How to use Zoom for virtual meetings

21 Mar 2020 | Business, Networking

Lots of people have been asking me about using Zoom this week. Whether it's for virtual meetings, webinars, conference calls, or community support… with the coronavirus restrictions there are a whole host of reasons why businesses and community organisations are looking to use apps like this.

4Networking will be running 40 online networking meetings this coming week, all using Zoom. A couple of charities that we work with are looking at ways of using it to stay engaged with the families that rely on their services; and a number of small businesses we support are wanting to use it for staff and client meetings as they switch to a ‘work from home' environment.

I've been using Zoom for over five years now, running training sessions, providing 1-to-1 remote support and hosting video conference calls with people not just across the UK but across the world. They've built a solid, reliable platform that works well, and added a few little optional extras in along the way.

The video below is based on the desktop version, but there is also a mobile app available.

If you want to explore options for adjusting to the new ‘work from home' environment that we're faced with, please get in contact. We can also provide telephone conference calls, and other services if you want a simpler solution to remain in contact.

4Stalking

27 Feb 2020 | Networking, Business

I help run a couple of networking events every week, and get to see who is booked in, or who has expressed an interest on Facebook Event posts.

Obviously I want to help ensure that people get the most out of the events, and so I like to know what they do, where they are based, and whether they are looking for anything in particular. With almost 4000 LinkedIn Connections and all the members of 4Networking across the UK just a few mouse clicks away, it may well be that I can immediately introduce them to people who could benefit them.

There's a few things I look for, and I'd encourage you to make sure you're making the most of these four things in particular. In fact, I'll add a bonus one just in case you have no interest in the ‘the only joined-up business networking organisation'.

1 – 4Networking Profile

If you've been to a 4N event you'll have heard the Group Leader say “make sure you complete your pfofile: Google loves it” – and it really is true. Search for any 4N member by name, and you'll almost always find their 4N profile on the front page of Google. It's partly why we end up with so many spammy entries from people with zero interest in 4Networking, but desperate for some online attention. Ironically, getting involved in 4N properly would get a much much better result for them.

Also, if you attend a meeting there is an attendance list sent out afterwards that shows your profile picture and links to your 4N profile: why wouldn't you want to use that free opportunity?

How not to get attention!

2 – Facebook Profile

Recently we've been creating Facebook Events for some of our networking events in South Essex. I've had several people click ‘going' or ‘interested' who I don't yet know. The first thing I do is to click through to their Facebook profile, yet so many of them don't have their business shown on there.

Lots of people see Facebook as more of a personal/private network – I get it – but it suggests they lack pride in their business, and if that's the case why would I want to use them? You can have your business name shown in the About section whilst still keeping the cat memes and holiday photos private. Be proud of what you do, and let us share in that with you.

3 – Google Local

One of the most common ways that people find local businesses today is to pop a quick search query into their phone. We get calls every week from people tapping in (or saying) ‘computer repair near me' or ‘web design in Thurrock' – it works.

If someone searches for what you do locally, are you ready to get their business or are you leaving your competitors to sweep up?

Computer Repair near me

4 – Website (or Webpage)

Lastly, I'll take a quick look at their website (or webpage) which, ideally, will have been linked to from one or all of the above. Let's be honest here – I'm a nosey bugger…. but I also love to help people, and the more I know about your business, the more I can help you.

Bonus – LinkedIn

OK, so if you don't give a shit about 4N, or you want an extra opportunity, check your LinkedIn profile. Every time someone sees your name on the platform – whether it's your profile, a search query, or a comment you have left one someone else's post, they will also see your headline – that quick, snappy summary of what you do. Make it count.

Need Help?

It just so happens that I can help you make the most of all the above opportunities. Whether you want a hand updating your profile, improving your online presence, or setting up a website (or just a single page if that's all you need or can afford right now) then I'd love to chat with you.

Put it to the test if you want – just search “Steve Westrop” and get in touch, or leave a comment below if you don't want to play.

4Stalking 6

Networking Tip #1 – Be In The Room

31 Dec 2019 | Networking, Business

Be In The Room

Sounds so obvious, yet not everyone gets it!

Networking – at it's core – is about relationships. Meet, Like, Know, Trust. It's a journey, as it takes time.

It's quite unusual to walk into a networking event for the first time and walk out with new business from it. It does happen, and it's marvelous to see when it does, but more often it takes time for a trust relationship to form.

So it makes sense then, that for that relationship to form you need to actually be in the room. Consistently. Turning up once a year is unlikely to do much for you or your business. It's likely why some networking groups expect you to be there every time. I don't buy into that philosophy, but I recognise the importance of turning up consistently. Getting known, so people start to like and trust you enough to buy from you and recommend you to others. That's when the magic happens.

