4 Great situations for #networkmarketing and a useful check-list

“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about”

so Oscar Wilde, the playwright, is reputed to have said. 

It is not such a bad maxim for a networking entrepreneur.

Networking is an increasingly popular method of new business generation through priming the likelihood of people talking about you and your company through introductions, referrals, recommendations and word of mouth advertising.

Networking provides you with an channel through which you can publicise yourself and your business by personal communication with as broad a selection of individuals as possible.

The more people talk about you and what you offer, the more business you are likely to pick up through referral and contacts.

Popular networking situations include:-

  
   1.  Formal networking events organised specifically for potential buyers and sellers to meet each other e.g. lunch clubs

.    

Sideline networking event at CIPD show

       2. Business events which are organised for a different specific purpose but as a sideline provide a networking opportunity. e.g. trade exhibitions 

 3. Social, family and leisure events where some of the people you meet are potential prospects to give business or recommend you to people who they know. ( suspects) e.g. parties, sports clubs, pubs, Round Table   

      4 .Ad hoc spontaneous contacts that by pure chance may be able to connect you with business opportunities e.g. near seat neighbour on a train, plan etc. ex –school friend on Friends united website.

Networking Objectives

•        To win business
•       To collect details of people who may give you business or refer to others who may give you business ( so that you can follow them up)
•       To give these people details of you, your company and your offer so they can pro-actively contact you.
•        To create a positive and accurate impression of what benefits people can achieve by working with you.
•       To get yourself and/or your business remembered so that you will come to mind when people come across a suitable opportunity for you.

As with so much in selling there is no such thing as luck in networking. Luck is where preparation meets opportunities.

So here a simple but useful check-list for networking

Event:_____________   Date:_________

1. ·        Timings of event ______________________________________
2. ·        Acceptance sent?______________________________________
3. ·        Venue_______________________________________________
4. ·        Host Organisation_____________________________________
5. ·        Directions and car parking details_________________________
6. ·        What is my role?______________________________________
7. ·        Who is the likely role?__________________________________
8. ·        Is there a guest list?____________________________________
9. ·        Who are my key contacts?_______________________________
10. ·        What is their reasons attending?__________________________
11. ·        What are my objectives?________________________________
12. ·        Have I prepared my elevator speech?______________________
13. ·        Will I need a “Just a minute” speech_______________________
14. ·        Colleagues attending?__________________________________
15. ·        Business cards in pocket/case?___________________________
16. ·        Research – FT.com, web, Newspapers/local newspapers?______
17. ·        Other information or actions required? ____________________

Good Luck , Good Networking, Good Selling !


Related Links

Going Clubbing ( Networking clubs)

Discover , Connect and Grow through networking

5 minute Biz buster - networking

Networking and Fundraising 'City style'

Going Clubbing - Have a break Have a Kit Cat. Business Directed #Conversation

Man is a sociable animal and we take all occasions and pretences of forming ourselves into those little nocturnal assemblies which are commonly known as clubs.                  

- Joseph Addison  co founder of the Spectator Magazine 

In the 17th  Century century business could well be seen to be conducted in the Coffee House and Taverns of the times. Coffee from Africa entered England in around 1650s.

Richard Steele co founder of the Spectator
National Portrait Gallery, London

Joseph Addison co founder of the Spectator
National Portrait Gallery, London

The Kit Cat club was a 18th-century English club in London with strong political and literary associations, committed to the furtherance of Whig objectives, meeting at the Trumpet tavern in London, and at Water Oakley in the Berkshire countryside.

The first meetings were held at a tavern in Shire Lane (parallel with Bell Yard where  the Royal Courts of Justice now stand) run by an innkeeper called Christopher Catt.

He gave his name to the mutton pies known as "Kit Cats" from which the name of the club is derived.

The club later moved to the Fountain Tavern on The Strand (now the site of Simpson's-in-the-Strand), and latterly into a room especially built for the purpose at Barn Elms, the home of the secretary Jacob Tonson.

 In summer, the club met at the Upper Flask, Hampstead Heath.

One bar bill for such an evening of the Kit Kat club read that the 55 members consumed

20 gallons of Claret
4 gallons of white wine
42 bottles of ale
and broke several glasses.

Coffee houses were popular for meeting friends and doing business and to read the latest books, periodicals  and even the Spectator. 

