The Power of Networking for Financial Success with Lizzie Phillips

On this one I was delighted to be joined by Lizzie Allen Phillips, the founder of IWant2Network, who is on a mission to become London's number one premium business networking organization with her networking group, IWant2Network.

This was a fascinating conversation with Lizzie where we discussed the power of networking for financial success.

🌟 Some of the most interesting parts of our conversation were:

✅Common networking mistakes and how to avoid them;
✅Addressing imposter syndrome and other common networking fears;
✅Cost-effective networking strategies for start-ups and small businesses; 
✅Managing follow-ups and maintaining meaningful connections over time;
✅Turning networking connections into long term collaborations or partnerships; 
✅How to identify and approach the right networking opportunities for small businesses.

Business Book Bonus:

Zero to 100: The Gold Standard of Global Networking - https://amzn.eu/d/cYgOrjj
We Can All Make It - https://amzn.eu/d/3efQ8sj

Transcript

Adam (00:02.444)

So today I'm here with Lizzie Phillips, the founder of I Want To Network, who is on a mission to become London's number one premium business networking organization with her network, I Want To Network. So Lizzie, welcome to the Fractional CFO Show, how you doing?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (00:19.872)

I'm good Adam, how are you?

Adam (00:22.168)

I'm very well, thanks for asking, I'm very well. And so, well, welcome, and today we're going to dive straight into the power of networking for financial success. So to start with, would you mind giving us a bit of an overview of how you went from, I think I saw you started your career in marketing. So how did you go from there to starting up I Want To Network?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (00:41.634)

Yeah

Lizzie Allen Phillips (00:45.432)

Good question, Adam. Okay, so my background is marketing, as you quite rightly said. Both my parents run their own business, although one of them is retired now. And when I was younger, when everyone wanted to get some pocket money in, we would think I would look as to the different things that I could do in their business that would earn me bit of extra pocket money. So, and the different things I ended up doing was like writing Christmas cards.

doing their sales and marketing plan or their brochure or their CRM system. And so I kind of went into marketing from there, which was at a marketing agency. Now for those that are old enough to remember the dial-up in terms of internet, I was on the internet dial-up program, which was what I do at the time. And then from there, it went to Business Link. Again, I'm trying my A-G, Adam.

from Business Link, which is all about startup business. And from there, I got involved in events. So in their marketing department, they also had an events department, a PR, and all under one marketing banner. And it was when I was working in the events section, because everybody kind of took turns to move around the team, which I thought was quite innovative at the time, I really enjoyed the events.

So the events that we used to work on was anything from training master classes right through to networking. Quite a lot of the speed networking sessions I did were to help business owners and really loved the camaraderie, the connections. So when I had the opportunity to move on from BusinessLink and take their own advice and start up a business.

Adam (02:15.768)

Mm-hmm.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (02:33.218)

that's what I focused on was the speed networking and the business networking.

Adam (02:41.514)

Okay, okay, great. So I can, it all makes sense now, Lizzie. It all makes sense. It all makes sense. So obviously you're passionate about networking and that's what we're talking about. Particularly the audience of this podcast tend to be small business owners. And so I'd like to start by talking about networking for those groups and how best to identify and approach the right opportunities for small businesses.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (02:42.382)

I told you it was a bit of a long story, but here we go.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (03:02.542)

Mmm.

Adam (03:09.036)

So what are some of the sort of key factors that you would recommend small business owners consider when choosing the right networking event or platform for themselves?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (03:19.916)

Yeah, sure. I think you mentioned my background in marketing and effectively networking is a marketing tool and you need to think, I'm sure Adam, you know this with the amount of number of guests that you have, is there any form of returning investment for marketing has to be right. So I always say networking is an investment. So going back to your question about working out which ones are right, it's about putting together your strategy on what you want to get from networking.

