Views from the floor…

“The program is insightful, concise and full practical tips to develop confidence skills and results. Our delegates returned energized and significantly more confident in their abilities to network effectively. I highly recommend this course by Melissa Kidd.”  Bill Haynes CEO Verridian Plc.

“Really valuable session, lots of new ideas and a different perspective on networking. Very helpful couple of hours” James Trezona, Managing Director, Mason Zimbler

“Being a communicator by trade, I thought my networking abilities were relatively good – until I participated in a networking skills seminar with Rob and Melissa. The delivery was professional, passionate, fresh, engaging and fun; and I realised that the scope, skills and reasons are far greater than originally anticipated. The session has been invaluable for the development of my networking skills, in fact, I put them in place immediately and have already started to develop business relationships.  Many thanks to you both.” Sara Lewis, Regional Director of Aspect Public Relations.

“Thanks for a really enjoyable, hands-on seminar. Both myself and Philip came away with some good stuff. We’ ve  put some of it into practice and already seeing an improvement” Alex Farrow, Creative Director, Barneys.

Great seminar last week – I feel like I could face a networking event now, rather than want to avoid them! I’ve already put some of the top tips to good use so I can see it will be really beneficial in developing contacts within our industry.

For me, the most useful points were how to start the conversation and explain the job I do, and also how to politely exit the conversation when the time is right.  Also, just being armed with a bit of information on current topics or thinking what to say when people ask what you’ve been up to are a great help. Roll on the next networking evening! Kate Strudwick, Epoch Design

“I wanted to let you know that I found the course very useful and I do feel like it has given my confidence a good boost. I gained a lot of reassurance from meeting people who I would have considered ’seasoned professionals’ but who don’t always find it easy to network.

There was a very good atmosphere to the meeting and a really good mix of people from different backgrounds so it turned into quite a good networking event in itself.  The most useful part was the planning side – quite often these things can seem like common sense – doing research etc but I got good pointers on how to go about it.”  Antonia Thomas, International Business Co-ordinator, South West of England Regional Development Agency.

“I really enjoyed the networking event last night and found that taking part in the workshop before the event was money well spent. Without your and Rob’s advice, entering the busy Goldbrick Bar would have been far more intimidating. I found your advice made me more focused on the job in hand and helped me to work the room with more confident because I had a structure in my networking.” Philip Neil, Photographer.

“ I feel that all the vital tweaks have been made in my mind to give me more confidence and feel comfortable when attending networking events. I really enjoyed talking with everyone at the Bristol Media event following the session and have a new outlook on what networking is all about and how I can help other people in the industry.” Rebecca Dix, Marketing & Project Coordinator, Codsteaks

The art of networking is much underestimated. As our students leave university to enter the job market, it is so important that they have the ability to promote themselves confidently when in contact with potential employers.  Bath Spa  University considered the ‘Manage Your Mingling’ course a good investment for its students, as Melissa and Rob’s laid back and interactive style of training was suited to the students and enabled them to absorb some important tools and techniques whilst participating in the practical exercises. Having now tried and tested these techniques, the students that attended the training session have described it as ‘really useful’, ‘clear, simple and easy to understand’ and really enjoyed putting it into practice. Business Support Office, Bath  Spa University, June 2009