Questions For Graham Davies
Graham please tell us a little bit about yourself. Something factual, something funny and something about your aims and ambitions.
For many years whilst working for a major American Corporation, I was responsible for sales forces across Europe. Managing performance, market coverage and developing training programmes to improve sales effectiveness. I spent my last 4 years living in Budapest being responsible for Operations from the Baltic’s round to Romania and everything in between! Exciting times and very challenging. Working in so many territories it is essential to understand the local cultures. For example if you are in Hungary and you are with a lady, the man must always enter the premises first if you offer the lady to go first it is seen as disrespectful! We all know in France when you politely kiss a lady you should do so twice one on each cheek; in Belgium it is not twice but 3 times!
Graham in a nutshell tell us about 4Networking.
4Networking was started nearly 6 years ago founded by Brad Burton and has seen incredible growth with approximately 300 groups spread across the UK including Northern Ireland. Having visited many other network groups when I went to 4Networking I found people laughing and enjoying a unique welcoming atmosphere. There are no strict rules or targets for the members. In a nutshell; enjoy it and the format is great to develop your business.
Why is it important to businesses?
All businesses are looking for growth; to achieve this you need new clients, but finding them can be a real challenge. The Format of 4Networking meetings includes 3 x 10 minute 1:1’s with people of your choice, you choose the people! they can be clients or people that know your potential clients. Its like cold calling without the pain!!
Is 4N more for new businesses starting or is it for any business regardless of size, length of business, etc?
4Networking is for businesses of all sizes. Members come from the Banks professional institutions such as Solicitors and Accountants. Business Coaches, Web site designers both large and small, decorators, plumbers, the list is endless. There are no restrictions on the numbers of members per trade or occupation, many of them work together to build their own businesses.
Can you give us an example of a business that has achieved substantial growth results because of 4N.
There are so many people who have grown their business through networking with 4N. Many have been employed and decide to go it alone. They use 4N as the hub on which to grow their business not only in identifying prospects but also meeting people who can help them as a supplier from products, special telephone deals, computer products and software, even fixing their cars!
Just to give a couple of examples. David Hill of Southern Cartridges has grown his business a 100 times in the three years he has been with 4N. Jan Jack who was a former secretary now runs the Laughter House Comedy Theatre and another company called Perfect Verse where she writes verse for people with special occasions, even ‘Best Man’ Speeches! Her business growth has been phenomenal!
You’re a business owner too is that right?
That’s right. I run a company called Sales Audit Trail. We help people grow their business through more effective sales planning and approaches. Everyone is good at their specialist businesses but they are not necessarily good at developing the sales part and the balance of time spent on their own activity and that of developing new clients. Most of my business comes through the 1:1’s with in the 4N meetings. I am very proud to be mentoring the businesses over 30 4 N members many who have seen very good growth despite these poor economic times.
If you were to give one piece of advice to business owners what would it be and why?
If you want to develop your business; find new clients, learn from other people, perfect your presentation skills then 4 Networking is a good catalyst. But my advice is you have to really have to throw your self into it! The days of sitting in the office and waiting for the phone to ring are over!
What are the costs associated with being a member and who can apply?
You can attend a 4Network meeting as Visitor and just pay for the breakfast £10.
There are special offers for first timers of 200 days for £200 + Vat plus annual membership is available.
How does 4N compare to other business networking groups?
4Networking is the only joined up network across the UK , once a member you can attend all of them; there are 300! In the South Coast Region we have over 20 group meetings normally within an hour’s drive of your base. Combined with the 3 1:1’s in every meeting make 4Networking unique and an organisation to be proud of as a member.
What will 2012 hold for 4N?
Our plan is to further develop the number of groups where there are gaps in the geography. In the last year 4N achieved over 30% growth; the plan is to continue that growth and the number of members. We will also be further developing the LEARN Sessions which is a free seminar following selected group meetings to help everyone get the best out of 4Networking and improve their business skills.
If you could have one New Year wish what would it be?
This is a difficult question as there are so many challenges in the coming year. If I had one wish: that all 4Ners achieve their business expectations. However 4N is also about friendship as well as work, 4Ners help each other often without charge, especially when things don’t go to plan – that’s what it is all about!