Last week was a stressful one.

I received a message on Facebook from someone I didn't know. The full story can be found in my blog here but the short version is that my images had been used on a fake Facebook profile to bully, harass and attempt to defraud this woman.

Despite her friend's son reporting the fraud, the fake profile had not been taken down and this continued despite many of my friends and social media contacts also reporting it. We finally managed to get the profile taken down but how many people were victims of the same fraud in the meantime?

Just a couple of days later a colleague of mine had the same issue and again Facebook were slow to respond. No sooner was the fake profile using his images taken down on Tuesday than another rose up in its place.

This is a growing concern and Facebook just aren't responding quickly enough. I have shared a lot of the story of the woman who contacted me in the blog but there is more that I haven't shared out of respect for her wishes. It's not nice to hear.

I wouldn't wish this to happen to anyone reading this e-zine, nor for you to find your images being used in this way. There are a couple of steps you can take to protect yourself:

1 - I've searched for ways to protect your photos but not found any really satisfactory method. You can set your privacy settings to Friends or Friends of Friends but that will mean your profile picture won't be seen by anyone else. You might choose this method for other pictures on your profile.

2 - Find out if your photo is being used elsewhere by searching for the images online. The victim's sister in my case found my real identity using a website called Catfish. You can also right click on any image on a website and do a Google search, as illustrated below.

3 - Don't accept connection requests from friends when you think you're already connected to them. Check first. This is another type of fraud that is becoming more prevalent.

Apparently these issues aren't confined to Facebook and you need to be aware on LinkedIn and other social networks too.

Don't let this scare you off making connections and using these sites, which offer so many positives. Just be aware and cautious. Please also educate your network by sharing my experiences with them or the tips above.

I know that we're swimming against the tide but we can all play a small role in both educating people using social networks and by putting pressure on the owners of our data to take stronger action more quickly.

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I'm planning to recover from the stress over the coming days. As you read this I should be landing in Malta and enjoying some sunshine and fine wine at their Wine Festival, as well as running two workshops for the Academy for Chief Executives while I'm there.

There's nothing wrong with mixing business and pleasure when your business is a pleasure! Thanks also to Nigel Risner for making another couple of introductions for me to connect with during my trip.

I'll be going to Luxembourg in the autumn on a purely business trip. If you know anyone I should connect with while I'm in Town, please let me know.

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I've mentioned in the past that I'm heavily involved in The Fiorentini Foundation, becoming a trustee of the charity.

The Fiorentini Foundation provides funding for places at the Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School for children who otherwise couldn't afford to attend. Many come from some of the toughest areas of London and the school provides a fantastic opportunity to give them confidence, the ability to express themselves and an alternative to gang culture.

Every two years the school takes over the famous Hackney Empire and puts on an amazing variety show. I've been a couple of times and the performances have been exceptional. Graduates of the school have gone on to perform on the West End stage (including Oliver, The Lion King and The Bodyguard), television (including Eastenders) and even winning The Voice UK.

This year's show, the 15th Anniversary performance, takes place on October 1st and there are a number of corporate packages available. We are trying to raise �30,000 by December to fund 100 children per term for the next three years.

If you or anyone in your company would be interested in this, please check out the full details here and get in touch with the school through the details provided, or let me know. Please do share this to help us sell out the packages and reach our target.

Many thanks.

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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: Same old, same old

It's too easy to surround ourselves with people just like us. People with the same background, in the same job or industry, of the same age or gender.

But doing so leaves us with the same solutions and approaches to the same problems.

Sometimes we need something different.

How a Diverse Network Encourages Innovation and Problem Solving

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

Visability

If your network don't know what you do, what you need or who you want to speak to, how can they help you?

Understand where you can best raise your profile and use a mix of networking events, introductions and social networks to develop a strong profile and powerful message.

Vulnerability

Drop the mask of brilliant. The more you can create a trusted network around you of people who want to help, the more they will want to. If they don't know that you need support, they can't provide that help.

Ensure also that your network know that they can trust you and be open and honest in your presence.

V is also for...

Voracious/Vibrant

Be enthusiastic and a delight to be around.

Voice and Volume

Ensure people can hear you clearly, but not if they are engaged in a different conversation on the other side of the room!

Don't be Vague

Your job is to make it as easy as possible for people to help you.

Creating a Viral Message

Will people remember your message accurately and want to share it?

Visit People

Go to see people at their place of work where appropriate to get a greater understanding of their business. And build in visits to people in your network when travelling for other meetings.

V.A.K

Understand different learning styles (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) and try to communicate in a way that will resonate for each individual.

Veracity

Tell the truth and be honest with people you meet. It will pay off in the long term.

Don't be a Victim

While honesty is important, positivity is key.

What a great response to my request for Vs, I feel positively Victorious! I didn't see a Part 2 coming for this letter but there are plenty left in the tank.

Thanks for all of your suggestions Laurence Lowne, Nigel Wyatt, Craig Sharp, Stefan Chmelik, Michael Birchmore, Kelly Molson, Sherrilyn Reynolds, Mark Lee, Franco Milazzo, Paul Brown, Rhiannon Evans, Derek Woolley, Gordon Tredgold, Simon L�fgren, Vanessa Vallely, Faye Kilgour, Shelley Jenner, Lynda Shaw, Justine Perry, John Mulrey, Martin Goodyer, Lesley Everett, Ian Steel, Philip Williams and Paul Strong.

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

Just for Fun: It's a Free Ride but your Uber's Down the Street

As a big music fan, I loved Alanis Morrisette's recent appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden updating the lyrics of her classic hit 'Ironic'.

And I was even more delighted that she realised that she had never actually understood the definition of irony!

Missed it? Fear not...

Andy Online

The Networking Shop

Recommended: How to sell through networking and referrals

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

Kindle version

iPhone App

?Recent blogs and interviews

Why Does Facebook Allow Identity Theft, Bullying and Scamming within its 'Community Values'?

Huffington Post

How to get a job (without applying for one)

Glamour Magazine

What people say...

'Andy presented an excellent tailored session on networking to BDO's directors and principals.

He came highly recommended and the feedback received by attendees completely supported that he was the right person to invite as an external speaker to our event. At each stage of the event from planning to delivery to follow up, Andy's approach was extremely impressive.

He spent time at the outset understanding us, the way we work and our key objectives, and this continued with discussions with us in the run up to the event to shape the session to our needs.

His delivery was really engaging and struck a great balance of encouraging group based discussion and provoking thoughts through his skilled insight. After the event he has followed up with us in terms of key messages specific to our session.

With Andy's involvement we were able to fully meet the aims of the session and I would wholeheartedly recommend others to have him run a session based on the benefits of him doing so for us'

ANDREW KELLY
Director / Human Capital Services

BDO

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