Episode 252 – Charlie Lawson – It’s Okay To Be Unnatural As A Business Owner
Strategic Networking and Collaboration with Charlie Lawson Networking and collaboration stand as the essential pillars supporting business success in today’s dynamic and interconnected business environment. Networking goes beyond casual conversations with strangers; it involves cultivating strategic relationships that bring mutual benefits. The key to networking lies in identifying and engaging with the right networks, focusing on quality over quantity. Networking, when paired with collaboration, becomes a potent force, leveraging individual strengths within a team or network to fuel innovation and facilitate business growth. Networking is not just about who you know but how effectively you collaborate with your network to achieve your goals. Join the conversation with Charlie Lawson as he shares networking and collaboration strategies and how you can leverage them to scale your business and build a culture of support, shared knowledge, and amplified success. Charlie is a very Unnatural Networker, and he helps other Unnatural Networkers gain confidence by putting networking across from the point of view of someone who would rather avoid it completely. His first book, The Unnatural Networker, was released in 2014 and has helped countless business owners learn how to network effectively. His second book, The Unnatural Promoter, was released in 2021 and focuses on helping people who don’t like to blow their own trumpet to be brilliant at self-promotion. Charlie is a renowned and highly regarded keynote speaker and gained his expertise from 13 years as the UK national director of BNI, the international business networking organisation. In his spare time, he can be found swimming/biking/running in triathlons while trying not to get too depressed at how Spurs are doing in the league. Tune in! Key Highlights from the Episode; [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Charlie Lawson [02:19] What Charlie drinks on a normal working day and his shifts [09:00] The biggest thing Charlie had to overcome to become comfortable with networking [11:13] Two ways to get out of a conversation in a networking event [14:36] The most significant thing Charlie has been working on in his business [17:01] Joint networking strategy that will work for your work and business [20:26] The insights behind Unnatural Promoter in Charles 2nd book [26:37] The best way to reach out and connect with Charlie [28:20] Key takeaway from Charlie on collaboration that you can start implementing today [31:43] Charlie’s next coffee dream location and the book he will be reading [34:15] Wrap up and end of the show Notable Quotes * Whatever your goals are, get networking for your work, job, or business; it will work. – Charlie Lawson [17:48] * Create a strategy to have three or four networks that you are operating in; if you have too many, you will be too spread, and you will not be able to give each the attention it needs. – Charlie Lawson [17:52] * A low-level networking approach is better than aiming for the stars. – Charlie Lawson [19:07] * If you see other people getting opportunities over you, it’s because they are willing to talk about themselves and make a difference for themselves. – Charlie Lawson [21:51]