Networking is one of those things all of us are told to do regularly, yet most of us confess we could do better and more often. Networking Thoughtfully: The 30 Minute Read That Could Change Your Life is a speedy read that promises to help you.
Children are perfect role models in how to network, says the author Martin Wheadon. They are opinionated, talk without fear of rejection, laugh a lot and are good at both introducing people they meet to friends and at staying in touch.
Networking, he says, is not just for winning new business or making new business associates – it will also bring you up to date with events in your industry.
The book reads as a series of 30 lessons, the most memorable of which is to be “interesting” for seven seconds and “interested” the rest of the time in any conversation. This way, you are most likely to get to the nub of what the person you are chatting to is looking for – and how you can fill their gap.
“Your thinking or mindset should be: ‘What can I do for them?’ not: ‘What can this person do for me?’” he writes.
Wheadon also recommends you know your own unique selling point and can translate that into 10 reasons why someone should want to buy from you. Turn the features of your product or service into benefits by inserting the phrases “which means …” and “which will result in you having …”, he says.
Separate out the business cards you collect at events into long-term possibilities from business opportunities you can take advantage of straight away. Write the date, event and a snippet of something interesting on the back. And if you accept a card, do contact the person.
Do not ever be afraid to ask for business or to ask a person if they know someone else who could help you, says Wheadon.
This is a quick and easy read, although most of the tips are common sense. But it might provide the incentive you need to get out there networking.
After all, networking is powerful. Consider this: almost half of jobs are filled by networking, rather than recruiters or job boards, according to a 2013 study by Right Management.
The book is published by Troubadour and available to buy on Amazon.com in paperback for US$8.58 or on Kindle for $4.93.
Q&A: Suzanne Locke offers some more insights from Martin Wheadon's Networking Thoughtfully:
How did you become so good at networking?
I was working as a senior business manager for a bank in the City of London, a 30-year career. I wanted a way for my customers to meet and do business together, so I started an afternoon club called The High Tea Club, offering coffee and sandwiches. I sponsored it myself so I would have the freedom to fail without being accountable to anyone. When I went networking, I invited people along, and thus fresh blood was infused. The club was discontinued after I left the bank.
You say it’s best to stay to the very end of a networking event – why?
Because I am quite introverted in social situations where I don’t know anybody, any time I stay to the end is a triumph. People often tend to be more themselves because you are more relaxed.
How should we prioritise contacts?
Separate into three sets. Gold: you both got on well and felt you could help and it’s just a phone call away. Silver: the same situation would need time to develop, and for trust and a relationship to build. Bronze: it was nice to have the conversation, but you don’t think you can help them at the moment, nor they you – but maybe in the future.
How can you possibly describe yourself and your business in seven seconds?
By understanding the very essence of what the company is and what it stands for.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Honeymoonish
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UK-EU trade at a glance
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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
Griselda
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THE DETAILS
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Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
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The%20specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