One of the things I always suggest is lots of people go with a view of getting sales and that's great. But when we talk about networking, we kind of cover this topic in my Networking Masterclass, is that you need to write three goals, at least three goals that you want to get from networking. Now, if one of those is sales, you need to effectively write another three targets on those sales that you want to produce and then another two.

other than sales and what you want to get from it. Now, as I said, most people go in it with a view of sales, but actually it might be referrals, it might be referral partners, so those that might know your end client rather than the end client directly. Or it might be, for some of my members, is growing confidence outside of their normal sort of day-to-day. So quite often we go into business because we actually enjoy the work that we're doing.

But very rarely do we have the opportunity to kind of step out of the business and work on the business itself. So again, it's really down to the individual. It might be down to, for example, the job that they have, the job role that they have. But ultimately it's down to personal preference.

Adam (05:08.512)

Okay, excellent. Great, great. And I'm really glad you talked about goals there, because that's something in all areas that is more valuable to have than not have. And so the fact that you sort of identify three goals for those in your masterclass and those in your networks to choose or to identify, I'm always interested when it comes to goals about short term and long term. And so how do you think about that from a networking perspective? How should

small business owners or anyone go into networking, balancing those short-term and long-term goals, do you think?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (05:39.982)

Mmm.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (05:43.692)

Okay, well, networking is not a short-term thing, it's reality of it. I would say it takes at least eight to 12 months at least to kind of build that relationship with people. There's lots of different types of networking out there. And on that basis, there might be a networking event. So let's take the different types of networking. In terms of what we class as ad hoc networking, which is kind of

You go to a networking, you get thrown in a room, it's up to you to kind of make those connections. That's more ad hoc networking and they're structured. And on the polar extreme of that is a weekly networking session where you're asked to pass referrals and build those relationships and it's very focused on...

I wouldn't say extreme, but it's very more focused on building those relationships because that's where the magic happens. For us, think we kind of sit in the middle. So we're certainly not weekly, we're monthly. And we do have the option to do more ad hoc networking as well. So getting back to your question.

It really depends again on the person, but I would go with a open mind that if you are thinking that you're going to get business from ad hoc networking, it's unlikely to happen. If you think about it yourself, if you ask a friend and say, do you know any good plumbers? Or do you know a good builder or?

a good tutor or whatever it might be in your own personal life. It's only when you once you've built that relationship with that person that you're more likely to say, I can recommend that person.

Adam (07:37.751)

Yeah, no, absolutely. It's logical, but you forget the logic sometimes, don't you, when you're in the heat of battle, as they say. I wonder, you talk there about the ad hoc versus the weekly or regular. What strategies, I guess, would you suggest people use to make sure that the time they spent is the right time? So they're spending their money on the networking groups, they're spending their time on the networking groups.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (07:41.772)

Yeah.

Adam (08:05.614)

in the right way. So are there any tips or tricks that you could recommend people sort of bear in mind?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (08:12.832)

Yeah, so you need to look at, first of all, you need to make sure that it works for you. you need to look at what, sounds silly principles, but number one, whether the timing, time, date is gonna work for you more than anything else, because it is a regular commitment.

Also, look at the people within the room. I think there is an element where people think that they're going to get business from the room, but actually on average, everybody has 684 contacts, supposedly. So it's more about the fact that they're going to be getting connections from those people rather than people within the room. If there's a particular industry that you're looking for, then you need to...

Say for example if it's a property and building industry then you may be wanting to look for specific type of groups that you know are going to likely contain those. For me personally we have various different groups for example an international one because I know there is international clients so again it kind of goes back to those targets of like who actually do you want to connect with and to think and focus upon the type of

businesses or contacts you're ultimately looking for. So one of the things that I use the analogy of and everybody in their one minute will say, anybody that's over five employees, I can help everybody. That's my number one pet hate is that I can help everybody. And I always say, be really specific. So say it's just how our brain works in terms of a Rolodex.

Adam (09:30.446)

Mm-hmm.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (09:55.072)

So say for example, if I said to you, Adam, give me three chocolate bars that have caramel in them.

Adam (10:06.998)

Okay, put me on the spot here. Mars, Snickers and Twix. There you go. That's three.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (10:13.528)

But if I said to you, so actually I want ones that have caramel but no peanuts in them, for example, that leaves you with Mars and Twix, right? So the whole idea is the more specific you are, the more you're going to kind of narrow it down rather than saying, I want any chocolate bar is fine. There you go.