Launched in March 1711 the Spectator was a success. Selling for one penny it soon was selling  6,000 copies per issue.

 The readership was mainly supporters of the Whig party. Its purpose was to advance the moral and cultural refinement  seen as the  basis for a well ordered and genteel society.

The Spectator we know today is a weekly British conservative magazine. It was first published on 6 July 1828, making it the oldest continuously published magazine in the English language.

KitKat of our times

the chocolate-covered wafer biscuit bar confection
 formally known as Rowntree's Kit Kat bought by Nestle in 1988

The "Kit Kat" brand go back to 1911, when Rowntree's,  based in York , England, trademarked the terms "Kit Cat" and "Kit Kat". The first conception of the Kit Kat appeared in the 1920s, when Rowntree launched a brand of boxed chocolates entitled "Kit Cat".

The original four-finger bar was developed after a worker at Rowntree's York Factory put a suggestion in a recommendation box for a snack that "a man could take to work in his pack".

 The bar launched on 29 August 1935, under the title of "Rowntree's Chocolate Crisp" (priced at 2d), and was sold in London and throughout Southern England.

The product's official title of "Rowntree's Chocolate Crisp" was renamed "Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp" in 1937, the same year that 'Kit Kat' began to incorporate "Break" into its recognisable advertising strategy.

The colour scheme and first flavour variation to the brand came in 1942, owing to World War II, when food shortages prompted an alteration in the recipe. The flavour of "Kit Kat" was changed to "dark"; the packaging abandoned its "Chocolate Crisp" title, and was adorned in blue.

From 2002, Hershey Kit Kats adopted the slanted ellipse logo used

 worldwide by Nestlé, though the ellipse was red and the text white.

This is  a wrapper from one I bought in Chicago last year.

To me - the taste was slightly different

 After the war the title was altered to "Kit Kat" and resumed its original milk recipe and red packaging .

The slogan for KitKat around the world show those who enjoy KitKats make up one of the biggest clubs around !

チョコとウェハーの名コンビ, एक ब्रेक लें, एक किट कैट लें, Ha en paus, har en kitkat, Есть перерыв, есть KitKat, Bir Mola, bir kitkat var, Faites Un Pause, un Kitkat, Machen Sie Eine Pause, eine Kitkat,Ada Break, ada Kit Kat,Tener un Descanso, tener un kitkat, Tenha Uma Pausa, Tenha um Kitkat.................. Have a break, Have a KitKat.

After your break may I wish you Good Selling! 

Related Links

Are Business Networking Clubs worth the bother ?

5 stages of Successful networking

Rapid Networking in action

15 Key things to find out when networking

Charming your prospects from the networking tree

Value Added Learning and Development Entertrainment and Networking Day 2 #cipdLDshow

This year's CIPD show was a panorama of glitz , fizz and serious bizz !

The London CIPD L and D Show 2014 Conference staircase into the Exhibition space

The CIPD networking zone provided a opportunity for  exhibition visitors to make new connections. - fast and fun way  to make new contacts. Nutshell Sell Introductions would be handy  since you only have 3 minutes before the next musical chairs switch begins.

CIPD's Tracy Ferndale explaining the rules of engagement
for Speed Networking
You tube Video clip Speed Networking in action

The inner thespian bursts out when Learning and Development do exhibition show work.

 It proves that important work can be fun, informative and entertaining.

I went around some of this year's stands to take some photos of those prepared to go out on a limb and get creative. The enthusiasm of so many working the stands was infectious. 

Of course behind the exhibition's 'motley' are a community of serious business professionals selling ways to develop the most important assets of any business  its PEOPLE.

L and D Folk can sure strike a great pose !

L and D folk know how to roll up their sleeves 
and get stuck in

Creative illustrator Laurie Stansfield
 makes learning messages  'stick' !

Coordinated ,professional and engaging 
style  of Courageous Success Ltd

Striking ,Smart and Sharp -
   from  Pinnacle Performance Company

Chilli hot Riva Riva Riva from Business Learning Foundation

Well done CIPD  Events excellent show. 
See you next year at Olympia May 13th - 14th  2015

Related Links

Social media in work -is it worth it ?

Look and Learn at Day 1 2014 #cipdLDshow

Look ,Learn and Rapid Networking at CIPD Olympia 2014 #cipdLDShow

Approaching Olympia from Hammersmith this morning, I wondered whether the CIPD had changed its initials to NCIS.

