Maria (00:02.822)
Okay, so hi Debbie and welcome to the My Local Marketer podcast. Thank you very much for coming on. How are you doing?

Debbie Atkins (00:09.448)
I'm doing very well. Thank you Maria for having me on. Thank you for asking. Really appreciate

Maria (00:15.422)
Excellent. So let's jump straight in because you live in Pangbourne, which is not far from Reading, but you are familiar with Reading. What do you like about Reading?

Debbie Atkins (00:25.55)
I love the fact that it's just got so diverse and actually whatever you're wanting from a town, it is there and the accessibility. So the transport links are phenomenal, if I can get my words out. yeah, just the culture. There's so many different cultures and actually there is a lot about Reading that I still don't know and I'm still exploring. So I would encourage.

people to understand the history because we have got so much history in respect to the industries that were there and now aren't and yeah it's great.

Maria (01:06.494)
That's a great response. And as I've recently joined the History of Reading group, I can say there is certainly a lot about reading that I don't know. So now obviously today we're talking about networking. Now I don't think people really, they may think they know networking, but just to clarify, just so we're all on the same page, can you outline what is networking and the benefits of networking?

Debbie Atkins (01:33.224)
Right, that is very good question. Networking. So if you think of the actual word, it's two words, net and working. So it's making your net work for you. But what is your net? Well, actually, it's all about relationships. So it's building relationships. It's moving along a know, like and trust journey. So this is what I'm talking more specifically about from a business angle.

But actually, if you think about our lives and our communities, so if I put the word communities instead of networking or network, then actually we are surrounded by so many communities and actually they are networks. So whether that's our family network, our friends, if you belong to a sports club, whatever that is, they are all still our networks. And from a purely

business perspective, it's like actually thinking about what you are in respect to your business and how are you going to make networking work for your business. So it's aligning your goals, your strategy with your networking. They are interlinked. You don't just do one thing and then the other.

Maria (02:49.146)
I think that's great. So yeah, as you said, with the benefits of networking, it helps you get what you need, isn't it basically?

Debbie Atkins (02:55.392)
It is and people come to networking, especially from a point of view of where it's more organized and more structured in the thinking, right, okay, I need more clients, I need more clients. But actually a lot of the time it's working on yourself first from a personal development perspective and then your business will flourish. And that's whether you're employed or self -employed, because actually whether you're employed and you're in a role,

You could be managing people. Networking will still help your personal development because with a lot of networks there is training involved, not all, but there is training. So it's taking advantage. It's not just about, I'm going to go and have a chat with someone. There is a focus. There are objectives and it's what you want to bring to the table, which gets me onto your network is like your boardroom table.

So the people in your network are your boardroom table. So how you show up there is really, important from the point of view of consistency, how you, you know, your sort of tone, how you're speaking, you know, how you're giving to others, how you're helping others as

Maria (04:07.692)
I think that's a great way to look at it. And I love the way you phrased it, where it's you're working on yourself first. And I think that leads to something else I wanted to ask you about, which is the myths that we have associated with networking. So I think people hear the word networking and they instantly have that ick factor where they're like, it's sleazy. It's just someone out to get something from you. It's not very authentic. So can you maybe outline a couple of the myths like that and then try and bust those myths.

Debbie Atkins (04:36.166)
those myths? Well first of all, all of us in life are usually either buying or selling. So if we go to the supermarket we're buying something, the supermarket is selling us something. We wouldn't think about that as, you know, sort of icky or anything. Actually you're going there for a need. So in respect to networking you don't need to be an extrovert. You can, you know,

how I can be extrovert in a networking meeting, but my recharge is actually being an introvert. So there is a balance there in that respect as to, that's kind of one myth as to, you know, I'm really shy. Well, it doesn't matter because actually you're going to be stepping out of your comfort zone and it's then finding a space as in a network that actually is going to hold that space for you. And this is where the personal development side comes in and grow you.

you. So that sort of introvert, extrovert, I always say that you can, if you walk into a room and it's in person networking, you can clear a room by just walking through it and handing out your business card. So as I said earlier, it's about no like and trust in respect to building relationships. So if you want to walk through a room and hand out your business card and walk out the other side, I can guarantee you will not get anything out of networking because that is icky.