Adam (10:23.915)

Yeah, yeah.

Adam (10:33.326)

I like the analogy. like chocolate bars, like caramel, I like the analogy. Very good. But they have to have peanuts in, that's just a personal preference. Very good. Yeah, exactly. That's targeted, right? To your point. So it makes sense. You've made your point very well there.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (10:35.921)

I knew it!

Lizzie Allen Phillips (10:41.87)

In which case you're left with snickers, in which case you're just gonna be asking for a snicker.

Adam (10:54.302)

One thing that you, so you touched on there about, you know, I can help everybody, right? And that is a pet hate of yours. That's a, probably you would define that as a mistake, I guess, in terms of from a networking perspective, you're not really targeting those people that you really want to help. You're a bit broad. So are there some other sort of frequent mistakes that you see business owners making, particularly at the outset, perhaps, when they're new to networking that you could perhaps help?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (11:15.736)

you

Adam (11:23.202)

them avoid.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (11:25.772)

Yeah, we've mentioned about being specific, but as part of that is kind of ensuring that you plan out your one minute business pitch. And when you are looking at a talk networking as well as in a group, or even when you're pitching just to somebody on the phone, it's being about specific, about the type of businesses that you're looking for and also your offering.

Using examples, well, let's turn the, I'm a very positive person, Adam, so let's turn it into not necessarily mistakes, but things that work better. There we go. So for example, you might wanna use testimonials or examples of people that you've helped that week, so people get an understanding, a bit more of an understanding of how your business works or how your services work. You...

Adam (12:04.066)

Mm-hmm. Sounds good.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (12:21.588)

need to ensure that if, for example, you're going to a networking event that you can stay before or after the session would be useful. So again, you're kind of building that relationship. Even if it's online, it's quite useful. I'm one of those people that is always late for something and there's nothing worse than going in feeling flustered and feel like you're kind of being thrown into something. being, yeah, so being on time. If you can't attend a networking session,

There are some networking organisations that ask you to send a sub and that's great because you still need your business represented as well. So making sure that you send your one minute to that person or somebody in the group so that your business is still represented. And also it kind of gives a strange connotation that if you haven't sent something, it's a bit like, yeah, I can't really be bothered to be there or something else has come up that's more important than this.

Adam (13:12.107)

Hmm.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (13:17.77)

And effectively, the people that you're meeting are your sales team and your sales advocate team. So it's about showing up and being presentable as well.

Adam (13:29.496)

Great, great tips, great tips. And I like the flipping around to what's worked and what you found helpful. That's very good. Well, one thing you said there at the end about the sales team, and that's something I know that, as you mentioned, a lot of people go into business because they enjoy doing the thing that they have gone into business to do, not necessarily the salesy bit or the marketing bit or the networking bit. And those people can sometimes feel...

a fear of being sort of overtly sales focused. So how do you see that work best in a networking environment to avoid being sort of ticking that box of being too salesy but still promoting yourself effectively?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (14:00.397)

Yeah.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (14:10.686)

Yeah.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (14:14.67)

I think it needs to come more naturally. think it again, it depends upon if you are someone that is a little bit nervous about doing networking or are aware that they need to do it, but are kind of doing it out of because they need to do it rather than wanting to do it. Then it's about choosing the right type of networking for them.

So they may prefer something more structured because somebody else is kind of doing the work for them, if that makes sense. So you're not kind of then thrown into a room where you feel you have to do it but don't want to do it. So something what a class has facilitated. So normally you have a chair or somebody that's organizing the event on the day that will help you actively.

connect with one another. That might be that they will introduce you to somebody or it might well be that you do one minute business pitches around the room. But something more facilitated would be more preferable, I think.

