Networker Profile: Jan Jack

• Stuart Russell
• Tuesday 1 May 2012

What is your business called?

Jan Jack’s Perfect Verse

Briefly describe what your business does?

I’m a poet, comedian and writer, and I help people express their feelings, whether it’s for a wedding speech for a Father of the Bride or Best Man, a much loved Mum’s special birthday or a business looking for a quirky way to promote themselves.

Which networking group(s) do you attend and how often?

My main networking is through a national group called 4Networking; it’s primarily breakfast meetings but now branching out into evening meetings as well. I try to attend at least once a week, but it depends on how many deadlines I’m working to!

How much of your business is directly or indirectly derived from attending business networking events?

I’ve worked out that around 70% of my business comes from face to face networking. The rest is referrals.

What format of networking event do you most enjoy?

I enjoy the occasions where everyone in the room gets the chance to stand up and tell the world what they do….as long as they don’t go on for too long (there really does need to be a gong present for some people!) You can tell a lot about someone by the way they talk about their business, and you then get the chance to approach them for a proper chat..

What do you feel you gain from attending networking events?

It can be isolating working from home. It’s lovely to get out and share some banter. I’ve met some lovely people whilst networking; I now regard many as my ‘colleagues’. And of course you get to choose who you do business with, and can avoid the people you don’t like! Anyone who has worked in a large office will know the terrors of having to sit opposite Bernard the Bore…that just can’t happen when you’re self employed.

The other bonus of networking is that you can learn so much from people who are more experienced than you.

What is your top networking tip?

Always take a genuine interest in what the other person is saying. Listen more than you speak and don’t ever make snap judgements. You don’t know who the other person might know….

www.perfectverse.co.uk

Comment below!