So it is about having those genuine conversations. It's about using the two ears we've got to listen. It's about using our mouth to ask questions, but then listen to the answer rather than thinking, I need to get about me, it's about me. Actually networking is about the other person because you will learn so much and then you'll work out whether, you know, there could be a strategic alliance, there could be, you know, a reason for you working together or they could be your next client or

they know who your next client needs to

Maria (06:33.908)
I absolutely agree. I love the phrase where it's, it's mutually beneficial. It's about listening, finding out what they want and then aligning whether it's a need that you can meet or someone else can meet and that'll give you kudos with them so they can refer you maybe to someone if they come across someone later on. So yeah, as you said, it's just about developing that wider network. So if someone wants to start dipping their toe, you know, you've convinced them, they think, okay, I want to start dipping my toe into networking. How would you recommend they go about

doing that.

Debbie Atkins (07:05.038)
dipping your toe. You have to take an action. That's the first thing. So it isn't... Now you can dip your toe into networking by dipping your toe in through social media. So you can kind of hide a little bit. So that will be... I would first recommend that if you're going to start thinking about networking...

and say using the sort of social media angle is making sure that you've got a good profile picture, making sure that your bio is up to date, it's got the kind of relevant information, it's actually saying what you're wanting for the person you're wanting. You if you read about your bio, would you think, do you know what, actually, I'd really like to connect with that person. So getting all of that up to date, you don't have to have a fancy website.

great, they work and especially if you're kind of selling something through a website or a course, that type of thing, but you can just have like a landing page. So there are lots of, so you can do the kind of dipping in with the social media and building up, liking other people's pages, commenting them, work in the area that you, you know, think you need to be in from the point of view of network. There are also then just going along to in -person networks.

Personally for me, I find structured meetings easier because you're kind of following a structure. for you know in a network we are online so you're kind of put into a breakout room you're coming back in. You don't have to think I've got to go and speak to that other person you know I'm gonna you know pluck up that courage to go and speak to someone. So if you are in an in -person networking go to an in -person networking meeting

Have a chat with whoever's organizing it beforehand, find out what the feel and the vibe is, what is expected, you know, are you expected to hand your business cards out or is it something that you put them on a table and people will just take from them? So there's lots of different ways of doing that but speak to the organizer if you can get that opportunity, even speaking could be through, you know, WhatsApp messages or an email but just get a little bit of a feel for what it's about.

Debbie Atkins (09:17.442)
because there can be, you know, it's a bit like when you go and buy a house, some people can walk into a house and think, this is the best thing, this is fabulous. And others will go and kind of think, no, not for me. And that is kind of with networking. You need to find your home and your home can be multiple networks as well. So, you know, I've obviously got my home, but actually I do go and go to other networks that align with my values, wants and needs.

Maria (09:45.47)
That's really interesting that from your view, the actual groups, and now I think about it, I goo you actually, that the groups are easier to use for networking than just trying to do it by yourself, because you're right, you join a group, it's structured, you're sort of taken along, you're guided through what to do, and they make it really comfortable for you. So how do people go about finding groups in the area? They can just Google networking groups.

Debbie Atkins (10:09.942)
You can Google, there is a find networking events, there is Eventbrite. So there are, mean, Google, you know, Google, that's what we do in life. If in doubt, Google the answer. AI will give us the answer now as well. So I would explore, I would use kind of a bit of a, if you're really just starting out, if you've got other people within your business that you're connected with, ask them what they do. Ask them if they will take you along.

Maria (10:18.406)
Yeah.

Debbie Atkins (10:39.34)
whether it's in person or online, so that you've got someone that you can kind of buddy up with. And you can always kind of, if you are in person, you can always sort of leave them, so to speak, and then you can come back into the room, you know, but you know someone is there that you can always go to. A top tip is if you are an in -person event and you're speaking to someone, have an open body language so that someone else that could be totally new to networking feels that they can come up and say, can I interrupt? Is it okay to join your conversation? Because that is the best feeling when someone says, and join our conversation.

