Charlie Lawson - The Unnatural Networker: How Anyone Can Succeed at Networking

The Unnatural Networker

First published in 2014 by

Panoma Press
48 St Vincent Drive, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5SJ, UK
www.panomapress.com

Book layout by Neil Coe

Printed on acid-free paper from managed forests.

ISBN 978-1-909623-69-9

The right of Charlie Lawson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright holder except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988. Applications for the Copyright holders written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publishers.

This book is available online and in bookstores.

Copyright 2014 Charlie Lawson

DEDICATION

To Hannah, Alfie and MM

Without you, it just wouldnt be worth it

ID ALSO LIKE TO THANK:

Robin Schuckmann

Theres no way this book would have been

written were it not for you

Anthea Lawson

You see, I can bang on too

Duncan Richardson

Brilliant idea

Helena Clyne

Youre a star

Andy Bounds

Just the best feedback and advice ever

The fantastic team at the BNI National Office

You all put up with me blocking out my diary to get this book written, and being a bit stressed as deadlines approached

TESTIMONIALS

I used to have an untidy desk.

So I asked tidy people what they did to keep things in order. But their advice didnt help. You see, tidying was so natural to them, they couldnt explain the steps an untidy person had to go through.

So I asked someone who used to be untidy what hed done to become tidier. And he taught me the steps to take to change my habits. I havent had an untidy desk since that day.

In the same way, most people who want to be better networkers ask natural networkers how to do it. But their advice doesnt always work. Because deep-down, natural networkers dont know the steps unnatural people need to take to change. Because theyve never had to.

And thats why I love this book. Charlie Lawson clearly isnt a natural networker. He doesnt even like it much sometimes. But hes taught himself and others how to transform how they do it. Youll see the steps to take many of which are annoyingly simple to do so.

Best of all? It will change how you do things permanently.
Now that is worth looking at!

Andy Bounds,
winner of Britains Sales Trainer of the Year

TESTIMONIALS

With frank honesty, Charlie Lawson articulates what it means to face and conquer the innate reluctance and discomfort we all seem to encounter when it comes to putting ourselves out there and mingling with strangers in order to reap the full rewards of networking for business or social advantage.

His sound, practical advice, highly effective yet simple strategies, and relaxed style will guide you step-by-step toward mastering the art of networking to achieve your greatest goalsan essential read for novice and seasoned business owners alike!

Ivan Misner, Ph.D.,
NY Times Bestselling Author and Founder of BNI

The most critical asset I have in my business is to be able to network. Online, Offline, no business can ignore it. Investing in these skills in large and small businesses is not an option. I strongly believe this should also be taught in schools. Charlies book should be shared widely to ensure we create a global movement of networkers.

Penny Power OBE, Director & Founder
Digital Youth Academy and Scredible

TESTIMONIALS

As an Unnatural Networker, Charlie is fantastic at explaining how to go about networking when it isnt something many business people enjoy. He has changed the attitudes and actions of many Unnatural Networkers at De Vere Venues, with great results and they are now Networking with a smile on their faces.

Ian Conder, Sales Director at De Vere Venues

Im someone who appreciates the value of networking, and Charlie Lawson has a powerful message to help all business owners whether running an established business or starting a new one to utilise networking to its full potential.

Jim Edgar, CEO Veritek Global

An excellent introduction to networking for anyone feeling worried or uncomfortable about the topic. Charlie gives some great insights & actions for anyone keen to improve their networking skills.

Jason Oakley, MD Commercial Banking, Metro Bank PLC

TESTIMONIALS

Charlies writing style is highly engaging, you feel he is having a conversation with you and appeals not just to your head but also your heart. His take on networking is very different to most: instead of being someone who has networked all their life, Charlie is someone that doesnt find networking easy, and has taught himself the hard way.

This book brilliantly articulates the learning curve that so many of us go through which makes it wonderfully useable. Highly recommended.

Paul McGee, (The SUMO Guy) International bestselling author and speaker

Networking is such a fundamental part of business life and yet so many business owners fear it. My advice: read Charlies excellent book that shows you how to not only get over that fear, but also generate real returns from networking.

Heather Townsend, author of The FT Guide To Business Networking and The Go-To Expert

The Unnatural Networker Foreword

BY IVAN MISNER, PH.D.

I have known Charlie Lawson for nearly 20 years. In fact, I have known him since he was just a boy. Over the years, I have watched Charlie grow into a strong, gifted leader with highly developed, powerfully effective networking skills. For this reason, I was initially rather surprised by the title of this book The Unnatural Networker and even more surprised to learn that Charlie does not view himself as a natural networker. If you know Charlie, or if you meet him at some point even briefly, then youll know exactly what I mean. Meeting Charlie, I might add, can be quite an experience for some. Why? Because Charlie is not simply a tall fellow he is towering. He once shared with me that hes technically one inch below official giant status and I can easily believe it.

Its not just Charlies physical stature that is striking, however. When it comes to networking, I think its more than fair to say that Charlie is not unlike a giant among men in this realm also. As national director of BNI in the UK and Ireland, he is responsible for running the largest branch of the worlds largest business networking organization outside of the United States. Thus, the experience and insight he possesses in regard to all aspects of networking is of an extremely rare caliber. Charlies vast networking knowledge has been gleaned through years of training and real-world experience in discovering first-hand what leads to success and what, on the flipside, can be detrimental to any networkers chances of achieving growth and prosperity in the networking arena. His insights are truly unique and, in my opinion, invaluable to new networkers and seasoned networkers alike.

In fact, one of the things that strikes me about this book is how truly important people and their stories are to Charlie. He has always been interested not only in what others are doing, but also the story behind why they are doing it. The fact is, as individuals, our motivations for anything we do can be extremely diverse and they can greatly shape the way we each approach business. Charlie understands this completely and he has incisively tapped into this in a way that I find very refreshing.