Having been given my first camera at the age of 18, I can honestly say it has been the best present I’ve ever received and the most used and abused to say the least. My camera has been everywhere with me, from the bars and clubs of Liverpool, to the other side of the world, that is home to the popular Sydney bridge and the beautiful Blue Mountains. Everywhere I’ve been this camera has been with me!

I’ve been involved in a lot of great times all of which I’ve captured on camera, I believe enjoy the moment whilst it’s happening, but capturing the moment in a photograph will last a lifetime; giving you something to look back on and smile.

Where am I going with this...well it’s not just a picture that could last a lifetime, meeting new people can lead to long lasting relationships whether business or social. Networking is all about making that valuable contact, keeping in touch and building a valuable relationship; so many people jump from networking event to networking event with the aim to gather as many business cards as they can...the name of these individuals...‘networking gypsies’...so I’ve been told!

The only way the networking process is going to work is if both parties are going to network regularly, communicate and work together in ways that are going to benefit each other. Going back to the idea of a photograph...photos will fade and tear if not looked after properly and the same goes for business contacts and working relationships; they need attention and care!

I love to take pictures as much as I love to meet new people but sometimes a lot of people I meet on a day to day basis don’t last as long as a picture and merely become a name on a business card. Some people believe networking is unsuccessful and a waste of time and the reason for this could be because they’re not networking properly.

If someone really wants to create business from networking then the motivation has got to start at the very beginning; for example, they need to walk into a networking event feeling passionate about their company and know they are there to meet new people which they can potentially build new business associations with. Networking is not something that happens overnight, it takes time and effort to build a new connection and turn it into a blossoming and successful relationship.

So next time you take a picture of that picturesque sunset or that memorable family occasion make sure in the long run you treat it well, because once unlooked after, the picture will fade, leaving you with nothing to look back on...and smile! 

MNPA has got a new American BFF

This bank holiday weekend started with a great networking twist. Whilst having a drink (ok who am I kidding, several glasses) at one of Liverpool’s hidden gems, Studio 2, I found my new American BFF!

Now as we all know I can literally talk the leg of anybody so it should come as no surprise to any of you that after sinking a few I got chatting to two very lovely ladies from the states. They had come over here to see the Beatle mania and generally to have a jolly good nose about Liverpool.
Now if I am honest these two ladies looked very normal with just a hint of tourist about them (the fact they had an ‘I pad’ was a dead giveaway).

Maybe due to the several glasses of wine I had consumed, I simply didn’t catch on to the people they were talking about from back home and carried on suggesting  great places to eat and visit whilst here in sunny Merseyside...what can I say it is the PA in me?

Now as the evening sped on my friends ended up joining Carol and Audrey (my new American BFF’s) and we all got talking about our jobs, the joys or distains for them. Being Holly Wood I took centre stage and was going on and on about business networking (a mixer I believe it’s called in the States) and how everyone should always be on the look out to make good connections.

 Both of my new BFF’s handed me their cards which I shoved into my purse (ok, handbag am I getting too American on y’all yet?). Now after leaving these two very delightful ladies, it dawned on me that they seemed to know many famous bands on very personal terms, I delved into my purse and lo and behold, one of these two charming birds (I had been teaching them ‘scouse’ words I think ‘boss’ was their favourite) was the vice president for one of the world’s largest record labels...WOW!!

Now what a connection to make!

So networking can happen anyway, anywhere and at anytime .Connections can be made however big or small in the most usual of ways.

MNPA and my new American BFF’s are now in contact and you never know where it could lead. So folks always keep your business cards on you, and remember that one chance meeting could be the next client you’re looking for.

Networking provides many businesses with not just valuable leads and contacts, but sometimes something a little bit special can happen...magical some may say.

How? Well, for many of us business owners we spend a large proportion of our working days fire fighting and making things happen, this alone brings a catalogue of headaches, pains in the business bum and not to mention silly levels of stress.

However, once you put a business owner within a networking environment something very magical takes place .The day to day worries slip away, the financial juggling side steps and the fire fighting tasks go caput, and businesses start to talk positively about their activities, their roles and there general love of what they do.

We all know that positivity breeds positivity; recently at one of our partner’s events our ‘something very special’ theory was blatantly happening. One of our members had shared with me that they had been facing some very tough times and were unsure that they would even make it to the day payroll run; which I’m sure you can appreciate was a horrible thing to hear and face.

This said member was at her wits end, but in spite of this still undertook her networking duties and along she went. Now within around fifteen minutes this very magical thing happened; no longer was she pulling her hair out, ready to burst into tears or snap the head of the nearest person , she was smiling, very positive and gushing about her plans for the next six months.

Now bear in mind this lady was literally about to jack the whole business in only hours earlier; but wait for it, it actually gets better...

A couple of days later we received a call at MNPA HQ from our member, who explained that  a guy she’d spoken to at the event had decided to use her graphic design agency on a retainer for the next six months and work on it would start very soon.

So folk’s networking does provide valuable leads and contacts, but it also has that special something giving business owners the chance to shine and add that extra bit of sparkle to their somewhat hectic and very testing business lives. With many businesses going under these days and struggling, here at MNPA HQ we can only say that networking is indeed a little bit magical.

Want to share your success stories why not drop MNPA HQ an email on info@mynetworkingpa.com

After the struggle of the recession, everyone’s being a little more careful of what they spend their money on.  The near-collapse of the world's banking system last autumn, the dramatic swings in stock markets and the subsequent economic fallout was for much of the bewildered public, like being on an unstoppable roller coaster. The media now claims we are over the worst; however people are still being cautious of how much their spending; after the dreaded credit crunch I can’t seem to get out of the habit of ‘window shopping’. I can quite easily spend an hour browsing around a shop, trying a number of items on in the changing rooms, but then seem to leave the shop empty handed. When we all had to cut back I’d go shopping with the hope of not finding anything, why? Because I couldn’t afford the cute little black shoe boots that would set me back £150 from Topshop or the £100 dress from All Saints.     

