I have a challenge for you.

What project are you working on that you're struggling with at the moment?

What task keeps on staring at you, crying to be completed but you keep on moving on to something easier?

Now, who do you know who can help you?

I'm a great believer that most of us struggle to ask for help often enough. We battle on, banging our heads against the wall, when the answer or innovative solution we seek, is at the end of a telephone line.

Even though I teach this, I'm not immune. I've spent two weeks staring at a presentation I was due to deliver this morning, with just two areas of the presentation incomplete and not looking right.

Just three phone calls and a couple of social media chats on Tuesday were needed in the end. With the help of my network I believe we created some excellent new content, not just for those two areas but also across the whole talk. Content I would have missed without reaching out.

I've now invited three of those people to join me for a day to explore new content more deeply and to look into their key business issues too.

So, what is the challenge that's holding you up? And who should you be picking up the phone to?

----------------------------------------------

I am often asked for information about when people can see me speak. Unfortunately, public presentations have been few and far between in recent months, with most of my work being at client only events.

However, there are three opportunities to see me speak coming up in May...and they are nicely spread out!

You can see me at two Professional Speaking Association Meetings and I'll be going back to one of my favourite countries too:

10th May - PSA South East, Brands Hatch. I'll be answering questions about my speaking business and career to date. You can also see some of the new talent in the speaking profession be put through their paces in the regional heats of the annual Speaker Factor competition.

Details and booking here.

17th May - West of Sweden Chamber of Commerce, Gothenburg. I'm delighted to be invited back to a great Chamber in a beautiful city as part of their International Business Week celebrations.

Details and booking here.

24th May - PSA Scotland, Edinburgh. I'm being put through my paces here with a brand new keynote making it's debut appearance ('Bigger than You - The Secret Power of Your Network'), ten top tips for speakers to generate new business and another question and answer session about my business and career.

Details aren't available at the time of writing as their April event is tonight! Drop me a line if you'd like the link by replying to this email.

I hope to see you at one of the above.

----------------------------------------------

Can I ask for your help please?

I am looking for the use of a relatively large room in the City of London for modern choir sessions one evening per week.

I am becoming a trustee of a fantastic charity, The Fiorentini Foundation. The Foundation is the charitable arm of the well known Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School, which provides lessons to children in Hackney, Camden, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich in London. Students from the school have gone on to appear on the West End stage, in hit television shows such as Eastenders and even to win The Voice on ITV.

The charity raises money for children who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to go to the school, many of whom learn new life skills, have their confidence boosted, learn to express themselves and find a different path to one of violence and gang culture.

Stage and the City was founded a couple of years ago to support the Foundation. Throughout the year classes are available in London for adults to participate in singing, dancing, drama, flash mob and musical theatre.

Currently we are looking for a place to host the weekly City Singers modern choir class. A boardroom or large meeting room in a City office will be ideal, the class takes place after normal working hours.

It's a great way for a London business to contribute to the local community with ease and also perhaps, to offer something different for their staff to get involved with.

Can you help? If so, please let me know.

Thanks!

------------------------------------------------------------

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: Are You Curious Enough?

A couple of years ago I visited the magical Lake Baikal on a speaking trip to Siberia. And I took a minute out of my time to ask a question.....are you asking enough questions?

The A to Z of Networking: S is for... (part one)

Strategy

What so many people and businesses have traditionally lacked when it comes to networking, and why I have a business!

Why are we so disciplined when it comes to strategies in other areas of our business and career but we leave networking to chance?

Be Supportive and Selfless

Your strategy should tell you how you'll get a return from your investment in networking, but you need to invest first.

"When we give cheerfully and accept gracefully, everyone is blessed". Maya Angelou

S is also for...

Sincerity

People will see through you quickly if you put on a mask when building relationships

Sensitivity

It's not about you, put yourself into the shoes, and feelings, of people throughout your network

Solitude

Maybe networking events aren't the place to go when you want to be alone!

Show up

If you've registered for an event pay some courtesy to your host and turn up, or at least let them know if you can't

Sense of Humour

I typed the advice above while running late for an event! Keep your sense of humour at all times (and apologise if the host has lost theirs).

Seize the Moment

Every event, every conversation may provide you with a tremendous opportunity. Grab it with both hands.

Speak Your Truth

Say what you mean and do what you say

Yet again, it was tough leaving out a lot of good ideas that came from people on Facebook and a long list of suggestions from last month's star Tanya Wheway.

Thanks also for all of your suggestions
Ian Steel, Andrew Bernie Bernard, Lee Warren, Debbie Tarrier, Nigel Risner, Jo Simpson, Liz Sorton, Kapil Kapur, Jackie Barrie, Jim Ewan, Martin Watt, Tony Westwood, Gordon Tredgold, Arvind Devalia, Lynda Shaw, Paul Brown and Rhiannon Evans

Part two to come next month.

Just for Fun: Beat Me on the Bottom With The Woman's Weekly

Like most people of my generation, the last few months have seen one icon of our youth after another become just a memory.

Yet another left us yesterday and I found myself saying 'no' out loud when I saw the news that Victoria Wood has died of cancer at just 62 years old.

I knew straight away what song should take pride of place here today. This is quintessentially English humour and great fun. Enjoy while you remember another great artist lost.