Lesson 2: Network
Online; face-to-face; it doesn't really matter, as long as you get to know people. Business is built on relationships, and the sooner you build them, the sooner you will succeed.
The benefit from networking for us when we started wasn't in winning business (we got the odd piece of work), but in what we learned from the connections we made. Whether it was knowledge we could apply to our business, or introductions to companies with particular skills we needed (see Lesson 1), networking helped to accelerate our business.
But while it's not all about winning business, you do need a really clear understanding of why you're networking. It's very easy for it to become a bit of a social event, an opportunity to catch up with people and have a chat. And while that can be an important part of building a relationship, it's not necessarily the best use of your valuable time (but that's for another post).
So start with a clear idea of the kind of people you're looking for, maybe people with links or connections to a particular sector (or even a particular company of you want to be really specific), and remember to follow up with the people you meet. Because you never know, they might hold the key to your future success.
Showing posts with label Networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Networking. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Friday, 23 April 2010
You brought the questions...
And I had some answers, for the audience at my seminar at the Business Network lunch in April.
It was the first time I have used the format of asking the audience to put together the agenda before the event, but I think it worked really well. There was something in it for everyone. There was an interesting range of questions. Some people wanted the big picture, others had specific issues that they wanted to cover, but there are two things I wanted to share.
Why is it valuable?
I had about 15 questions on specific issues submitted, either via email, or when I called the attendees before hand for a chat. Of those, only one asked how brand can increase revenue. All the others were good questions, with good answers (that will benefit the companies concerned). But only one question was looking at what return should a company expect, from their investment in brand.
I think the reason for that (or one of them), is that businesses don't see there brand as a tool for generating revenue. They see it as a communication tool, and therefore (by default), a fundamental part of the marketing and sales process. But I think few businesses recognise just how many opportunities your brand can give you to increase revenue.
If you want to know more about how your brand can do this, take a look through some of our Brand Tips, that look at the value of brand from a number of different perspectives.
Ah, so THAT'S what you do!
The second point came out at the close of the seminar. Two people gave examples of situations where customers hadn't appreciated exactly what their company could offer. One company faced the challenge of people assuming they were too small to undertake a certain type of work. The other company had the completely opposite experience - a customer assumed their need was too small to be of interest to the company.
Positioning a business can be a tricky balancing act - trying to please everybody. But that's often the problem; a company will try and please everybody. You can't do it. The danger is you leave everybody - including yourself - confused about what you can do and what you're best at.
So the lesson there? Two things; Understand exactly who your audience is, then develop a really clear message for them.
There was a lot of really interesting debate and discussion at the seminar, so I'm going to take the best bits and use them in our Brand Tips for the next couple of months.
If you've got any questions about your brand and what it can do for your business, I'd be happy to have a chat on 01392 248107, or you can email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk. You might also be interested in our Brand to Deliver seminar series. The next free event takes place on Tuesday 25th May. More information will be available soon, right here.
It was the first time I have used the format of asking the audience to put together the agenda before the event, but I think it worked really well. There was something in it for everyone. There was an interesting range of questions. Some people wanted the big picture, others had specific issues that they wanted to cover, but there are two things I wanted to share.
Why is it valuable?
I had about 15 questions on specific issues submitted, either via email, or when I called the attendees before hand for a chat. Of those, only one asked how brand can increase revenue. All the others were good questions, with good answers (that will benefit the companies concerned). But only one question was looking at what return should a company expect, from their investment in brand.
I think the reason for that (or one of them), is that businesses don't see there brand as a tool for generating revenue. They see it as a communication tool, and therefore (by default), a fundamental part of the marketing and sales process. But I think few businesses recognise just how many opportunities your brand can give you to increase revenue.
If you want to know more about how your brand can do this, take a look through some of our Brand Tips, that look at the value of brand from a number of different perspectives.
Ah, so THAT'S what you do!
The second point came out at the close of the seminar. Two people gave examples of situations where customers hadn't appreciated exactly what their company could offer. One company faced the challenge of people assuming they were too small to undertake a certain type of work. The other company had the completely opposite experience - a customer assumed their need was too small to be of interest to the company.
Positioning a business can be a tricky balancing act - trying to please everybody. But that's often the problem; a company will try and please everybody. You can't do it. The danger is you leave everybody - including yourself - confused about what you can do and what you're best at.
