My Small & Medium Business

Tell us about yourself.

I am the Sydney Networking Coach, I empower people to build more long term business relationships with every hand shake.

What personal goals have you set for yourself?

I am striving to present my “Burn your Business Card to Build your Business” at over 20 events across Australia over the next 6 months.

How is your past work experience helping you in your present position?

I used to travel the word attending International Trade Shows. Attending these events was a great breeding grounding for developing successful networking skills. .

How has your business been using the internet, web, technology to increase awareness, branding and selling online?

I believe in taking advantage of cutting edge technology and social media platforms to grow your business which we run monthly workshops for in Sydney. We use twitter (@Sydneygotoman), Facebook Fan Pages (www.facebook.com/NetworkingCoach), Wordpress Blog and LinkedIn to reinforce the offline networking.

Tell us about a defining moment in your professional career and how that moment has stayed with you.

There has been now one moment, so many great opportunities and chances have come my way. I have enjoyed the journey and every experience it has brought. Many of the best experiences have been the lessons I have learned from failure.

What steps did you take to achieve the success you have attained to date?

I constantly went out to network, build relationship and empower other business and people. I then develop my 12 Steps to Effective Networking, a blue print of all the skills, tips and advice I have collected and used while networking effectively. I am now sharing this advice people who want to Network Effectively and build their word of mouth business.

How much importance have you placed on relationships in business & does having a good relationship aid in furthering the business with clients or partners?

Relationships are the key to your success. People are always going to do business with people rather than businesses. I have found every relationship I developed through networking opened doors into their world and provided new contacts, experiences and opportunities. Maximise the number of doors you open and you will be amazed at what happens in your life.

How do you start your day?

Every day I focus on referring or recommending at least one person and connecting with at least one existing contact. I start my day by replying to e-mails and sending out e-mails to contacts. I then spend about 1 hour on different social media platforms; scheduling blogs, scheduling tweets, retweeting, replying to facebook and LinkedIn posts and loading video’s onto YouTube.

What websites do you regularly visit?

Through my relationships on Twitter and Facebook, I follow several blogs and websites that provide up to date information, content and resources. Social Media platforms are an amazing source of news and information.

How is technology important to you in your personal and professional life?

Technology plays an integral part in connecting people, but it’s only one part to staying in contact with people. Technology does not replace the personal and face to face time need to build personal and professional relationships. Technology as a medium gives us more ways to connect and stay connect, but cannot replace the hand shake and personal time required.

Define Success!

Achieving your true ambitions in life.

Social media like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin are widely used for business networking online. How do they help you with yours?

While Social Media Platforms has many uses; it has three important roles for me. Firstly, it allows us to stay connected with existing contacts and clients easily and efficiently. Secondly, it allows you to connect with more people you want to meet across a wider audience. Thirdly, it gives you a platform to showcase your skills, expertise and knowledge. The value and importance of social media platforms depend on your objectives and use of the platforms.

Do you think entrepreneurs are important to the society and why?

Yes, they drive society in thought and ambition. Entrepreneurs are passionate about moving forward and creating new opportunities, which is crucial to the development of any society and GDP.

Why is networking so important for business owners?

Many highly successful business owners, sales staff and independent professionals have adopted networking as one their core marketing strategies. Smart Networking is one of the fastest, most effective, least costly ways of acquiring new knowledge, attract clients and build long term business relationships.

How should business owners get started on networking?

Networking is not a skill everyone is born with, but certainly a skill you can develop and harness. To get started; find someone that is a successful networker and attend events with them. Watch and learn how they build relationships.

Before you start networking I always encourage people to adopted the attitude of all successful networkers; “They attend events with the objective of giving, with NO expectation of getting back anything in return.”

During my 12 Steps to Effective Networking Workshop I also focus on your reason for networking, networking with your ideal client, your dress for networking and the research required before you network.

It has been said that “we should not always be networking with the people who know about our business, but that we should get out there and network with those who don’t.” What is your take on that?

People might know about your business, but do they know what you do, how you do it and how you can empower their business or their contacts business. If your contacts had a better understanding of what you did, how you did it and how you can help others, they might be more likely to refer and recommend you or become a client in the future.

How well do people you know, know about your business?

Yes, you always need to network in new circles. Networking just to network is a waste of time and money. Make sure you attend each event with a clear purpose

What keeps you awake at night about your work?

All the opportunities and possibilities in business.

Where do you find your source of inspiration and strength to uplift yourself?

I have always held the belief of doing whatever it takes to get to my goal and I am passionate about what I do and want to achieve.

What sports do you play?

I love my sport and always make the time to get out. I enjoy cricket and rugby union on the weekends.

Share with us one final positive business tip

My biggest pet hate is people who use their business card to sell themselves and their business. We have moved beyond this sell. You should only be giving your business card if you have established a reason to get in contact again. During my workshop I, I empower people to build long term business relationship so they never have to sell themselves.

People are more likely to refer you and talk about you if you do something for them first. Start by Giving.

 

Sean Grobbelaar the passionate, results oriented Networking Speaker, Trainer and Coach.
The Networking Coach empowers people and companies to network effectively to attract more long term clients from word of mouth and referral business. Are you benefiting from the 80% of new business started from word of mouth every day?

www.NetworkingCoach.com.au