It really does make a difference.

Maria (11:16.392)
I think that's so hard, isn't it? If you are slightly introverted and you think the idea of going to a room, you don't know anyone there and you've got to go up to someone and start finding out about them and their business needs or what they do. And if they're going on holiday, I mean, yeah, it's terrifying. yeah, the tip of going with someone, maybe buddying up, I think that's a nice, easy in -road in. But that leads us on to the other point that there are different types of groups. So obviously, as we'll talk in a moment, Athena,

is a bit of a mix. got some online, you got some in person and that's worked for me and I found that really good. But then you've got some that are just in person, some that meet once a week, some that meet once a month. They are so varied and different. So I think it's worth everyone knowing that, isn't it? So, so leading on from that, I was just going to say, can you give a bit more about Athena? Because obviously you are regional director for our groups.

the Reading Groups for Athena. So can you give me more detail about Athena's networking style for anyone who may be thinking about joining a

Debbie Atkins (12:22.23)
Yeah, is, you are assured of a very warm welcome and you are in a very safe space. It is in the actual meetings, the structured meetings, it is women only. So, and that women will naturally support other women. And it, that's kind of strength in the room is phenomenal. So we are our structured meetings, we meet monthly and it is online.

So you can literally zoom in and zoom out again, which works brilliantly because there is a focus there. They are two hours long between 12 o 'clock and two o 'clock once a month. So it's that two hours of focus and that focus is on you and your business and then actually how you can help the other ladies in the room, like your boardroom table. How are you going to help them? And when you're coming to a meeting with your objectives and your focus,

Knowing what your sort of networking strategy is, that is where the sort of magic will happen. Whereas if you come along thinking, well, I'm just going along for a nice meeting, actually, that's, you know, you're not going to get as much value out of the meeting. So with Athena, we have training. So there's always two pieces of training every meeting. You've got an opportunity to go into different breakout rooms. You have an opportunity to do your elevator pitch monthly minute.

you can give back into the room and help people. That's the last part of the meeting about how you can help with what they're looking for, you know, support with. But that's just the two hours. Then there is also other national events that we run. And Jacqueline Rogers, who's the founder, she runs those as well as support from other regional directors. Then we have training outside of the meeting. That's part of your membership. And then we also have

just from the online point of view, I think, or past plus, which means subject to your profession not already represented, because there is one profession per group, there's no sort clash of professions, then you can get across the whole network for free. So that's part of your membership. That has been phenomenal. That came out of being locked down and not being able to meet face to face.

Debbie Atkins (14:41.09)
but we have seen the value of being online. I've seen the value as a regional director because I've got members that are hundreds of miles away that would not be my members. So not adding value to my region, Reading and Henley. And therefore, actually, I've got that benefit and there's not another regional, you know, they aren't represented elsewhere in the country, sort of that region isn't. So there is the online presence. So a lot of training, a lot of personal development.

and then the in -person events which are informal so it doesn't matter you can turn up to as many or as few as you would like and again you can you've kind of got that sort of that connection so if you've met someone online and then you're seeing them in person you've got a double benefit and it's just lovely seeing that's what I'm on a minute on Monday we had a network so there's multi -regional again collaboration really really important

And it was like there was a member from another region and I'm like, I know you. And she's going, I know you. She said, I was at your meeting last week. So because she hasn't gotten, you I haven't got a name on a screen, but it's all of those. It's like, yes. So that's where the depth of the relationships really, really happen. So, you know, you can have part of networking is about, as I say, know, like and trust. And that's meeting up after the meeting outside of the meeting. If you can meet face to face, great.

called one -to -ones and again you're seeing someone in person. So the value whether you are hundreds of miles away or thousands of miles away or you you can still network and genuinely network and being authentic. So being genuine, being authentic, being your true self, you don't have to show up as anyone else, you have to show up as yourself.

