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Archive for the ‘About Nial Adams’ Category
Sales & Marketing Training Presentation at the Chamber B2B
I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be delivering two at the Norfolk Chamber B2B Event on Thursday 19th October. Part of The PUSH Academy, these events are designed to get your sales and marketing moving quickly. If you’d like to attend (and you don’t need to be a Chamber Member) you can register for your place and grab a free ticket here -
http://www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/featured-event/page/workshops-2
Keep it Real – Become an Authority
An interesting conversation with a new client yesterday threw up a very interesting outcome. The question and scenario that we were addressing was one of how best to establish Authority – and Authority in respect to the way we position ourselves in our respective field of expertise.
If you’ve read Dr Robert Cialdini’s work on Influence you’ll know that he describes ‘Authority’ as one of the key principles of influence. If you’ve not read Cialdini, you seriously must; it’s one of, if not THE most important books on human psychology and how we relate to it in terms of marketing and sales communication. [Here’s a link – Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
The vital part to remember about Authority is that firstly you really do need to know what you’re talking about – if you think you can wing-it, forget it, you’ll get caught out sooner or later. Authenticity is one of the key elements that builds trust and forges strong bonds in every human relationship, and vital in a professional context. Through my experiences in business networking I often come across people who are desperately seeking acceptance but instead of simply being themselves, they believe that they require a mask of personality that ‘fits’ with what they believe everyone else expects of them. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t want to know who you think you should be, I want to know the real you – what makes you tick, what gets you up in the morning, what excites you, what provokes you!
Trying to create a personality that ‘fits’ with the accept norm is a myth anyway. Reflecting on this the other day I realised that many of the people I value most in my life are actually a bit odd, strange and some are clearly quite barking… I’m not sure what that says about me! However, they are all completely comfortable in their own skin; they’re not trying to be something or someone else. I see the real person and connect with them. We all possess a most basic human ability to pick up on the subtle signs that others are faking it. Sure, there are some great actors out there and it could even be argued that we’re all actors in one form or another.
Nial Adams - The 'Barking Blogger'..!
The main reason that people struggle to build Authority is actually not because they have a lack of knowledge, experience or skill in their chosen field but because they have a lack of personal awareness of what that knowledge is worth to others and how to value it. We all know so much and world serves up to us, on a minute-by-minute basis, more information, knowledge and learning than we could ever hope absorb in one lifetime. What’s more, we probably only use a fraction of our knowledge and experience in our daily lives. So it’s not a lack of knowing that holds us back, it’s a lack of knowing how to harness it, for our benefit and for the benefit of others.
Stop for a moment and consider the life experiences that have brought you to where you are today. Remember that you’re at the very leading edge of human evolution; although sometimes it may not feel like it the morning after the night before! These experiences have been successful, enough to keep you alive until today and that is no small feat. Now stop and consider how those experiences and the learning you have can benefit so many other people around you. It might not be in a professional context, it could be to the benefit of those close to you, a friend who needs a caring ear and soothing words of kindness, or it could be that child who looks to you for guidance as they go forward in the world. Above all share who you really are and in this way you’ll build the trust and ‘authority’ that sets you apart from the crowd.
– Be, Do, Have…
Get to Know: Nial Adams
Company: NialAdams.com & PUSH Online.com
Born: Norwich, 1969
- Where do you live? In early 2010 I moved back to my home county of Norfolk and living with my partner in Wymondham; a lovely market town just ten miles from Norwich.
- Where do you work from? Anywhere and everywhere. As a consultant the majority of my time is spent with my clients but I’ve learned to work with nothing more than a laptop and my trusty iPhone; it’s real freedom!
- When did you start your first business? When I was just 19. Despite bags of enthusiasm I knew nothing and was completely green so I had to learn fast. Over the following years I was very fortunate to work in different countries with some brilliant business people so I gain a very broad experience at an early age.
- What advice would you give others starting out in business? Understand the practical mechanics of business before getting excited about your ‘passion’ (read Gerber’s ‘E-myth’ if you want to understand this more). Very few people ever start a business with the required knowledge that certain elements will steer them towards success much more quickly and save years of heartache and wasted expense!
- How do you spend your downtime? I’ve got a growing passion for guitars. I’d certainly not say I’m an experienced musician but enjoy the peace and emotion of playing; it’s great for the soul and a perfect way to totally switch off. I listen to a lot of music and love cooking, being outdoors and spending time with my loved ones, just like everyone else I guess.
- Your favourite possession? That’s a hard one. I’ve learned over recent years that material things are much less important than relationships and experiences. I’d say my first guitar would be something I’d always want by my side – a wonderful acoustic by Crafter; it’s got its own soul!
- Best experience ever? I’d probably say taking part in the world-famous Bull Run in Pamplona in 2008; it was terrifying but the most exhilarating, adrenaline-filled experience of my life! I’d recommend it to the brave of heart… and the downright stupid!
- That special moment? Watching the birth of my first daughter Victoria, it was a miracle of life, she was so beautiful and I cried like a baby too!
- Your favourite food? I just love to eat (and cook) so it’s tough to choose just one. I’d probably go for Japanese for the experience but I still think you can’t beat a traditional Sunday Roast (rare ribs of beef please!)
- Your favourite drink? No competition; a pint of the freshest Wherry (Woodfordes) with the guys at The Fat Cat in Norwich on a Friday evening!
- Dream holiday destination? So many places I plan to visit. I think the mountain temples of Tibet would be my choice, to sit on the roof of the world must be an awesome experience.
- What car do you drive? Alfa Romeo GT V6, my second Alfa and I love it, despite all the jokes about the reliability of Italian cars, there’s nothing like it for driving soul. Plus I’m keeping the economy going through my fuel tax contributions!
- Sport, hobbies and keeping in shape? Well, I spent over 20 years studying traditional martial arts and achieved 4th Dan Master rank in Hapkido. I was also very lucky to be a private student for over 3 years with a Master of the Japanese Sword.
- Your favourite gadget? My iPhone, no question, it’s a world-class design and has moved mobile technology forward significantly. I couldn’t do my job without it. My iPad comes in a very close second… okay, I’ll admit it, I love Apple products
- Most inspirational person? I suppose I could go for the classic clichés of Nelson Mandela or Ghandi but I’ve got to say it would be my mum! She’s been a rock to me for so many years; fun, selfless, so utterly loving and always there for me.
- Most favourite film? Well, for storyline I’d go with ‘Fight Club’, for action ‘300’ and I loved Avatar in 3D, got totally lost in it. On a cold wet Sunday though it’s got to be ‘Some like it hot’… they don’t make em like that anymore!
- What are you most passionate about? I really have a struggle with prejudice and intolerance. I’m so saddened that emotionally immature people feel the only way they can feel better about themselves is to hate others.
- If you could live a double life and be someone completely different what would you do/who would you be? Well, a fast-jet pilot, F1 driver or rock star! OK, so I’m really just a big kid – no excuses!
- Biggest mistake in life? Thinking I could change others ‘for the better’ rather than trying to become a better person myself. I worked it out in the end though and life tastes very sweet again!
- Your favourite song or album? Well, I’ve got very wide music tastes; the best album would be Vicious Delicious by Infected Mushroom (no seriously, it’s genuine!) but my ‘signature tune’ has to be ‘Feeling Good’ sung by Michael Buble (did I really just admit that?!)
Nial Adams is Co-Foudner of PUSH Marketing Partners and works with companies and organisations of all sizes and types. He’s known for his experience as a copywriter, e-marketing and someone who ‘tells it how it is.
The Bull Runners Celebrate - it's Partagas Time!