So when a company says...for our services we want you to pay us x amount of money, our biggest question is going to be...what am I getting back? Due to losing out so much during the recession we feel we deserve to gain back again which is why a good discount is going to grab our attention. Every year people look forward to the January and other seasonal sales as it’s an opportunity to buy clothes at a reduced price and I don’t know about you, but I seem to get a greater satisfaction from purchasing a bargain, one of my favourites being a £250 pair of boots reduced to £50...sold!!    

Being a sensible saver rather than a dangerous spender, don’t get me wrong I do love a good spend but only when I can afford to, choosing to use my credit card for emergencies, sometimes with the occasional spending hiccup. Finance seems to control so many people’s lives, with some people spending money they don’t have and running into huge amounts of debt through credit cards and overdrafts; or on the other hand, there’s people who just about get by each month, having to keep a constant eye on what they spend being allowed an occasional treat every now and then.

What type of spender are you? As described above I am a good saver who loves a good bargain but likes the occasional splurge!  My Networking PA’s new exclusive membership card allows me to receive high class products and services at a discounted rate from the likes of Late Rooms.com, HSBC, Regus, The Gourmet Society and the Liverpool Dental Spa to name a few. Now I can get fabulous pearly whites at a fabulous pearly price!!  

With my exclusive membership card I can get special discounts, freebies and rates on lifestyle, corporate, media, health, travel and coaching products and services to name a few; which in turn will save me money...simple as that...what more could you want, receive benefits and save with MNPA!!  

I’m sure of lot of you avid networkers have been to your fair share of boring and lengthy networking events, that’s why I’m all for a networking event with a difference. When networking yes, I like to meet new people, build new business relationships and look for new opportunities; but not at an event that is full of serious business people and is revolved around a structured format.  

I want to attend an event that’s professional to an extent but friendly, relaxed, informal and full of atmosphere, as it’s these key elements that results in people going back to the same event on the basis that they yes, made some great contacts, but more importantly they enjoyed themselves at the same time. 

That’s why networking over a curry is a great alternative to all these structured networking events as it creates networking with a difference. Being a big fan of Indian food myself, I usually tend to stay safe and stick with a chicken Korma along with Onion bhaji’s and Naan bread however, at a networking curry club it’s fun to be able to try a variety of dishes, some of which I may not have tried before. What a great combination of being able to meet new people and build new business relationships with being able to relax, socialise and enjoy freshly prepared Indian cuisine at the same time.

Networking is a chance to work outside of work but in all honestly when I attend an event I don’t really want to feel like I’m working; I want an event that is relaxed and informal and an atmosphere that will take all my work worries away!    

From now on it’s all about creative networking. Meeting new people; building new business relationships and MAKING CONNECTIONS THAT COUNT!!

Until next time happy networking!!

Honestly let’s cut the bullshit.

Business Networking is all about people, forget the business elements for a minute, because fundamentally that’s where in my view “Business Networkers” go wrong..

People before business, get the people but right and the business follows.

Let me ask you a couple of questions.

Do you like being sold to?

Would you pass business onto someone you haven’t met, someone you don’t like, someone you don't know or someone you don't trust?

You probably answered NO to those last 2. If that is the case, ask yourself a question. In networking circles why should someone pass business to you?

I’ll tell you why, it’s not because you sold to them, it’s because they like, know and trust you and have a requirement

That’s it.

The simplicity of selling via networking. To sell more, sell less.

Product and services are secondary to people.

So remember that when you are in a networking meeting and someone is trying to  flog you stuff.

Unless the potential buyer likes the seller. Its going nowhere and remember you can't bore someone into a sale, so don't even try.

People, buy from people before they buy products and services, that is why you should network.

Brad Burton MD of 200+ group breakfast Network www.4networking.biz, author of business networking book www.getoffyourarse.biz
 
 
 

Being new to the whole networking scene I was a little apprehensive at first to what was in store; I have to admit I had an idea of what networking was, but didn’t have a full understanding of what it involved deep down. With little enthusiasm at first, I came to realise about how wrong I was and how surprised I was to find the ‘world of networking’ to be something very fun, social and full of opportunities. Turning up to a room full of strangers can be somewhat scary at first glance, immediately wanting to run to the toilets or leave altogether, but then you quickly come to realise that all the people in the room are there for exactly the same reasons as you; simply to meet new people, build new business relationships and attract new clients.

Although it’s a good way to generate business opportunities for your own company it’s also an opportunity to help other businesses out if their services are beneficial.  Networking is also a great excuse to work outside of work; everyone needs a break from the office so what a better way to do so by attending a business related, but social event.  I found it really interesting meeting new people that I wouldn’t usually meet and listening to them talk about their business experiences.

However, in all honesty not everyone you meet at a networking event has interesting stories to tell and in some cases will do anything they can to bore you. I believe the key is to talk briefly but effectively because at the end of the day if someone remembers you (for the right reasons of course) then you’ve networked successfully. I believe it’s not necessarily about what you know, but who you know, building such relationships could lead to great opportunities and furthermore business success; this is particularly beneficial for people starting their own businesses to meet new people and build up invaluable contacts.

If you’ve never attended a networking event before I believe you should give it a try, because then you can see just how fun they can be, and yes they usually provide you with some tasty food or alcoholic drink (both if you’re lucky)  but I believe you should make the most of the opportunity and meet some interesting  people. For those of you who are already sucked into the world of networking, keep on going there’s still plenty of people to meet and plenty of people waiting to meet you!!!

Happy Networking!