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The onslaught of new social media apps and sites shows no signs of slowing down....but perhaps people finally realise that there are limits.
There has been outrage this week both online and in the mainstream media about a new app described by its founder as 'Yelp for People', allowing people to review each other (yes, really).
In case you haven't worked out just what a terrible idea this is, I'll let John Oliver spell it out for you in his own, inimitable, style (with some swearing).
Apparently Peeble's founder has found out just how nasty the social media world can be and has backtracked on her comments, also closing down their Facebook and Twitter pages.
But the launch goes ahead. Julie Cordray told Entrepreneur that Peeble is a 'positive only' app where criticism can't be posted, only good things.
I struggle to see the value of this app either way. A positive only app wuld seem to lack any critical value whatsoever, while the response to Cordray, as outlined in the Entrepreneur article, is completely unacceptable and demonstrates how such an app could easily backfire.
Social networking sites and apps can be a tremendous force for good in so many ways, but we have to be sensible in how we approach and how we develop them.
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The Ambition 2015 event I mentioned in the last edition of 'Connecting is not Enough' now forms part of this year's Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world's largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship, playing a critical role in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to start their own business. Last year in the UK over 500 partner organisations hosted 2,500 events attended by over 340,000 people across the country.
In 2015 the campaign will take place from 16-22 November. Global Entrepreneurship Week inspires people through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.
In the UK, Global Entrepreneurship Week is hosted by Startup Direct, UnLtd, Virgin StartUp and Youth Business International, in partnership with Barclays. The theme for the UK in 2015 is Make it Happen, encouraging individuals to take a step to start or grow their business.
Join the conversation on Twitter with #GEWmakeit @GEWUK
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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: Why Simply Asking for Referrals Doesn't Work |
It never ceases to amaze me how often people expect referrals from people they have only just met, and why they are frustrated when said referrals are not forthcoming.
Here's why...
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The A to Z of Networking: M is for...
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Motivation, Mood and Mindset
Networking effectively relies on the right state of mind. If you approach it with reluctance, distaste, negativity or fear then that can easily influence how you are perceived.
Understand why you are networking and what it will help you achieve. Be comfortable with building long-term relationships rather than hunting for the quick sale. And if you really are in the wrong mood and can't shift that, take your negativity elsewhere and come back another day. Otherwise you'll do yourself more harm than good.
Getting your Message right
Many of the benefits of networking occur when you're not in the room. People across your network will have a host of opportunities to talk about you, create opportunities for you and to refer or recommend you. And you won't necessarily know about it.
So what are you doing to equip your network to recognise those opportunities and know what to say. You need to create a message that is sticky (easily remembered) and transferable (accurately repeated) and be comfortable sharing it in conversation whenever the opportunity arises.
M is also for...
Managing your Network
Are you using an effective relationship management system to keep track of the contacts you make and ensure you maintain a strong connection?
Meetings
Whether 1-2-1 to small groups, seeing people in person is the most powerful way of strengthening relationships and providing mutual support.
Meaningful Connections
Networking is not about exchanging business cards, elevator pitches or connections online. Focus on the depth of your relationships as much as on the breadth of your network.
Membership
If you find the right formal network to help you achieve your goals, whether online or offline, join, commit and know what you have to put in to ensure you achieve the results you want.
Mingle
You'll not get the most out of any event by standing alone or in a group with your friends.
Manners
Good networkers don't interrupt people who are talking to others, push their cards and elevator pitches onto strangers or visibly write people off as soon as they've met them.
It's not about Me, Me, Me
But it is about them, them, them. "Blessed are they who give without remembering and receive without forgetting", Elizabeth Asquith Bibesco.
Thanks again for the suggestions on Facebook. Yet again not every idea made the cut, many of which deserved a space. Thanks to Nigel Risner (sorry your monkeys didn't make it!), Adam Harris, Ian Steel, Julian Woodward, Debbie Tarrier (hic!), Laurence Lowne (trying to get a better interest rate?), Peter Ramsden, Matt Purser, Rhiannon Evans, Mark Lee, Arvind Devalia, Shelley Jenner, Lee Warren, Paul Brown and John Jameson.
If you want to find out a number of the ideas that have missed out, check out the discussion on my profile on Facebook.
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| Just for Fun: Out of Africa | |
Regular readers may know that I'm a big fan of American satirical news show The Daily Show (if not, the John Oliver clip above should give you a hint!).
Last week South African comedian Trevor Noah stepped into the huge footprints left by previous host Jon Stewart, and he made a strong impression very quickly. Not least with his take on Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump's likeness to a range of African dictators.
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| | America's African President |
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| ?Recent blogs and interviews | |
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