So the lesson there? Two things; Understand exactly who your audience is, then develop a really clear message for them.
There was a lot of really interesting debate and discussion at the seminar, so I'm going to take the best bits and use them in our Brand Tips for the next couple of months.
If you've got any questions about your brand and what it can do for your business, I'd be happy to have a chat on 01392 248107, or you can email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk. You might also be interested in our Brand to Deliver seminar series. The next free event takes place on Tuesday 25th May. More information will be available soon, right here.
Monday, 8 March 2010
Your brand: What do you want to know?
On Wednesday 21 April I am hosting the pre-lunch seminar, at the Business Network lunch in Exeter, and I want the audience to help me plan the agenda! I want THEM to tell ME what they would like to know.
Our workshop is for any business that is experiencing, or anticipating, 'change' within their business or their sector. Through an interactive session, businesses will learn how to make the most of the opportunity that change brings, by using their brand more effectively.
Some examples of 'change' a business may be experiencing are:
• Launch of a new product or service
• Change in focus of existing service or product
• Acquisition of another business
• Change of target market
• Arrival of new competitors
• Change in customer behaviour
If you've got a question you want answered, why don't you join us? Just contact Sean Humby at the Business Network SW to book your place on the lunch and the seminar. We are really interested to know what the changes are in your business and the challenges that you're facing. What do you want your brand to do for you? Leave a comment below and ask a question. We'll bring the answer!
In the seminar we'll run a series of short, interactive exercises to help you find those answers. Well help you to understand what your brand is and what it can do for your business. You will learn how your brand can:
• Attract new customers
• Increase your market share
• Help you to retain existing customers
• Sell to your target market
Our guests will leave the seminar with a list of activities that will help them to unlock the value of their brand, and make the most of the opportunities that 2010 has to offer.
So tell us what you want to know - and we'll try to bring you the answer!
If you'd like to join us, contact Sean Humby, or for more information email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk or call us on 01392 248107.
Our workshop is for any business that is experiencing, or anticipating, 'change' within their business or their sector. Through an interactive session, businesses will learn how to make the most of the opportunity that change brings, by using their brand more effectively.
Some examples of 'change' a business may be experiencing are:
• Launch of a new product or service
• Change in focus of existing service or product
• Acquisition of another business
• Change of target market
• Arrival of new competitors
• Change in customer behaviour
If you've got a question you want answered, why don't you join us? Just contact Sean Humby at the Business Network SW to book your place on the lunch and the seminar. We are really interested to know what the changes are in your business and the challenges that you're facing. What do you want your brand to do for you? Leave a comment below and ask a question. We'll bring the answer!
In the seminar we'll run a series of short, interactive exercises to help you find those answers. Well help you to understand what your brand is and what it can do for your business. You will learn how your brand can:
• Attract new customers
• Increase your market share
• Help you to retain existing customers
• Sell to your target market
Our guests will leave the seminar with a list of activities that will help them to unlock the value of their brand, and make the most of the opportunities that 2010 has to offer.
So tell us what you want to know - and we'll try to bring you the answer!
If you'd like to join us, contact Sean Humby, or for more information email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk or call us on 01392 248107.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Free brand seminar
Do you understand what your brand is and why it is valuable? If you don't you might be interested in the free seminar we are running on 15 July, in Exeter. As part of the Business Network SW monthly networking lunch Alder and Alder are hosting the pre-lunch seminar, at the Exeter Golf & Country Club.
It will be an interactive workshop, ideal for anyone who wants to give their business a competitive advantage. We will be answering three important questions:
- What is my brand?
- Why is it valuable?
- When should I change it?
Through some simple exercises delegates will begin to explore what their brand is, how it can help to increase their turnover and when is the right time to change it. We want delegates to leave the seminar with a better understanding of what 'brand' means for their business and how it can help them to;
- Win new customers
- Reach their target market
- Clearly communicate the benefits they offer
- Stand out from their competitors.
If you would like to come along and learn more about your brand and what it can do for your business, contact Sean Humby at Business Network SW, and he can book your place. There's also the opportunity for networking at the lunch which will follow the seminar - there is a charge for the lunch, Sean can give you the details.
If you'd like to know a bit more about Alder and Alder and what we do for our clients brands, visit www.alderandalder.co.uk.
It will be an interactive workshop, ideal for anyone who wants to give their business a competitive advantage. We will be answering three important questions:
- What is my brand?
