Read my latest column on why networking like a power player is the key to success for all business owners.
As you read this, I should have been on the back of a super yacht in Monaco for the Grand Prix weekend…
But, I decided to be a good boyfriend and stay in Dubai to support Elena with baby Nele. She has been a dream Mum for both baby and me over the past 5 weeks and as I can now see exhaustion setting in I’ve decided to keep her company and provide moral support (and earn some brownie points!).
I am not telling you this as part of my campaign for ‘best boyfriend award’, just setting a little context. Seen as though I would have been in Monaco this week, I was going to write about networking and the importance of investing in it to put yourself in environments where you can meet high calibre people who can achieve 10X your business growth. Lucky for you, even though I am not there I am going to write about it anyway!
I had paid £25k for 4 nights accommodation on a yacht and my tickets to watch the race on Sunday. But to me this was absolutely not a cost, or some jolly (I don’t even really care for the F1!), but an INVESTMENT in networking.
I can say investment because I was absolutely expecting to be getting a return of many times that amount by being in an environment surrounded by successful and wealthy people. Doing 1 deal with 1 person would repay me £25k many times over. And during Grand Prix weekend, a place like Monaco is overflowing with successful and wealthy people.
“If you really want to take your business to the next level you have to build a power network.”
Matt Haycox
And to do that takes planning, a strategy and investment. If you have followed me for any amount of time, or know me personally, you will know how seriously I take networking. I probably spend 30%, if not more, of my working week meeting new people and strengthening relationships with ones I already know. And I invest big money (multiple 6 figures a year) into it – but again notice that word INVEST, not spend.
I attend great events, I hire ski chalets and holiday villas, I host dinners on my yacht, I arrange charity galas – all that comes at great expense, but all that has the opportunity for a great payoff.
I have many videos online where you can learn in more depth how to network like I do, but my key tips you must learn and follow are:
- Networking should be planned and thought out, like any other aspect of your business. What kind of people do you want to meet? Which specific individual do you want to meet? What are you looking to achieve with them? You wouldn’t randomly try and sell your product to customers who are not qualified, don’t try and build your relationships in that way either.
- When you have your plan in place you can ensure you only put yourself in situations and opportunities that will further that plan. And that is when you will start to love doing it too! People who hate networking hate it because they are doing it wrong. If you are meeting great people, in fun settings, that can further your business and enrich your life, then what could you possibly hate about that?! If you hate it then it’s because you are aimlessly throwing out business cards at some crap business breakfast with the wrong audience that you shouldn’t be at in the first place.
- Realise that whilst some people may present immediate deal opportunities for you, others will be slow burns as you build long term relationships and wait for the right circumstances to present themselves. But don’t blow it by trying to force things and hard sell at the wrong time. Your plan should be organic relationship building, and if you have identified the right people to do it with then when the time is right, the opportunities will present themselves. And if they don’t? Well you have built a great relationship with a great person, and that is a win in itself.
- Give Give Give! If you want to build great relationships then you need to invest in them. And you do that by being a person who creates and gives value – not someone who tries to take and milk a situation. Don’t ask, offer. Again it is that word INVESTMENT. You are investing in relationships and relationship building.
I could talk day and night about examples of how I network. How I create environments. How I provide value. But if you do nothing else at all, those 4 points will transform your networking and put you on the fast track to great relationships and great success.
(Ps. top tip for providing massive value on a budget – be a great connector)
Introduce people to each other. Let them meet people to do business with, meet people to have fun with. You will be known as the connector and always remembered. But remember, don’t ask for anything in return. Don’t be trying to take a slice of a deal, just put people together and step back and leave them to it
And a quick plug…. If you want to be in an environment of wealthy and successful people that I created specifically for this purpose then get your tickets for Berry’s Tennis while you still can!
The summer is almost upon us, and that means only 1 thing. No, not more pictures of me with my shirt off on Seasquirter– it means it is time for Berry’s Tennis on the 22nd and 23rd of June!
If you are from the Yorkshire area I am sure you will have either been yourself or heard about it in the press. I created the event about 6 years ago as the perfect fusion of 2 of my favourite activities – tennis and networking! We built a marquee and created a grass tennis court in the beautiful grounds of Hazelwood Castle, and over the course of the event our sponsors and my businesses entertain around 800 guests between us.
The food and Champagne is flowing, our partners showcase their luxury items like Patek Philipe watches and Rolls Royce cars, and everyone is entertained by tennis legends such as Richard Krajicheck, Mark Philippousis and Henri Leconte.
Have a great idea but need the money to get it up and running? Want to start building your investment portfolio? Or have a great start-up but need coaching to take it to the next level? We can help – get in touch to find out more.
Hear my latest business tips, investing advice and deep dive interviews with industry leaders, celebrities and some of the world’s most inspirational individuals.
