Having just spoken for Yell.com at their Edinburgh event I have to make some noise about how simply pathetic the British SME audience would appear to be in their energy to engage, grow and scale up from the most basic networking level. An audience of hundreds – 30% only had networked in the coffee start / morning session, (I bet none had self styled targets to ensure they worked the room.) I know some people were standing alone and not speaking to anyone – using the farce of an embarrassed excuse to play on their phones …what could be more important that the opportunity to meet a new leader / make a new influencer for your business face to face and in your locality??? Madness
Get off your backsides and inject your own business fun into the monotony of meeting people, making new contacts and milking the market to squeeze every valuable ounce out of each opportunity to engage and grow. Your biggest new target client might be in the room.
One wonderful woman had turned up simply to target Michelle Mone and she wanted a tip on how to nail Michelle to just get thought he barriers. I suggested plain-faced open charity request, I’d be surprised if Michelle turned the challenge down but will update in due course. My suggestion, wait for Michelle, stalk her if you have to into the event, and simply ask her for 10 minutes of her valuable time in exchange for a donation by the lady to any charity of Michelle’s choice. Now, if that £ 100 quid’s investment finally gets that company a break in chance meeting and they convert the business scale possibilities that Ultimo offers into a new and significant client that might be the best money a company can spend, highly targets and clear on the objective I feel confident that lady will succeed.
You have to be creative at networking, targets in your approach to core contacts and as persistent and determined and persuasive as possible Is your business pitch world –leading a, engaging and memorable. If it is not, sort it and fast. I fell short by waffling mine out and felt a right Muppet – we all need to practice this piece to perfection.