networking – and so she thinks

Why I approach networking like going to the pub

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 11:53:50 +0000

I confess, I’m not the most corporate person out there. I like to smile, be chatty, and get to know people I work with. I’m good at my job, extraordinarily efficient, and get great results. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring.

I’ve always found business networking pretty painful. I’ve tried those early morning meetings, and found I couldn’t stomach the full English at 6am at a motorway hotel. I’m not comfortable recommending people who I don’t really know, just because the networking group demands a certain number of referrals. And I get really bored making small talk. I also hate it when someone is dismissive and rude, when they realise you won’t make them any money immediately. Hey, I’m still a person.

Selling doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m not against selling. It’s vital to having a successful business. But I think there’s a way of doing it. And the way that works for me when it comes to business networking is approaching it like I would the pub.

Show up

If you say you’re going to be there, be there. Don’t leave your mates waiting, and don’t commit to a networking meeting or event that you can’t really be bothered to do. Turn up on time and be present.

Ask questions

We all love to chat about ourselves. The most engaging people are those who ask questions and learn. We’ve all switched off when people drone on about themselves after a few pints. The same happens in business networking. Ask questions of people and get to know them. They’ll remember you as someone keen to build a relationship.

Be helpful

You can be helpful when it comes to business networking. That doesn’t mean you have to carry the drinks or stand a round. But be supportive and offer your advice when warranted. I get a lot of my work through Facebook groups and I think it’s because I offer advice and share my tips and learning.

Show enthusiasm

We would always rather spend a Friday night with people who smile and look like they’re having fun. Yes business is important (although not as much as some people make out), but there’s no need to be dry and boring whilst you do it. Look like you’re enjoying yourself and want to be there.

Be someone people want to hang out with again

Ultimately referrals and business relationships happen when people want to spend time with you. If you’re good at what you do, helpful whilst you do it, and personable and good to work with, people will want to hang out again – in the pub or in the meeting room.

Drink wine

Well why not?

First published on Anti-Sell.

Create Festival goes beyond just a day-long festival

admin — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 09:56:58 +0000

Create Festival goes beyond just the day-long festival. It’s about celebrating arts and creativity across the town and region, and supporting artists to have a long career in the industry. On Wednesday 19th June artists, industry professionals, and local people gathered at Lost Sheep Coffee, Ashford McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, for some music, talks, and networking aimed at showcasing the best that is coming out of Ashford, and encouraging people to continue to follow their passions and find success.

It all kicked off with Arts and Cultural Industries Manager, Chris Dixon introducing the evening and Create, saying “Create is proud to be extending further into the Ashford community, providing opportunities for local talent across the borough”.

Adrian Cooke is Music Relationship Manager for Arts Council England, based in the South East area but with a national role for Contemporary Popular Music. A champion for increased public funding for the rock & pop sector and talent development, Adrian has previous experience in promoting live music, running festivals, record label management, and rights licensing. He spoke about what it means to have a festival like Create happening on our doorstep, and how local artists can get involved.

We also heard from David Manders, an artist manager with over 20 years’ experience and a background in running clubs, tour managing and label management. David is the founder and director of Liquid Management, currently representing and guiding the careers of Ren Harvieu (Bella Union), LIFE (PIAS), Flamingods (Moshi Moshi), and Animal Noise. Liquid Management also launched the career and spent 8 years managing Public Service Broadcasting, with their past four releases selling over 300k copies worldwide. So he knows a thing or two about music and was on hand to offer advice.

But this is Create, so music took centre stage. Estelle May played a gorgeous stripped back set, enamoring everyone with her French and English singing. Lake Folks, an indie folk project that started in The Netherlands and cites influences such as Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens, serenaded the room with gorgeous sounds and gentle songs. Jaz Ellington, as well as speaking about the steps that got him to be one of the top six singers to represent England in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, and the opportunity to work with Will.I.Am on a project for NASA, enraptured the audience with an acoustic set.

It was a great evening of celebration and excitement around what is happening in Ashford’s musical scene. Create Festival are hosting another Artist Cafe event on 15th July, follow this link to find out more!

Life plans – where next?

admin — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 20:03:36 +0000

We tend to have the idea that once we reach a grand age, say around 21, and have completed university, we will have things all figured out. Often told the importance of studying a subject and getting a degree that will lead to a specific career, it’s a bit disheartening to perhaps realise that you don’t really know what you want to do with the rest of your life.

Speed Listening with The Notewell

admin — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:42:07 +0000

Music is a pretty antisocial interest in many ways. Headphones on and plugged in to a different world. A noisy gig where a raised eyebrow and tapping foot are the only possible forms of communication in a room of drowning drums. Where conversations with friends with whom you struggle to convey emotion will always be second best to interactions with lyricists whose output truly encapsulates your feelings.
And then there is the question as to whether music is truly a good indication of a likelihood to get on well. Previous experience has taught me that whilst it can be a good ice breaker and an easy way to find something to do, it can mask other facets of the personality. So would a night of Speed Listening be a perfect combination – a sociable way of discovering new music and chatting with like minded people about it?

Run by The Note Well, a group on a mission is to promote the art of good listening, both to music and to people, the set up of Speed Listening is simple. You bring your mp3, some banter, and swap tunes with someone for around ten minutes before rotating. No shuffling is allowed though – carefully selecting songs based upon their reactions and your recommendations is the aim. An eclectic mix of songs fluttered around the room – Ren Harvieu, Fluke, Stubborn Heart, Psychologist among my new discoveries. It’s not just plugged in sound though, and after the listening rounds are done, we throw shapes to a pop disco, courtesy of DJ ShyyJ (“deejay sheejay”) and his mix of oldies and 80s and indie.
A success. I can’t think of a more fun way to find new music. Clicking through The Hype Machine certainly doesn’t do it, and since The NME‘s demise there is no point looking there.
The next Speed Listening event is scheduled for 18th April, but the poor souls are currently homeless. Suggest a new spot, and The Note Well may be on their way to near you.
Note to self – charge mp3 player this time.