“Andy is an energetic presenter who quickly captured our audience's attention. The content of his presentation was excellent and fostered lively commentary and questions. We will definitely have Andy back for another session and are looking for other ways to partner with him. ”
Jennifer Rademaker, Head of Strategy Development Europe, MasterCard
“There are many motivational speakers on the circuit who leave behind them just a short lived glow and then there are the subject matter pragmatic, passionate presenters who can potentially change the long term way their audience thinks or operates. I’d put Andy Lopata in the latter category. ”
Trevor Salomon – Director, Corporate Marketing, IFS
“Of all the events I've organised, I have never received so much unsolicited thanks and positive feedback as I did following this. ”
Emma Mortimore Membership Secretary, One Alfred Place
“The striking thing about Andy is that he writes a book on networking that demystifies the process and shows you all the things you know you should be doing - but never really get round to. Then he surprises you by practising what he preaches! ”
Russ King, Product Manager, Monster.com
“Andy Lopata’s insights into referrals and networking should be taught in all induction programmes. Networking and referrals should not be thought of as another sales skill or tactic, but as part of the company’s values and culture. ”
Ignacio Hernandez Managing Director, EMEA, Currencies Direct Limited
“Andy has successfully elevated networking into more of a strategic arena ...................rather than it just being a "skills" thing. ”
Phil Jesson, Director of Speaker Development Academy for Chief Executives
“"In the three months since Andy delivered his sessions, I've noticed a clear change in the approach taken by everyone who participated. We have already received a number of referrals as a result." ”
Andy O'Sullivan, Head of Sales - Hospitality, Wembley Stadium
“Andy has worked with my business partner and me for a number of months as a referral and networking coach. Our business has demonstrably grown due to the new techniques and skills learned through working with Andy. ”
Dan Hall, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
“I've had the benefit of being mentored by Andy and he has provided enormous value. His style is both supportive and challenging whilst being very engaging, and the techniques he teaches are extremely practical and valuable. ”
Derek Bishop, Culture Consultancy ltd
“Andy certainly made a difference on how I normally approach / perceive events such as this. ”
Ann Azzopardi, Category Buying Manager, Pret a Manger
“It was the best talk I’ve ever been to. Loved the content, pacing, delivery, structure. Your message was very memorable (imparting that much information can leave listeners forgetting what was said) and you managed the balance between substance, detail and memorability well. ”
Rebecca Aguilar, BBC Worldwide
“Andy was a guest speaker at one of European Young Professionals networking events in London in 2007. The 400 people who showed up were blown away by Andy's presentation and it was in fact one of the key reasons behind EYP London's early success. ”
Nick Jonsson, Founder, European Young Professionals
“Andy has a can do and flexible attitude and is happy to develop and shape the content in line with the clients changing needs. Feedback from participants on Andy's workshops has been consistently very positive. ”
Una Murphy, Manager BBC Careerlink
“ ”
Tracy Johnson, Marketing Services Director, Eventia

Multi Channel Networking

5th August 10 — andylopata

What do you want people to say about you?

What is your core message?

With all of the opportunities to network, both online and at events, and with an ever-more blurry line between what is 'professional' and what is 'social', keeping a clear vision in your mind of how you want to be perceived has become increasingly important.

Online networks, bundled under the tag 'social networking' have taken this to extremes. I get frequent Facebook friend requests from people I've never met, and I know a lot more about my business contacts than I could ever have expected in the past.

That's fine. I have the power to choose with whom to connect and where, which I exercise. I also have the ability to decide what to post onto which network, which I do. I exercise restraint where appropriate and I let people find out more about me as a person where I feel comfortable doing so.

That's because I understand what I want people to say about me, and my personality forms as much a part of that as my expertise. I work very hard to ensure that the personality represented online and at events is a fair reflection of 'me'. I say I work hard at it, but it's really not that difficult, because I believe I act naturally wherever I am.

It would be much harder work if I tried to present completely different personas in different settings. Trying to be all things to all men becomes much harder when your networks merge in the way social networks allow them to do today.

In our Mastermind group meeting this week, Andrew Rayner of internet marketers e-mphasis, who work widely with retailers, compared networking to multi-channel retailing. Andrew said that as retailers have moved to online shopping sites, "they have had to ensure that the retail experience and the brand should be the same online as that experienced in the stores.

"It's the same for networking", he continued. "Perhaps it's 'multi-channel networking', the experience people have of you should be the same whereever you meet, online or off."

Andrew is absolutely right. We network across a wide array of channels today and we have to maintain a consistency across them all. If you know what your core message is and how you want to be perceived, that should help guide your personal brand.

You then need to ensure that you live up to that personal brand wherever you are.

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Comments

7th October 10 — Jason Armishaw (not verified)

It's funny how many people

It's funny how many people try to connect with you without even knowing you or even really wanting to have anything to do with you. Maybe it's a numbers game? Your ability to choose who you connect with if powerful. Sometimes we forget that we are in control.

Thanks for sharing.
Jason

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