- Why is it valuable?
- When should I change it?
Through some simple exercises delegates will begin to explore what their brand is, how it can help to increase their turnover and when is the right time to change it. We want delegates to leave the seminar with a better understanding of what 'brand' means for their business and how it can help them to;
- Win new customers
- Reach their target market
- Clearly communicate the benefits they offer
- Stand out from their competitors.
If you would like to come along and learn more about your brand and what it can do for your business, contact Sean Humby at Business Network SW, and he can book your place. There's also the opportunity for networking at the lunch which will follow the seminar - there is a charge for the lunch, Sean can give you the details.
If you'd like to know a bit more about Alder and Alder and what we do for our clients brands, visit www.alderandalder.co.uk.
Monday, 4 May 2009
May Day Summit
I had a really good day at the May Day Summit in Bristol on Friday. There was lots of information to take in and some interesting opinions put forward. The Summit is part of the Prince's May Day Network, which is the UK’s largest group of businesses committed to taking action on climate change. The event in Bristol was just of a number that took place across the country. The main event was in London with the Prince of Wales and Ed Miliband , amongst others. In Bristol we had Jonathon Porritt, who was founder of Friends of the Earth and Forum for the Future, and is currently Chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission - so he knows what he's talking about! You can find out more about other May Day Summit events here.
The event in Bristol was down on the quay, a very nice spot on a sunny day. The day consisted of a number of presentations and discussion groups. There was a lot of interesting stuff, but the things that stood out for me came from Jonathon Porritt: We need to act now - the expression he used was 'Radical decarbonisation' - if we want to avoid the worst impact of climate change. And to put that into context he quoted Mark Twain:
'Twenty years from now will you be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the things you did?'
Some people I've spoken to recently have talked about the economy needing to be the priority during this recession, and environmental issues being less significant. With the UK economy predicted to contract by up to 4% this year you can understand why. But looking further into the future, the Stern Review estimates that with a temperature rise of 2ºC the global economy could suffer a 20% contraction of growth. It's like avoiding stepping in a puddle, but falling into a lake as a result - a short-term solution failing to prevent a long-term impact. And we should remember that it is now accepted that the Stern Review under-estimated the severity of the situation, and the temperature rise is more likely to be 3ºC-4ºC. So with that in mind Jonathon Porritt's call to action is all the more relevant... but is anyone listening?
I hope so. I really do. And to offer advice and guidance to businesses who do want to do something we launched www.todayandtomorrowonline.co.uk. If you want to take some action why not sign up to the Prince's May Day Network?
The event in Bristol was down on the quay, a very nice spot on a sunny day. The day consisted of a number of presentations and discussion groups. There was a lot of interesting stuff, but the things that stood out for me came from Jonathon Porritt: We need to act now - the expression he used was 'Radical decarbonisation' - if we want to avoid the worst impact of climate change. And to put that into context he quoted Mark Twain:
'Twenty years from now will you be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the things you did?'
Some people I've spoken to recently have talked about the economy needing to be the priority during this recession, and environmental issues being less significant. With the UK economy predicted to contract by up to 4% this year you can understand why. But looking further into the future, the Stern Review estimates that with a temperature rise of 2ºC the global economy could suffer a 20% contraction of growth. It's like avoiding stepping in a puddle, but falling into a lake as a result - a short-term solution failing to prevent a long-term impact. And we should remember that it is now accepted that the Stern Review under-estimated the severity of the situation, and the temperature rise is more likely to be 3ºC-4ºC. So with that in mind Jonathon Porritt's call to action is all the more relevant... but is anyone listening?
I hope so. I really do. And to offer advice and guidance to businesses who do want to do something we launched www.todayandtomorrowonline.co.uk. If you want to take some action why not sign up to the Prince's May Day Network?
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
As part of our marketing strategy we've started to use Twitter. If you don't know what Twitter is, it's a social networking service that allows people to stay in touch in realtime - you make a post (a tweet) and it's updated immediately. The challenge is that you only have 140 characters to compose your message. For us Twitter's another way to raise our profile online, so we're being quite focused with our activity. That means trying to 'tweet' once a day (at least). Which is hard work. Is our business, really that interesting?
Well, it turns out that actually it is. When you have to find something interesting to talk about - EVERY day - you realise how important some of the things you're doing are: to our clients and to our own business. For example, designing a new logo is a really exciting stage of a project, but checking the proof before the document is printed is just as important to the client. And a monthly networking lunch can seem mundane, but alot of the relationships that spawned the interesting logo projects have started there.