Be in the room, whenever you can. It's not always possible to be there every time. Shit happens, and life goes on, but make the effort to be there as much as you can. That consistency WILL pay off. Miss a string of events before that meet-like-know-trust relationship is cemented and it's like landing on a snake in Snakes and Ladders. You have to start again.

It's not just about being in the room physically though. Really be there. Leave your baggage at the door. Put you phone on silent, your laptop away, and show a real genuine interest in the others in the room.

We're curious creatures but, more importantly, we're judgmental. Deny it all you like, but let's be honest here… if someone is tapping away on their phone or laptop while you present your business, will you rush to speak with them? There may be a good reason for it, but we rarely stop to find out. We make a snap judgement and – rightly or wrongly – it sticks. What's more, some people can't help themselves and next thing you know they're telling everyone at the next event they go to how you spent all the time on your phone and didn't listen to a word they said. Don't be that person either please, but do be in the room, listening intently, building relationships so you can build bridges and business.

4N Update – August 2019

4 Aug 2019 | Networking

We send an occasional email out – at most once a month – with information about local networking events. You can view the latest one below.

If you want to be kept updated, subscribe below.

“Welcome to the future of business networking…”

that was the opening line of the first-ever 4Networking meeting on 16 February 2006. But have you ever stopped to wonder why the 4 in 4Networking? No? You're not alone… but I can tell you….

Friends
Opportunity
Unity
Results

So now you know, if it ever comes up on a pub quiz, you're sorted. Thank me later.

There was only one meeting back then – though the numbers at the first 4Networking Breakfast were on a par with the top Breakfast Group in the country today… in case you missed Richard rightly shouting about it everywhere, Witham & Maldon is #1!

Today we have the Passport and the opportunity to visit any 4Networking event anywhere in the country. So if you're off traveling in August, why not do what the most successful 4N members do and check to see if there's a networking opportunity to be grabbed whilst away. Any one of 250+.

Not so adventurous? We still have you covered, with NINE great events every fortnight just in Essex:

Two of our groups have new venues this month, so if you're planning to visit or revisit, make sure you note the new details:

Ongar Lunch has moved to Cucina Italiana in High Ongar
Braintree Breakfast moves to Cross Keys in White Notley

Friends

Someone commented at Lakeside Lunch last week (still the only 4N event on a Boat!) how mant friends they had made at 4N. Some of us consider our 4N friends as extended family. It works, and don't forget that if you invite a friend along to experience 4N, you'll earn five free membership days. Not sure how to do this? Here's a video I put together for someone recently.

Opportunity – ‘No one networks in August'?

Go on, be honest… have you heard or thought that? If that's true, then how is it we have 28 booked in for Romford Breakfast this week, including 8 visitors? Or how is Billericay Breakfast set to be awarded flagship status?

I get it – some people network less in August, but others network more. Look for opportunities rather than excuses – and the same in your business. It will serve you well!

Unity

Personally, I love the support I get from 4N. Being part of such a large and diverse group of business owners up and down the country is fantastic, as is being part of the local and regional teams. There's often more than one person from the same industry in the room, yet 90% of the time they come collaboratively rather than competitively. I've met other awesome people that provide IT services, build websites, help people acquire gold… but we never compete.

Every meeting up and down the country also follows exactly the same format, so if you do venture off with your 4N passport this summer you'll see the unity there too, whether it's a breakfast, lunch or evening meeting.

Results

Over to you. What results have you got from business networking? What results are you still working towards?

Hop over to our Facebook Group and let us know. I've just created a new thread for it. Not a member of the group yet? No problem – just ask to join and answer the three simple questions so we know who you are. It's part of the friends and unity thing, that's all.

If you're cutting down the networking over the summer, passport members can still network online in the 4N Passporters facebook group, and take advantage of the 4N Marketplace. Take a few minutes to update your 4N Profile too – I could write an entire email on how important this is….

If you need help getting the most out of 4N, or want to get along to an upcoming event, then get in touch with me or one of the other Area Leaders – Kelly Bater, Richard Thomas, Mark Sexton – or even Mr Pink if you dare…. we're here to help you make the most of what 4N has to offer, and to help ensure you find Friends, Opportunities, Unity and Results from the network.

Hopefully see you on the circuit soon,

4N Update - August 2019 7
Steve Westrop | S6 Connect
4N Area Leader, South Essex

033 3340 3380 | 07550 089918
email: steve@s6connect.com

4N Update – June 2019

4 Jun 2019 | Networking

We send an occasional email out – at most once a month – with information about local networking events. You can view the latest one below, or open it in a new window (may work better for mobile devices).

If you want to be kept updated, subscribe below.

4N Update – May 2019

6 May 2019 | Networking

We send an occasional email out – at most once a month – with information about local networking events. You can view the latest one below, or open it in a new window (may work better for mobile devices).

If you want to be kept updated, subscribe below.

How to use Zoom for virtual meetings