong first impression, so get it right. Not weak and weedy, nor overpowering. Your handshake should represent the right blend of self-confidence and empathy.

Halitosis

Careful what you eat before you go into meetings...and take some strong mints with you!

Many thanks again for all of the suggestions on Facebook and Twitter.

This month's contributions came from Claire Boyles, Laurence Lowne, Agnes Fitzgerald, Lynda Shaw, Jackie Barrie, David Bingham, Ian Steel, Rhiannon Evans, Su Butcher, Debbie Tarrier, Shelley Jenner, Annabel Kaye, Phil Williams, Jim Ewan and Emma Fryer.

If you want to find out a number of the ideas that have missed out, check out the discussion on my profile on Facebook and the Facebook page.

Next time out we'll be looking at your networking I's. What do you think should be in the list?

Just for Fun: "Come Inside My Brand"

Thanks to Jackie Barrie for sending me this gem. Here are extracts from real LinkedIn profile summaries performed by actors.