Time flies when you're having fun!

It's hard to believe that 2016 has seen two major milestones for me.

Ten years ago, in 2006 Peter Roper and I published the first edition of '...and Death Came Third!' on Bookshaker, a book that people still talk to us about and which many people continue to recommend, for which we are always grateful.

What do you mean you've never read it?! Let me put that right immediately. We've managed to arrange for the price of the Kindle edition of '...and Death Came Third!' to be reduced to �1.99 (or $2.61 on Amazon.com) from today until September 30th.

Five years ago, 2011, was a very busy year for me. Not only did we publish the second edition of '...and Death Came Third!' with Panoma Press and the Singapore / Malaysian edition but also saw the publication of my third book, 'Recommended: How to Sell Through Networking and Referrals' by Financial Times Prentice Hall.

Along with Panoma Press, Peter and I would like to mark the tenth anniversary of '...and Death Came Third!'. So we have turned to a number of our friends in business and asked them to join the party.

We recognise that '...and Death Came Third!' is very much a 'back to basics' book. It offers simple, practical advice on how to network at events and speak in public. With so much more detailed and strategic advice available (such as in 'Recommended'), it's important not to lose sight of the basics.

So over the course of September we will be publishing a blog a day sharing some of the best 'basic' business tips. Included will be basic guides to PR, social media, negotiation, sales, motivation, energy and more.

Keep an eye on #andDeathCameThird on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram from the 1st for links, tips from the book and much more.

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You may not always spot them here as they hide in the corner but I hope you have time to check out some of the blogs that I write from time to time. They are always listed in the right hand margin of Connecting is not Enough.

One blog I wrote recently got a very strong response, both on our website and on LinkedIn. Funnily enough it was a spontaneous share that I nearly didn't write but it seems to have struck a nerve for many.

You can read it here - Why I Don't Want You to Recommend Me. Please comment and share if it also resonates with you.

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Some dates for your diary if you'd like to come and see me present.

On 29th September I'll be sharing How to Make the Room Work for You at Hertford Entrepreneurs at Hertford Castle (in, believe it or not, Hertford, Hertfordshire!). Details are here.

On 4th October I'll be unveiling a brand new presentation on

The Networking Mindset for the Women in Banking and Finance, details to follow but email me in the meantime if you want to come.

14th November sees the return of Ambition 2016 (with a slight renaming from last year's Ambition 2015!), the sales and marketing conference I launched last year in my local area in association with a range of local businesses, media and business organisations.

I will be speaking again this year and joined by, among others, Jack Ismail, Director of Retail Operations at Specsavers, Janey Lee Grace of BBC Radio 2 and David McQueen. Details can be found here.

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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: Networking Events are NOT Networking

A short, but hopefully sweet, networking tip from me this week. There's a popular misconception that networking is all about events but it's really not...

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

Who, What, When, Where, Why (and How)...?

Make the focus of your conversations other people. Be curious and ask them questions about their challenges, their goals and how you might be able to help them.

Your questions should be relevant to the moment and to what they have just said, not pre-prepared.

Work the Room

A phrase coined by the brilliant Susan RoAne in her book title over a quarter of a century ago and still relevant today.

When you go to networking events make sure that you break out of the comfort zone of speaking to your friends and colleagues. You don't need to speak to everyone at the event but it is important to seek out new conversations if your goal is to build your network.

W is also for...

Welcoming and Warmth

Be friendly and supportive of others, particularly at events where they may feel nervous.

Willingness

To listen to others, to help others and to ask for help yourself

Wish List

Have clear objectives and a clear focus on the introductions and support you need.

Wait

In conversation, wait for the right moment to offer your contribution; in relationships, wait until people are ready to help before asking.

Watching

Be aware of body language, both in conversation with you and in the wider room. Respect what it tells you about other people's openness and comfort.

Wine

Free flowing at many events, enjoy but don't let too much destroy all of your hard work!

'What do you do?'

The networking equivalent of 'Do you come here often?'!

Thanks again for all of the excellent contributions. Ideas for Ws came from Nigel Risner, Laurence Lowne, Andrew Bernard, Jackie Barrie, Ian Steel, Paul Strong, Annabel Meade, Shelley Jenner, Neil Giller, Rhiannon Evans, Debbie Tarrier, Adam Harris, Simon Raybould and Nikki Owen.

I now have a challenge and the answer is in your hands. Do we see the end of the series next time out with an 'XYZ' compilation or can we find enough ideas to treat each letter to an individual focus?

Get your ideas for all three letters to me before 12th September at andy@lopata.co.uk and you'll find out the answer on the 15th September.

Just for Fun: The Biles

I can't not mention The Olympics can I? What a brilliant performance from Team GB (apologies if you're reading this in China!).

Controversially perhaps, I'm not focusing on a British athlete this week but an American one. I missed seeing Simone Biles in the gymnastics but heard so much about her that I thought I'd find out some more.

I'm glad I did.