So if you're interested to see what we've been doing today, follow us on Twitter!
Well, it turns out that actually it is. When you have to find something interesting to talk about - EVERY day - you realise how important some of the things you're doing are: to our clients and to our own business. For example, designing a new logo is a really exciting stage of a project, but checking the proof before the document is printed is just as important to the client. And a monthly networking lunch can seem mundane, but alot of the relationships that spawned the interesting logo projects have started there.
So if you're interested to see what we've been doing today, follow us on Twitter!
Monday, 23 March 2009
Dinner at Dartington
I had the opportunity to listen to some really inspirational presentations recently. I was at a Sustainability Networking Dinner at Dartington Hall and there was a very impressive list of speakers. There was a lot of thought provoking stuff about the challenges we face - from people who understand them; Charlie McConnell, Director of Sustainability at Dartington; Simon Hooton, Director of Strategy at South West Regional Development Agency; Guy Watson, founder of Riverford Organic Vegetables. But the one that stuck out for me was Gunter Pauli.
Gunter was at Dartington for the week, leading a course at Schumacher College. He's head of the Zeri Foundation, which is a collection of great minds looking for solutions to the challenges we face. But he's been involved in a lot of other things too throughout his career, including launching Ecover, the pioneer of environmentally friendly cleaning products. I wish I could remember more of what he said because it was really interesting stuff, but the one thing that has stayed with me was this: Change always happens on the periphery, not at the centre.
So for anyone who feels isolated or separated from what's going on - it doesn't matter. Whether you feel you're on the edge of things because of size or geographical location - it doesn't matter. That's where things will happen. And who knows, it could be you that makes them happen.
Gunter was at Dartington for the week, leading a course at Schumacher College. He's head of the Zeri Foundation, which is a collection of great minds looking for solutions to the challenges we face. But he's been involved in a lot of other things too throughout his career, including launching Ecover, the pioneer of environmentally friendly cleaning products. I wish I could remember more of what he said because it was really interesting stuff, but the one thing that has stayed with me was this: Change always happens on the periphery, not at the centre.
So for anyone who feels isolated or separated from what's going on - it doesn't matter. Whether you feel you're on the edge of things because of size or geographical location - it doesn't matter. That's where things will happen. And who knows, it could be you that makes them happen.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
What is your brand and why is it valuable?
I tried to answer this question in a short presentation to the East Devon Business Club yesterday lunchtime. What did I say? Read on...
What is your brand? Well, it's a collection of views and opinions about your business. I heard a great description recently: Your brand is what people say about you when you leave the room. I describe it to clients as the personality of their business; the thing that makes them different from their competitors.
Why is it valuable? Two reasons. Firstly, it will help you to win new business. Secondly, it will help you to keep your existing customers. There are a number of challenges that businesses may face when they're trying to find more customers. For some it's a case of trying to raise their profile and get noticed. For others it's a need to look different from their competitors, so that potential clients look at them first. Many companies struggle to position themselves so that they can reach their target market.
For businesses who want to hang on to their existing customers it's all about loyalty. Your brand is the key tool in creating loyalty in your customers. But the first step to loyalty is consistency - and that's consistency in every area of your business.
There's a lot more to say, so if you'd like to know more about your brand and what it can do for your business, email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk. To see some examples of what we've done for our clients visit www.alderandalder.co.uk.
What is your brand? Well, it's a collection of views and opinions about your business. I heard a great description recently: Your brand is what people say about you when you leave the room. I describe it to clients as the personality of their business; the thing that makes them different from their competitors.
Why is it valuable? Two reasons. Firstly, it will help you to win new business. Secondly, it will help you to keep your existing customers. There are a number of challenges that businesses may face when they're trying to find more customers. For some it's a case of trying to raise their profile and get noticed. For others it's a need to look different from their competitors, so that potential clients look at them first. Many companies struggle to position themselves so that they can reach their target market.
For businesses who want to hang on to their existing customers it's all about loyalty. Your brand is the key tool in creating loyalty in your customers. But the first step to loyalty is consistency - and that's consistency in every area of your business.
There's a lot more to say, so if you'd like to know more about your brand and what it can do for your business, email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk. To see some examples of what we've done for our clients visit www.alderandalder.co.uk.
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