Maria (16:31.942)
Yes, definitely. What I've really liked about being part of Thena is you go, you have a thing, this vision of mine with what you think you need and the boxes that you need to take. And suddenly you meet people and you're like, that's a business or, that's what you do. And you have the connections with people and discover things about businesses that you never thought even thought existed. And then you pick up tips from people when they're doing their pictures. There could be something totally related to you.

But when you see them doing a pitch or doing a talk, you can just pick up all these tips because everyone has got a totally different perspective and business and skills that they bring to it. So that's why I found really eye -opening, really. It's something I'd never considered. Because if you normally go out to do the sleazy networking, like, need a, I need someone to do pictures for me. I need a photographer. I'd go find a photographer. But actually, it's not so black and white, is it?

Debbie Atkins (17:29.126)
There is there's a lot of I work a lot with from the point of view of energy and feeling and sensing and that's where kind of going back to an earlier question You know how you dip your toe in how you find your home. So, you know start start with Where your sort of network is what it means to you but it is the

what you're sensing coming across, thinking when you're listening, it's listening, you should be doing more when you're networking, you should be listening more because actually then you're absorbing more. So it could be in the network strategy training. most regional directors deliver their own network strategy training. It's just hints and tips about how to improve your networking. You've got an opportunity to connect with the other ladies in the room.

the business development training, which is when a member delivers the training and it is a training, it's not a promotion of your business. They are the little nuggets, the golden nuggets. They might be little as in, you know, a few little nuggets that the other ladies are going to take away and whether they can apply it to themselves personally or whether it's going to help them in their business or in their personal life. You just don't know. I talk about the ripple effect in networking. You don't know

where your information, your words are going to land and how they're going to help people and that is what makes networking very, very special. I've been a regional director for 10 years now and it still gives me goosebumps at meetings and yeah, I feel very blessed with all of my members and I'm very grateful for how they have helped me personally, professionally and then seeing how they help everyone else.

Very nice.

Maria (19:22.78)
And as a marketer, I've noticed that one of the best forms of marketing, especially for local marketing, is word of mouth. I mean, it costs nothing. People trust recommendations from other people. And the best way to do that is obviously to start networking in your area. And you soon find that someone knows someone knows someone. So before you know it, you've got whole network in your local area. People recommending you Left, and Center. I see it on the Facebook community groups all the time.

Yeah, from the marketing point of view, everyone should get networking because it's free. You meet such great connections and they're more meaningful as well. So that I think is my key takeaway that I picked up from networking. Is there a key takeaway, whether it's something we've discussed already or something different that you want everyone to take away about networking from this talk?

Debbie Atkins (20:15.786)
It is part of who we are. Networking is part of our lives. How we do it, it can be very different, but it is part of our lives. So it's not, it's about thinking that that, it's joined up. It is about being genuine. It is about being authentic and trusting that you will attract the people that are right for you into your networking.

and you might even join, you know, create sub networks and things like that, like you just said about, you know, a few people getting together. The, you know, to me, the universe is of abundance. That is how my belief is. So therefore collaborating. So I collaborate with other networks. I've got to use my connections with other networks because if I can't look after someone, who do I hand them on to that is a safe space and where they need to be?

So that is really what I would say, be yourself, trust your instincts, trust who you are, be genuine and also appreciating how many people are in our networks. We forget who is in our network. So therefore showing up and being present and reminding people, you know I'm still here and this is what I'm doing and as we evolve we need to communicate that to other people.

as in actually I've moved on to do this part of my business because everyone is thinking there you know you're over here but actually you've moved to a different area so remembering who's in our network and you networking through the room so that you can help people being a go -giver

Maria (21:51.826)
I love that. Thank you. So yeah, I think that's everything today, Debbie. So thank you so much for coming on the podcast. I really appreciate it. And thank you for sharing your wisdom. I mean, I continue to learn something with networking every week. So I hope there's at least one person watching this who wants to their toe in the water and start networking, because it will really open up doors for them that they never imagined.

Debbie Atkins (22:12.204)
Maria, thank you so much. if anyone's got any questions, I am more than happy to signpost them to where I feel their home will be and more than happy to help. And thank you again for asking me.

Maria (22:30.046)
Thank you.