The Power Of Networking?

Do you have times when you seem to do nothing but networking? I know I'm going through one of those periods at the moment. It is in fact part of my current maketing strategy to review the available networking opportunities.

Don't get me wrong, I am convinced that networking creates a power that leads to a richer, fuller personal and professional life – a power that comes from a spirit of giving and sharing. I am sure networking must be the most cost-effective marketing tool around when it is used wisely, appropriately, and professionally. I have been attending so many opportunities so that I'm in a position to make an informed choice about how I can spend my time effectively during the year.

However, networking is often misunderstood, misused, and therefore underused. Networking is an attitude, an approach to life. It is not just a “thing to do”. It should encompass the way in which you relate to people and resources around you. It is as much about giving as it is about getting business.

Over the last ten days or so, I have been to three business breakfasts, one working lunch and two evening events. I am a member of an e-group for coaches and guess what has been the topic that has dominated discussions over the last week? You've got it, networking. Or more specifically the pros and cons of a particular nationally available breakfast-time opportunity.

I don't regret the time or expense at all, I've come away from each event with a pocketful of business cards, met some interesting people, definitely a few new clients. I've found some opportunities for joint ventures and even been entertained by a couple of fellas who reminded me of the Chuckle Brothers. There have been opportunities that I would like to return to again and again and there are others I probably won't rush back to for a while.

This, I think, has been the big lesson of the last couple of weeks - you need to find the networking opportunity that is likely to work best for you and your business. You might prefer the formal, strictly timed elevator-speech opportunity. You might prefer the laid back, free for all-type events, where making contact with other people is entirely up to you. Some events offer something in-between. You might not like getting up too early in the morning, a lunch might eat into too much of your day (geddit!) or family responsibilities might prevent evening attendance?

What is really important however is to remember that most people will do business with people they know and like. That's why it is important to find the networking opportunity you like best, go along frequently, get to know people and let them get to know you. Success from networking is about building confidence and trust. I thoroughly recommend networking as a means of promoting your business and finding out about opportunities that might serve you well in return. Importantly, the knowledge you gain about other businesses can add value to what you give your own clients and customers.

As someone who has worked in voluntary organisations for most of his career and still has many clients from that sector to boot, I think that most charities are really missing a trick for identifying donors or commercial sponsors by not joining networking groups. Don't forget charities have to do business with others too, you might get some really good deals and definitely a better quality of service from people and businesses you get to know well.

Have I convinced you?

If so, why not get in touch to find out about the types of networking opportunities that exist. What's more I could coach you to make sure you maximise the value your networking opportunity.

Life-Work Balance, Allotments and today's Times

Is this serendipty or what?

I write a blog about what I call the life-work balance, spend the morning on the allotment (Bliss!), come in for a warm, sit down with a cuppa (I'm actually still waiting for the cuppa!), open The Times magazine...

...what is the first article I read? Kate Muir writing about her allotment!

We both share the passion and thoroughly recommend the joys of allotment garden, especially when you have your own shed!

Kate even recommended a great website www.readersheds.co.uk - great fun, have a look!

Thanks Lynn for the coaching to get me out on the plot!!

Work-Life Balance should be Life-Work Balance - what do you reckon?

We hear so much these days about the work-life balance, but isn't that bit of jargon putting up a barrier right from the start?

Surely life and all that it entails should be the priority, work is merely part of life. A major part of life for many people I know and I don't mean to diminish its value, by the way. Walt Disney kind of summed this up when he said:

"We don't make movies to make money. We make money to make movies."

When I am coaching people and ask what is really important in their lives, inevitably high up on their list is a desire to spend more quality time with loved ones, playing a sport, participating in a hobby, spending their hard earned money or simply chilling out.

If this rings some bells with you, why not try this short exercise...

• First of all, think about your life-work balance on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being totally out of sync and 10 being a perfect score.

• When you have done that, make a brief note of what a perfect life-work balance would mean to you. If this is difficult, try to think of an outcome you could work towards to move your life to a greater state of balance.

• You now have a goal you can be working towards. Achieving goals usually requires a series of stepping stones to negotiate. Remember, a wise sage once asked:

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time of course!"

• Think now about some actions you can take in the next few days to move you towards your goal. The things you are going to do must be realistic and achievable. Try to keep them positive and if you can, set a time for when you will do this activity.

Now what you have here is the start to a simple plan for living the kind of life you truly want and deserve. What do you think?

Imagine how you will feel when your life and work become more balanced.

Imagine what would happen if you applied coaching techniques like this simple one to other areas of your life: maybe you are not currently in your dream job? Perhaps you would like to live somewhere else? You might be stuck in a relationship that is holding you back? You might want to go dancing or sail a yacht?

We are all different and have different needs and aspirations. Sometimes we need someone else to help us find the right direction, to build up our confidences, to challenge our negative thinking, or to hold us to account.

A coach can do all of these things and lots, lots more.

Have a look at the Enfys Acumen website, I know we can help you to move from dreaming to action and live the life you deserve.

Welcome to the Enfys Blog

Those of you who know me well and are regular readers of the Enfys Acumen e-Briefs will know that I am never shy of trying out new bits of kit and experimenting with fresh ways of getting my message across.

Here is the latest - the Enfys Acumen Blog! I'd truly welcome your thoughts and encouragement (or even discouragement - positively stated of course!).

Why am I starting a blog?

There are several reasons:

1 I'm a helpful soul and want to share the all kinds of useful information I come across that aren't necessarily concerned with my core business of organisational development and coaching.


2 I want to be able to say thank you to the people who inspire me and share the experiences of good practice I come across.


3 I want to demonstrate that when you do business with the Enfys Acumen, you get what it says on the tin and lots, lots more.


4 You'll have to indulge me on this one - as one blogging expert says: "What could be more creative than placing your own thoughts, feelings, art, rants, your own... whatever, in front of a potential audience of millions?"


So let's go..."