Who Says Networking is Useless!

Yesterday I had an excellent time at Mark Greenwood’s “Simply Networking” in Manchester.  As ever a wonderful host Simply Networking Site

And the venue was really different Chill Factor, Manchester Thank you Mark

As I had not been to the Manchester event before I was not expecting to meet people I know so my strategy was to speak to 10 new people.  That is an average of 12 minutes per meeting – 4min for them to make an introduction, 4 mins for me to do the same and 4mins for us to see how we can help each other. I say an average as some may be faster and, after all, we must allow time for a few cuppas!  I have come home with 9 new cards plus I actually found one person I know. 

And today is “follow up” day.   What is the point of making my way to Manchester, spending 2 hrs of my very valuable time there and trotting off home again if I do not follow up!!!  Yet, it is amazing how many behave in exactly this way.  They rush about to events, do not know how to work the room professionally and so annoy the professionals, waste lots of their precious time and do absolutely no follow up.   Then they moan that the event was no good!!!  So far ONE person has the initiative to contact me before I did him.   I’m impressed Gary...... you know who you are.  And of the remaining 8 no one has responded. So what responsibility and action are people taking for their own success?

Who says Networking is useless?  Those who do where did you learn the skills? How long were the training courses? What follow up did you learn?

Wondering what the hell I’m rambling on about?  Most people do when I first ask this and they are surprised to learn that the power of Professional Networking is very powerful indeed.

One experience yesterday was when I was in a “closed two” and interrupted by a lady.  She started her sales speal... Being a bit naffed off as we were talking some serious stuff; I said this is a “closed two”.  The poor lady is stiff looking at me as if I had horns on!   But she continued.  Only out of courtesy did I stop and listen to this lady.  As it happened she had some useful info to share but I now have a very bad opinion of her.  Remember business is all about other people’s opinions...

Why are people surprised to learn that networking is a real skill, a profession and like any profession, it must be learned?  If you walked into a bar for the first time would you expect to be able to pull a great pint of Guinness?  I doubt it.   So why are people thrown in at the deep end with networking?

Everyone serious about networking for new clients will want to know and DO more about this:-
Networking Skills Workshop

Here’s to a profitable week.

Agnes G. Fitzgerald
Linkage Point

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+44 (0)8456 448 039 | +44 (0)7944 785 409 | linkagepoint.co.uk | agfitzgerald

Hong Kong Student Exchange

What changeable weather.....

Recently we talked about the annual Wirral Costa Walk.  Remember Harry’s “departure” picture.  Sadly, due to Data Protection, I am not allowed to upload pictures of the actual walk as I was not there to take them myself. Harry raised £114 from the walk. As yet I do not have the total of the other 9 walkers.

Prior to that there was the Bag Packing at Morrison’s, West Kirby.  That raised over £1,000... Apparently the gang worked very hard. Amazing for a day’s work though!   HUGE THANK YOU to all the shoppers who contributed and to Morrison’s for allowing the Team to be there.

Moving forward... this week there was Face Painting at Tom O’Shanter Farm in Bidston, Wirral. Will have to wait for next meeting to know how much that raised.  Then we had the 10K Memorials run on Sunday.  That started in Pall Mall in Liverpool, came through the Wallasey Tunnel and on to New Brighton. Weather was fantastic – at least for the helpers.  Harry & some of the Team were around the tunnel handing out water to the participants.  Today it's back to school so that’s enough about Harry & Team for now....

Before going to Hong Kong we have the Hong Kong students coming to Liverpool & Wirral.  To K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Students – accommodation for the visitors is arranged for all to stay under one roof.  The University in Liverpool has kindly obliged and are providing the beds complete with self catering.  All our Team has to do now is to show the students the wonders of Liverpool and Wirral and generally make sure our visitors have a wonderful stay.  We need them to return to Hong Kong “over the moon” with their experience. 

Part of the above task is FEEDING our visitors.  Here’s where I'm hoping you will help. 

Who do you know in Typhoo Tea in Moreton, Cadbury’s Chocolate in Moreton, Nestlé Breakfast Cereal in Bromborough, John West in Liverpool, Princes Ltd in Liverpool, United Biscuits (UK) Ltd in Liverpool to name just a few?  If you have contacts within other food outlets then we would love to have a chat.
 

Our task is to feed 24 healthy teens for 2 weeks.  As yet there are no menus set.  Beggars cannot be choosers I say!   Basically we will need cereal & milk, bread, butter and marmalade and ideally general contents of the “English Breakfast”.  Lunch will probably be pre packed in the form of sandwiches etc. Some fresh fruit would be great.  I expect we will need lots of beverages too.

Then for evenings I am hoping a few cafes and restaurants will come to our rescue.   For a little PR on the Internet (various outlets) they may supply an evening meal.  Personally I can see a lot of potential here.  If properly used, this is a super occasion for great publicity these days.

So, if you know someone with a bit of imagination then I’d love to have a cuppa with them. You can email, text or ring me.  And please share my info where relevant.  For your initial contact text is the safest bet. 
My mobile is +44 (0)7944 785 409 or agnes@linkagepoint.co.uk  

All donations gratefully accpted thank you. 

Till the next stage, here’s to a profitable week.

Agnes G. Fitzgerald