 Along the pavement I was being passed by competitively striding folk with their eyes fixed with purposeful intent on the exhibition centre. 

They were wearing obligatory lanyards and clutching their to-go coffee cups. 

 They faintly reminded me of the members of the Major Case Response Team MCRT  ie. dead ringers for the likes of leader Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and his team of Dinozzo, McGee  Ziva and Abby et al.. 

Maybe they were  hurrying to catch up on lost time lost travelling due to the tube strike.

It all became clear  when I got to Olympia and saw a  make shift door sign. 

 The CIPD show were sharing the Olympia site with two other exhibitions/ conferences on forensics and counter terror !

Morning business was a little slow at the CIPD show due to the Tube strike. But by lunch time the dedicated L and D community had beaten a path to the doors of Olympia and the place was  buzzing.

This year's exhibition is a "Look and Learn" event,

The L and D community are constantly on the look out for what's hot and also the longer term value L and D can add to the heart of business.



As a show for L and D types, supplier stands give an opportunity for the inner thespian to burst out.  

The variety of stand dress varied from matching team T shirts ( black, green and red) seemed the most popular colours. Other sartorial approaches included orange tank top short sleeve sweaters, painters' white bib and brace overalls and ponchos with wide brim Mexican hats.

Ironically those presenting role play services and presentation coaching from the conventional theatre schools like RADA -in -Business  and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama chose conventional business attire.

Former TACK colleague of mine, David Starkings 

now Senior Account Exec with IT training 

specialists New Horizons London

It is always good to meet up with colleagues, catch up on the goss. with suppliers, conference centre providers plus a chance to do some networking at CIPD. 


The range of exhibitors this year include Publishers, Qualification based Training, Suppliers of Technology.  

The Training Suppliers seemed to have the lion's share of stand space , covering offerings on Action centred learning, Blended and e-learning, Drama based training,Experiential training, Outdoor based, Face to face m multimedia, and open and distance based learning.

 In the training support segment there were a plethora of assessment and psychometric offerings.

The free seminar zones this year are 

1. Topic Tasters
2. Learning Arena
3. Technology for learning 

The seats for the free lectures are as popular as ever
 at the Topic Tasters, Learning Arena and Technology
for learning open theatres.

The CIPD have a speed networking area facilitated by Tracey from CIPD Ripon, Yorkshire. The lunch time session was sold out. This successful exercise is in its fourth year at the show.

First morning session - early bird net workers

Lunchtime session sold out. Tracey explaining the ground rules
with her stop watch and  football whistle at the ready.
She denied she would be moonlighting as a referee this evening
 at nearby Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge Semi final for the Champions League
( Come on you Blues!)

Jonny Gifford CIPD Research Advisor

 I attended Jonny  Gifford ( CIPD Research Advisor) excellent Session on:

 The value of Social tech:

What difference does it make?

My report will be published shortly or as NCIS' Agent Dinozzo might say to Gibbs

" I'm on it boss!!!"

The show continues tomorrow . Definitely worth a visit.

Related links

 Social media in work- is it worth it ?

  Speed Networking and Standing out at #cipdLDshow

Ennobled Selling, Discover Connect and Grow through Networking

This post is a 'Tapas sized 'selling tips-to-go

at the  "The Tapas Bar". each post is less than 250 words.

Watching the splendid and historic State banquet in honour of the President of the Republic of Ireland at Windsor Castle on TV last night, gave us a view of modern day royal court behaviour.

As networking events go, both the host, our monarch and her honoured guests last night, had to practice the arts of small talk mingled with serious affairs.

In his maxim No.11 the 17th Spaniard, Baltassar Gracian gives tips for today's courtier, the Business Networker !

Networking Selfie with Mrs Business Biscotti  (Sue)  at London
 launch of Business Biscotti Gold at London SW Biscotti 9th April

His initial encouragement sets our mind to a positive frame

Listening and Conversation

"Let friendly interchange be a school of erudition, and conversation, civilised instruction"

"Make friends your teachers, joining learning's usefulness and conversation's pleasure."

Balance listening with self esteem

"The intelligent ( Gracian is talking about you and me !) combine two pleasures, enjoying the applause that greets what they say and the instruction received from what they hear."

