Small Business, Big Network

Trevor Wood has been working in IT for over 40 years. He's been a web developer for 25 years and in the last few years he's been working in cybersecurity as a white hat hacker and cybersecurity researcher

He ran his own networking events and exhibitions for around 10 years, and he has written several blog articles that include hints and tips on successful networking.

In this episode we chat about the differences between networking and selling, and the reasons why some businesses fail to make networking work for them.

You can find Trevor's blog posts on his website www.network-midlands.co.uk

Drew Ellis is a serial entrepreneur and experienced business development executive.

He's been invited to Buckingham Palace and Parliament in the UK to advise on matters of business and enterprise, and has been written about in the Sunday Times, Financial Times, and numerous other publications.

In 1982 he designed the world-famous “Choose Life" range of slogan T-Shirts for Katharine Hamnett.

He founded Eyetoeye in 1994 as one of the world's first new media agencies, advising a broad range of business on digital strategy, content creation, website development, branding, and design.

In late 2009 he co-founded the Like Minds Ideas Festival, a global thought leadership platform, holding events in London, Exeter, Helsinki, and New York.

Business Breakfast TV, a weekly online show for entrepreneurs and SME business owners launched in 2020 and Drew also co-founded the Great British Business Festival in the same year.

Book your place at the 2021 Great British Expo here: https://wearelikeminds.com/march-31st-the-great-british-business-expo/

Cristina is the owner of CVG Solutions,  which is a growing GDPR consulting business that offers GDPR advice, guidance and training.  She helps up-skill business owners in Data Protection to strengthen their reputation and win new customers.  

Having started her business in late 2019, the pandemic could have wiped Cristina's business out, but by making use of online networking, CVG solutions has gone from strength to strength.

In fact networking has not only grown her customer base, it has led to strategic alliances and even an appearance on regional TV.

Visit Cristina's website to find out more www.cvgsolutions.co.uk

Creative freelancers (photographers, designers, actors, singers, voice over artists) often have a fear of networking, and feel that they don't belong in a business networking meeting.

I'm holding a free webinar to dispel that myth, and to explore why creative people should be networking.

Tues 16th March 2021, 7pm (UK). If you can't make it live a replay will be sent to everyone who signed up.

Sign up at www.businessnetworkingknowhow.com/free-webinar

And if you are interested in the networking course that I mention please check out www.businessnetworkingknowhow.com

Thanks!

Anton Oliver is a business coach and founder of the Marketing Mastery programme, which teaches small business owners the marketing strategies that are used by multinational companies.

He talks about why you should visit lots of different networking meetings, and why you need to be consistent with your networking if you want results. Referrals will come if you first help others.

Anton also talks about why it's important to know your niche, and how this will help you collaborate with others in your industry.

Find out more about Marketing Mastery here:

www.businessexitaccelerator.com/program?affiliate_id=2946741

Nicky Thomas is a business connector, referral marketing expert and founder of The Growth Community. She loves nothing more than to see people connect and build a new relationships and/or open up new opportunities for each other. By March 2021 the community will have over 100 members with big UK expansion plans in the pipeline.

In this interview Nicky admits that she had low expectations of networking online, but in actual fact the pandemic has led to her creating a completely new networking platform where she has taken all the best bits from previous networks she has been a part of, and made something she's proud of.

As well as running a successful telemarking company, Felicity Francis is also the founder of Talk Networking.

Talk Networking started in the real world and has now moved into the virtual space, with four different styles of networking event offered.

In this episode Felicity talks about how different styles of business networking suit different people, why you should take the initiative and follow up with people after meetings, and how it's important not to get sucked into so many meetings and 121's that you don't leave time to work!

Paul is a voice over artist, radio presenter and massive lover of business networking. In fact, it was within a networking group that his business model radically changed. People had recognised that his 60 second presentations were always well received and started seeking his advice on how they could improve their own presentations, and he was happy to help. Then, in a one-to-one meeting with a business coach, he received a piece of advice which changed his life - “If you charged people for the advice that you’re giving, I believe they would pay you,” and it turns out, he was right.

Paul now splits his time between voicing and presentation coaching. He offers group workshops and private coaching, and has adapted his business model to work well within the virtual space. Details of his coaching can be found at www.my8seconds.com and for all things voice over, check out www.pauljrose.co.uk

In this episode I chat to author, publisher and founder of International Online Networking Day, Ladey Adey

Ladey has always loved meeting people and learning more about their businesses – and as her networking prowess has grown she has learnt how to benefit both their businesses and her own.  She says, “My life wouldn’t be so rich without business networking.  I use business networking offline and online as an integral strategy to helping more people publish the book inside them.  Within networking I’ve given as many talks as I’ve had hot dinners!”

To buy Ladey's book 'Successful Business Networking Online' visit https://t4s.site/networking-book/buy-your-book/

Ladey also co-hosts a LinkedIn Group for networkers who want to be successful. The group meets up via Zoom on a monthly basis – only group members though! The link is https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8985122/

Find Ladey online through one of the links below - or invite her to your next networking meeting!

Website:  https://www.ladeyadey.com

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladey  

Podcast on Books:  https://shows.acast.com/ladeyadeyshow/

World Online Networking Day – 29th Oct https://t4s.site/worldonlinenetworkingday/home/

 You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/LadeyAdey/videos

Networking takes place in two main ways - online and offline (or in-person), but within those categories are lots of sub-genres of networking meetings.

Some meetings are very formal with a set format, others are a complete free for all, and most are somewhere in between.

Different styles of networking suit different people. Have a listen and see what most appeals to you.