How do you use Networking?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andy Lopata on October 8, 2009 at 16:25

Hi Hannah

Networking strategy is the area I specialise in and I have spoken for and worked with organisations in the events industry such as ACE, ISES and London Launch on making networking more effective for their members. I am more than happy to help you with your research in any way I can.

The key point I'd make here is the importance of having a strategy to get effective results from any networking. It makes a huge difference when selecting which organisations to join and which events to attend if you know what success looks like. Yet many people fail to consider this.

Networking can help companies in many ways, including profile-building (Twitter and sites such as Event Crowd play a huge role here), self-development, industry knowledge and the all-important referrals and sales. Understanding where you most need help and being able to communicate that effectively can make all the difference between networking being a strategic business activity or just a social drink-up.

The other key point I'd make at this stage is that networking takes time and patience. It is about building relationships and trust. That doesn't happen overnight.

Please do let me know if there are any specific questions you'd like me to answer here or if you'd like to have a more in-depth chat.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Foulkes on February 2, 2010 at 12:22

Andy spooky we posted at the same time, yes yes yes we need to meet can you Dm your email I lost it
ta

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hannah Keates on July 27, 2010 at 13:19

Hi Andy,

Many thanks for commenting on this discussion. You make some really interesting points around knowing what networking success looks like.
I have now (successfully) completed my Masters Dissertation on this subject but as I am now working within the industry, it is still a subject of interest to me.
It would be great if we could meet up some time and chat about this, are you London based?
Thanks
Hannah

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Foulkes on February 2, 2010 at 12:21

Have you chatted with Andy Lopata - He is the Man!
Web: http://www.lopata.co.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/andylopata

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Dibden on July 29, 2010 at 9:38

Hi Hannah - as someone new to the events industry as of this January, networking has been a large part of my settling in. I've attended a few networking events organised via meetup.com which have been surprisingly good and I've met a range of interesting people many of whom are looking for the services we supply. I agree that it's a long game - you can't rush things through or else you risk damaging trust and the relationships. I think you also have to be genuinely interested in others and what they do too as if you are just in it for what you can get out of it you'll get quickly found out. At the end of the day, we also want to work with people we know and have some sort of relationship with which is why I think face-to-face networking is so important.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Abigail Saffer on September 1, 2011 at 22:01

Hi Hannah

 

I am starting to organise various informal networking events in London. Would you be interested in being part of my organising committee? I have access to some amazing venues in London through LinkedIn and want to use them as much as I can. I believe informal is the best as it lets people relax and share ideas/contacts more easily.

 

Let me know if you are interested, where are you based?

 

Abi

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page