I still hover over the send button
I still hover over the send button If we want to grow a business, we have to be able to promote ourselves. Simple in theory. Considerably less simple in practice. The word ‘promote’ comes from the Latin promovere — to move forward. Which sounds positive and purposeful. But do a quick Google search for ‘self-promotion’ […]
Is AI Killing the Human Connection? Why It’s Time to Go Back to Basics
I found myself in a slightly drafty cafe near the station last Tuesday morning. You know the type: the ones that are always about five degrees colder than they should be, where you keep your coat draped over your shoulders like a cape, but they make a decent enough brew to keep you coming back. […]
Where are the referrals
Where are the Referrals? I was stood by a lukewarm coffee urn at an accountancy conference recently, listening to a manager describe their “networking plan”. They were doing everything you’d expect from a busy professional team. Posting on LinkedIn. Turning up to breakfasts. Smiling for the group photos. Dropping comments on other people’s posts so […]
How long does it take to make friends?
How long does it take to make friends? Relaxing on the beach A 2018 study by Jeffrey A. Hall, a University of Kansas professor, looked at the amount of time it takes to become friends with someone. Given the need to build great relationships to become friends, and the need to build great relationships to […]
Why some professional relationships fade (and why that’s OK)
Why some professional relationships fade (and why that’s OK) I sometimes think about how many people I was once incredibly close to, and now barely speak to at all. There’s a mate from university who was, at one point, one of my best friends. We lived together, did everything together, and then, slowly and without […]
Coat Rack Networking
Coat Rack Networking Relaxing on the beach What I Learned Standing by the Coat Rack I once spent almost an entire Christmas networking event standing by the coat rack. Not on purpose. I’d arrived a bit too early (not a fan of that as an unnatural networker), hadn’t spotted anyone I knew, and couldn’t quite […]
Give First, Connect Faster
Give First, Connect Faster The first time I went to the Professional Speaking Association conference, I was nervous as anything. I was new to the world of speaking and doing that classic thing of pretending to check my emails on my phone so it wouldn’t look too much like I didn’t know anyone. That’s when […]
How to show you’re ready for a new role
How to Show You’re Ready for a New Role: Unnatural Promoter Edition Relaxing on the beach If you’re the kind of person who cringes at the idea of “selling yourself”, you’re not alone. Many of the best candidates quietly get on with doing a brilliant job… and then wonder why no one’s offering them the […]
Networking without even thinking
Networking without even thinking A few years ago, I got an email from my friend Adam. It was nothing to do with work, just the usual post-dinner admin: “Here are my bank details so you can transfer your share.” (a big group of us had been out for a curry, and it really didn’t seem […]
Out of Office, Still in Touch: Rethinking Networking in August
Out of Office, Still in Touch: Rethinking Networking in August Relaxing on the beach I used to treat August like a networking write-off. Everyone’s away, I’d tell myself. May as well focus on admin, batch some content, maybe finally alphabetise my Google Drive. But a couple of years ago, I got an unexpected reply to […]