Moving beyond the evaluator pitch will help businesses create more value in their networks Andy Lee, Regional Enterprise Manager, Midlands & East of England, NatWest Business Banking welcomed a diverse range of businesses to EVOLVE: The Connected Woman panel discussion at RBS, St Phillips Place.

The aim of the event was to look at how important it is for women to be connected in business if they wish to accelerate their success in terms of performance and profits!

“20 per cent of businesses are owned by women and at NatWest we are committed to increasing these numbers because its not good enough” said Andy. “These events help us to provide support to those who do not engage with us normally and allows the bank to better connect

and understand the drivers that will help you scale up.”

Facilitated by Sonia Brown MBE (NBWN/Sistatalk) the panel was made up of award winning entrepreneurs who understand how gender and cultural issues can impact on business growth.

“You can have the best idea, qualifications and skills but that will not guarantee success” explained Sonia. “It’s all about understanding the value of your networks, connections and collaborations to drive results in your business.”

Andy ensures that his team of relationship managers and business enablers understand what is happening with entrepreneurial growth, women in business and start ups so they can scale up. It’s important that they understand what our customers need, the trends going on in the region and open networking to supporting greater growth in the region.

CONNECTED WOMAN NEWSLETTER

“It’s easy to keep my networks to myself, but I

would be stopping businesses from growing.

I use these networks to help with community

groups as well.”

Real results through networking

Johnny “Bob” Spencer; Sonia Brown MBE; Cleo Morris; Anisa Haghdadi; Andy Lee; Manjit Kang; Joel Blake OBE

MAY 2016

“Collaborations should be at the forefront of your business strategy”

Attendees were able to use their newly taught skills and

tools to enhance their networking and connectivity

Get ConnectedLooking for new networking ideas means learning about opportunities for engaging across a wide array of industries and sectors to maximise your connections Put yourself in a position where you are with people who can help grow the business. Don’t just think up networking upwards, think about your peers and also those rising stars and future leaders who are

coming with the innovative ideas, knowledge and tools for success.

When you focus more on the competition rather than collaborations, you become more isolated and limited in your outlook, views and ideas. This makes you less relevant to your customers because you will not understand their problems in a rapidly changing and challenging environment.

This is why networking should be seen as a strategic decision and not some fuzzy action you take now and then.

Women must learn to connect more for success but more importantly, understand the reason why.

Passion will only get you so far. Leverage your networks so you are not using random tactics to get ahead.

Use your networks to gain more exposure and promote your personal brand. People buy from people they know, like and trust so make sure you are authentic because people can spot an imposter easily.

Sonia Brown MBE

Matt Jenkins Business Enabler NatWest Business Banking

What’s on

EVOLVE: THE CONNECTED WOMAN PANEL DISCUSSION

RBS, 2 St Phillips Place, Birmingham B3 2RB

6:00pm - 8:30pm

In today’s increasingly connected world women are being left behind and still continue to lack access to the crucial resources and critical intelligence they need to scale up their businesses at the same rate as men. By coming together, this informative and thoughtful panel discussion will look at what needs to be done to enable and empower attendees with the ideas, tools and strategies to break out of their comfort zone; grow their business and develop their career.

The EVOLVE: The Connected Woman Panel Discussion will explore the following key topics, including how being connected can help business owners to:

• Learn successful methods to master your networking strategy

• Overcome the barriers that stop women using technology in their business

• Increase representation in the internet and high tech sectors

• Discover how to make better use of mobile technology to boost productivity and profits

• Unlock market opportunities in education, health, finance and wellbeing

• Share best practices in the digital economy

This is the only panel discussion of its kind, so don’t get left behind. Book your free ticket here

EXPO OPPORTUNITIES

Contact us if you are interested in becoming an exhibitor or would like to be a sponsor.

Plan for successBe weary of over networking and meeting more people that you are not concentrating on your business Don’t scatter gun your networking strategy or you will not be able to fully benefit from your networks.

Your network is your net worth so think strategically.

What you do before, during and after the event is very important.

Get yourself there early, make yourself comfortable and understand the situation.

In a room full of people trying to communicate their value, an elevator pitch does not work if numerous people are using this tool.

Listen more, talk less.

Get to the root of someone’s problem rather than promoting what you do is critical. The more you talk about you, the less they are going to connect with you. Build a relationship and rapport that will help you understand their pain.

In that short interaction, leave the person with something memorable in order to be remembered by and follow up by social media.

Don’t think of networking in the traditional model. Build relationships through social media. Spend time developing networks on line and develop it going forward. Find and use the technologies that fit your customer profile and maximise their use.

Use internal networks to utilise your business opportunities.

Build up networks within your organisation and see how you can inform your business. Everyone wants a huge customer base and want a new thing.

Utilise and maximise networks that you currently have who already, know, trust and like you.

Networking is more than just collecting business cards. Relationships evolve so make sure you have a process in place to follow up and evaluate how you can make the experience better next time.

www.nbwn.org #nbwnconnected www.natwest.com/business @nbwntalks

Let’s get started……Take your networking strategy up a notch Your business success is based largely on your mindset. It’s important for micropreneurs to understand that they are not simply replacing a job but expanding your market.

You have to understand the social capital of your business. What is the culture and ethos you are creating because this will have impact on the viability, scalability and networks you are part of.

Connections and collaborations are vital. They will help to change your mentality, culture and business in the long run.

“I met my biggest competitor at an event” said Anisa Haghdadi, Founder and CEO, Beatfreeks. “Instead of being intimidated I asked to meet up and gave a clear ask, actioned and followed up on it. Now

they are mentoring me to help grow the business.”

It’s important that business owners think carefully about what kinds of networks they need to be part of or possess.

“Its important to stand back and view your networking strategy as if it was a product rather than something that happens organically” said Johnny Spencer, ASBIRO. “Are you looking for innovators, local intelligence, centres of influence or new markets? Once you know this, you can think about the actions and tactics that support the results you want.”

Your networks are constantly evolving so you need to be able to nourish your clients. Its not just about what you can get from them but what you can give back as well.

There are three things to consider when defining your network according to Manjit Kang, Women in

Business Ambassador, NatWest Business Banking. “Performance. Do you deliver when you say you will. Image. What do people say about you and does it match your brand and finally, Networks. How do you tell others about your business?”

By better understanding your networks you will build better relationships where people will want to engage with you.

“Understanding your network work will help you to understand your net worth” says Cleo Moris, Managing Director, Marketingmaker Limited. “Put in processes that help you retain your existing customers.”

Never forget where you came from and where you are going in business” says consultant Joel Blake OBE. “People talk about you if you add value. Be the centre of your eco system. Identify you allies and create value at each touch point. But more importantly, celebrate your successes.”