Celebrating with Nina the 2nd Anniversary of
SW Business  at Biscotti morning
 networking meeting at Gloucester Road Casino, London

Gracian further scrutinises

"Usually we are drawn to someone through our own interest., but here, that interest is ennobled."

Theatres of Greatness or Palaces of Vanity ?

"The circumspect ( we again dear reader) frequent the company of eminent individuals whose houses are theatres of greatness rather than palaces of vanity.

"They are those renowned for their discretion whose example and behaviour are oracles in all matters of greatness and whose entourages are also academies of good and gallant discretion."

No time to place bets just now - networking at Business Biscotti

Whether you are networking today at a Casino , an International Exhibition or a State banquet - Good Selling.

Further articles on Networking

Return on Investment on Networking

15 key things to find out at networking events

Are Networking Clubs worth the bother ?

Listen First -Your Nutshell Sell at Networking

 Tapas sized selling tips-to-go

,drop into the "The Tapas Bar".

each post is less than 250 words.

5 minute Busy Busters Sales Network Building Tips

Building your network

Pick one of the following five and action it.

1. Post an article on LinkedIn
2. Stop by / phone a work colleague for quick catch up
3. Send a thank you note to someone whose work you appreciate
4. Check you calendar for any contacts you have yet to put on LinkedIn
5. Digitise / Roladex/ Index any recently collected business cards

Further articles on Networking

Return on Investment on Networking

15 key things to find out at networking events

Are Networking Clubs worth the bother ?

Listen First -Your Nutshell Sell at Networking

For further tapas sized selling tips-to-go

,drop into the "The Tapas Bar".

each post is less than 250 words.

Sales Networking charming your prospect birds out from the trees

Learning to Charm the birds out of the trees





Click here for the robin singing
robin in a holly tree in Cremorne gardens Chelsea Embankment ,London

Spring has eventually come to London this year. The trees of the streets are bursting with pretty blossom.

You can hear the birds twittering but it takes a while to spot them in among the branches of the trees.


Once spotted you need to keep still in order to capture them with the click of the camera shutter.

The zoom on my Fujifilm was just enough to capture this robin and record its song on my you tube channel.

The skill in capturing birds on film got me thinking that it is quite a similar activity to what we do at networking events. We are quasi bird catchers.

The character Papageno in Mozart’s Opera The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflote) is a bird catcher.

 He charms the birds with his pan pipes and magical bells.

As networkers it is your challenge to charm your birds from your networking branches into your cage.

Perhaps you could envision in your mind , your business card capture or sales leads  as the birds for our  networking cage.

Poster for the current production of Mozart's "Magic Flute"
 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

In your networking aviary you may encounter a number of different avian  personalities perhaps rather more exotic than robins !


This a playful set of descriptions not to be taken too seriously but then again you might encounter them...

Ostriches

Avoid the social side of networking.  Ostriches are there but don’t want to join in. They will not approach you, but can still be valuable if you can manage to get their heads out of the sand !

Hawks

Know who they want to speak to. Spot their victims from a distance and swoop fast when the opportunity arises !

Owls

Owls are wise but silent. They listen much more than they talk but they usually get the information they need.

Parrots

They provide quantity of noise rather than quality! These birds can be difficult to get away from although sometimes attractive and amusing.

Kookaburras

Kookaburras birds are also known as ‘laughing jackasses’. This is a good description of their contribution !

Seagulls

Clever, high profile and aggressive. 

In the classic film The Birds  Seagulls provide the terror for film director  Alfred Hitchcock .

 Their aggressiveness  takes over any conversation or person they feel will be useful to them and push smaller birds out of their way.

Eagles

Confident, assertive, far sighted.  Eagles prepare well and survey the scene carefully, make intelligent decisions, and with carefully executed manoeuvres catch their prey.

Introductions, referrals, recommendations and ‘word of mouth advertising’ are the most effective, and most cost-effective, methods of new business acquisition in many markets.

Although salespeople cannot directly control them, or guarantee them, you can greatly increase your chances of benefiting from all of them by successful networking.

Good Luck and Good selling my fellow P-P-Papagenos and P-P-Papagenas

Papegeno and Papagena duet You Tube clip

The maestro at work:
Aleksandr charming Nina at a Southwest
London Business Biscotii meeting

Blackbird singing in a London Street SW6