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My 14 years’ experience of growing a business from £0-£100m as well as the life that goes with it.

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Simon Says

Winformation This Week...

I’ve never looked forward to walking into a room of strangers and being forced to “chat”. Put me in front of hundreds to deliver and talk, and I really don’t feel uncomfortable...so long as I can go home once the talk is done.

Networking for me is like your first ever school disco, the dread of asking someone to dance...it’s always felt forced, fake, too much effort. Back in my day the events were always in places like a Holiday Inn just off the M6. The beige buffet drier than the chat. I think most people assume all founders are these outgoing types, ready for conversation, and they “sell” at any point. That’s not the case for me, and probably many others too.

But networking doesn't have to be like this. Not anymore. The good news is, I’ve learned there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what networking is about.

Below in One Idea to Win in Business we talk about how to build a network if like me, you HATE “networking”.

In the early days of setting up our business, I literally remember saying the words “I’ll be happy when”.  

“I’ll be happy when we get our first employee.” 

“I’ll be happy when we move into our new office.” 

“I’ll be happy when we get grow the team to 10 people” 

The reality is when these milestones are achieved, the happiness spikes for only a few weeks before us humans return to our “baseline happiness”.  

It’s the same with material purchases. A new car is only new for a month or so, then it becomes just what takes you to work and back. Below in today’s One Idea to Win in Life we look at phycologists have named this the Hedonic Treadmill and how a lifetime spent chasing goals doesn't always lead the happiness we thought it would...and what to do instead.

One Idea to Win in Business

Something to Rethink Networking

How to Network... Without Networking!

Years ago me and my co-founder went to a networking event locally. As it was a gathering of local private businesses, and our market was national public bodies, it made absolutely no sense to go, but for some reason we did anyway. 

The coffee was bad, the other attendees were so far removed from the people we needed to build connection with, and the 2012 suit was cutting into my neck. 

The one guy I did force myself to speak to was from a wealth management company. I couldn't have been less suitable for him. I’d driven to the event in a £250 car and parked it at the back of the car park so no one could see me. 

For over a decade after, and only up until recently, I still received in the post his quarterly magazine that I was just too shy on the day to tell him I didn’t want. 

The whole thing was pointless. 

But building a network is so important. There must be another way...and there is. And it starts with totally reframing what networking is. 

You see the biggest opportunities for our business rarely came from the rooms I stood in. They appeared in rooms I wasn’t even in. 

Networking isn’t about being in every room, it’s about being talked about when you’re not there. 

You don’t need to become a networking machine; you need to become “referable”. 

And to avoid too much of the face to face business speed dating scene, here’s how I’ve been forced to do this over the years: 

1. To avoid the 1-2-1 interactions, you have to embrace the 1 to many. Any time there’s a chance to give a talk, a speech, a guest lecture, a webinar, take it. I’m just in the cab on the way home by the time the cling film is taken off the finger buffet. Leave your impression, make sure you’re memorable and you will be referred to by others. 

2. Stand for something. Don’t try and please everyone. Be known for having principles and standing for what you think is right (and therefore wrong). People will remember you for this and mention you to others. 

3. You need a personal profile online. When someone struggles to remember your name, a quick search and there you are, your profile shared. 

4. Be a great connector. I’m constantly introducing people digitally. On LinkedIn, Insta, even in person, if you see someone needs something or is struggling with something, copy in the person you know can help. People remember that, and usually do the same for you. 

Do this, and do it well and you will find the best networking takes place in rooms you’ve never walked into. 

One Idea to Win in Life

Something to Build Happiness Daily

The Happiness Trap: The Hedonic Treadmill Explained

When we work on such long-term visions, a 3 year vision, a 5 year vision and annually set goals. And when all we hear is delayed gratification and sacrifice it’s natural then then we all slip into the danger of thinking or even saying “I’ll be happy when...”

The new car, the promotion, the bigger house, the business milestone you chased for years.

It feels incredible at first “this is it, everything I’ve worked for” but a few weeks later something weird happens. It becomes a new normal.

Psychologists call this the Hedonic Treadmill. The idea that human beings quickly return to a baseline level of happiness after positive changes.

So, knowing this...what can we do differently?

The most successful people I know that are also what I would call “happy” (from the outside at least) have done something different.

They don’t wait for the next big milestone to give themselves permission to be happy, they build happiness into the process itself.

1. Relationships.

2. Health.

3. Progress.

4. Meaningful work.

These are the drivers that actually move the needle long term. So, chase the goals. Build the business. Achieve the milestones. Just don’t expect them to carry your happiness for long.

Without sounding too “hippy” happiness is the journey, not the outcomes themselves.

Win or Wonder?

Ask Me a Question…

No matter where you are on this mad journey. Starting out, scaling up, or somewhere in the messy middle feel free to ask me anything.

Business, life or mindset, I read and reply to every question. The best ones will get featured in future editions of Winformation, with your permission of course!

To ask, just hit “reply”, type your question and send. That’s it. No forms. No fuss.

Until next week! 

Let’s win, together!