Learn about the great deal of networking
UK
Leading business networking strategist, author on networking and blogger for The Huffington Post
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About Andy
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Leading Business Networking Strategist
What’s Your Networking Strategy?
Whether for new individual career development, business generation or simply for getting the job done, networking is an increasingly vital tool for business. Yet very few people take a strategic approach to it.
The experience, expertise, connections and ideas that other people offer can really make all the difference to your personal or collective success. All of the resources you need are, with networking, at your disposal to achieve your best. The question is…..do you understand how?
Andy Lopata is the coauthor of two books on networking and Andy’s third book, Recommended: How to Sell Through Networking and Referrals, was published in late July, 2011 by Financial Times Prentice Hall.
Andy is a blogger for The Huffington Post and he frequently writes for a number of business magazines in the UK as well as being quoted in the media in both the UK and overseas.
Andy Lopata was the Managing Director of UK network Business Referral Exchange for eight years. Since then, Andy has spoken internationally and worked with companies from one-man bands to organisations such as Merrill Lynch, Sage and Mastercard to help them realise their full potential from networking efforts.
He is also a Fellow and the former vice-president of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA) and a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI). He is also a Member of the Institute of Sales Management (ISM) and a Member of the Global Speaker Federation (GSF).
See keynotes with Andy LopataKeynote by Speaker Andy Lopata
Participants will learn:
Keynote by Speaker Andy Lopata
Whatever you think about your abilities, and whatever you’d like other people to think, you will achieve so much more in your career , in you role and for you business if you’re open to the support of others. Yet, unfortunately, whether because of time pressure, the need to save face or sheer lack of focus, very few of us achieve anywhere near the level of success that our network could help us reach.
This session is designed to help you change that. Over the course of this presentation, we look at:
Keynote by Speaker Andy Lopata
Keynote by Speaker Andy Lopata
Why is networking relevant to top leaders? How can you make a difference by connecting with key employees, stakeholders, influencers and others?
Andy interviewed a number of top leaders on why networking is so important to them and in this presentation he shares their thoughts, combined with his experience of the power of networks.
What You Will Learn:
Keynote by Speaker Andy Lopata
Does the word ‘networking’ simply leave you cold? Do you avoid all networking opportunities if you possibly can?
When you go along to a networking event, do you find yourself standing on your own, talking to your work colleagues and watching the time wondering when you can leave?
A session that focuses on some of the key skills which make networking so much more effective… and enjoyable.
What you will learn:
Keynote by Speaker Andy Lopata
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, Instagram..
Keynote by Speaker Andy Lopata
Social media has exploded in popularity as a business tool in recent years and LinkedIn has been at the heart of that explosion. A large number of business people now have profiles on LinkedIn, but how many truly understand how to use it effectively?
What will you learn
Conferences by Speaker Andy Lopata
What is the message you hope people take away from your presentations?
First of all, I want them to see networking as a positive tool that can help them to achieve both their business and their personal career objectives. In many countries and cultures, networking has a negative image associated with self-promotion and manipulative behaviour. If I can change that perception and encourage people to embrace the support they can both give to and receive from other people then I will have made a difference.
The core message then comes down to which presentation I am delivering, whether it is a renewed confidence when attending networking events, a greater understanding of who to approach for which challenges and how or the understanding of how to generate referrals.
How do you prepare for speaking engagements?
Conversations with the client as far in advance as possible are key to understanding their objectives from booking me. I like to understand how my presentation will be considered a success – from the organiser’s perspective, from senior management’s perspective and from the delegates’ perspective.
I read through the organisation’s website and speak with the meeting planner and, if appropriate, some of the people who will be in the audience, to understand the culture of the client and the demographic of the audience.
Where I know them I will speak with speakers who have been booked by the client before to get the benefit of their experience and also look to speak to other speakers on the same programme if there is a chance our presentation topics will overlap.
Finally, if it is a full day event I will spend as much time as possible at the event so that I can understand and reference what has gone before when I speak.
What do you gain personally from being a public speaker?
I thrive on the feedback from people who have implemented the ideas I talk about and succeed as a result. The constant challenge of speaking to different audiences with different backgrounds, experiences, challenges and from different cultures also gives me a sense of achievement. I also learn a tremendous amount simply through the process of understanding my audience and their needs.
How much does humor factor into your keynotes and other speaking engagements?
I’m not a comedian so don’t try to force humour into presentations but I do like to make people laugh. My approach is to do so naturally, although over the years you do learn what works and what doesn’t.
Why is networking important in business?
Networking is a vital tool for both individuals and for businesses. Many people make the mistake of thinking of networking just as online networks like LinkedIn or events where people exchange business cards over wine and canapes. Those, however, are just tools in the networking process and a strong networking strategy is focused on the people you already know rather those you have just met.
A network of people around you, people who have ideas, experiences, expertise, contacts and a worldview that complement your own, can help you overcome challenges much more easily.
I believe that networks help us achieve three things. They help us become better known, better equipped and better connected. All three areas are vital both to business growth and career progression.
How are your keynote presentations unique?
Although I do speak about networking skills, many of my talks focus much more on the strategy behind networking, which not many speakers entertain.
In addition, where a meeting planner has the time and capacity to allow me to do so, I make my presentations interactive. This has the benefit of encouraging participative and experiential learning rather than me just sharing ideas and tips. It also means that I can bring together delegates from different parts of an organisation or audience and ease them into a strong conversation with each other, forging relationships for the rest of the event and beyond.
Do you have any unique memorable moments in your speaking career?
Many! Perhaps the biggest moment for me so far was speaking alongside former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner F W de Klerk.
Can you provide 3 tips for successful networking?
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