Adam (15:23.207)

Yeah, it makes sense. That makes sense. So guess sort of leaning on the structure of the networking group that you're part of and then making sure that you're authentic, right?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (15:34.144)

Yeah. I think in this country, it's interesting because we run an international group and actually different countries network quite differently. And in America, for example, entrepreneurism is completely seen very, it's just seen differently. Whereas here, I don't know if you find this with your other guests.

is if you say, what do you do for a living? I said, I run my own business. In fact, I had it yesterday. you're brave. you're very posh. Or you're brave. Not rather than in America, they'll say, yeah, that's great. Good for you, man. It's very, very different. So I think going back to the authentic element, I think is about being open. I think if you are...

are struggling with a problem in business. I think that's one of the advantages of being part of a group rather than ad hoc networking is that you are all sharing a business problem at the same time. And quite often people aren't happy to help you as long as you tell them or ask them for help.

Adam (16:39.502)

Hmm.

Adam (16:44.95)

Yeah, no, absolutely. I've experienced it from a networking point of view. I've been to the ad hoc groups and I've been to your group, obviously, and other groups. And I've found the groups are much more conducive to being able to be authentic, be your true self and share those problems with others and try to help them. And then in turn, they help you,

Lizzie Allen Phillips (17:08.791)

Yeah, exactly that, yeah.

Adam (17:10.976)

Excellent, excellent. One thing I guess segues nicely onto the next point I wanted to talk about, which is about those long-term collaborations or longer-term partnerships and how you can best take those first steps after a positive networking interaction to start building that solid relationship. So what do you counsel or recommend your members do to, you've had a good experience in a networking group over a number of months,

How do you start to turn that into a solid relationship, into a longer term partnership opportunity?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (17:47.682)

Yeah, so you'll hear the terminology when you go networking one-to-one quite frequently. And this kind of stems back to actually one of your previous questions about being authentic. One of my biggest frustrations is when people say, let's have a one-to-one and they haven't even been to the networking session yet. It's almost like, yeah, I'm going to grab as many connections from you as possible, as quickly as possible.

And it needs to be that it's more, just more natural. So for example, if your networking group does a social, socials are great outside of the actual network month. In our case, a monthly meeting, other, there are other networking, I feel like I'm the BBC now, other networking groups are available. So socials are great because you get to meet people in a more relaxed environment.

as well, so it's kind of building that relationship with somebody outside the room. But one-to-ones, you'll hear that terminology quite a bit, and it's finding out a little bit more about that person outside your normal networking session to find out where their connections lie. Now, quite often with one-to-ones, people will only mention the services that they have at the moment. They don't always go into their background, and to me, that's always quite

more interesting than the actual services itself because you'll find out where the previous industry experience comes in. One of the questions I always, for example, ask solicitors is how did you get into the law? Why are you specialising in that law? And then from there you get to find out about their story and then that's again where you're kind of building that relationship. So good referrers is normally people that...

can be a stepping stone to someone else. So again, it's not about the ultimate end game. It's about who they can step stone to someone else and ultimately provide them referrers as well.

Adam (19:56.032)

one of those 684 contacts you mentioned earlier. That was a good number. It a good stat. I'm going to use that one. Excellent.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (19:58.638)

Yeah. But interestingly though, Adam, if you've got 10 people in the group, that's 6,000 contacts already. And I think if you're doing part of a group or a session where you're only doing one minute business pitch and you're doing over 12 months, it's only 12 minutes. So you've got to build those relationships somewhere else, realistically, or build them further in another way.

Adam (20:28.53)

Yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely. So you touched there on sort of the benefits of networking and the longer term partnerships. So it's a bit of a no brainer that people should do this as part of their marketing mix to go back to where you started your career. What I'm interested in is obviously for a lot of small business owners, for startups, they have limited budgets, they've got limited time. So how do you recommend...

sort of leveraging the benefits of networking when you have a limited budget, when you have limited time. Any top tips around that?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (21:03.53)

Yep, so when you attend a networking session, always, again, this sounds like something really simple, but you'll be surprised at the number of people that don't do it, is connect with them on LinkedIn afterwards. Number big one, not just because you want to connect with them on LinkedIn, but if that person moves on somewhere else, then you're forever connected with them, shall we say. You don't need their email address on how to do it.

And I think maybe just picking and choosing, there's an element, I mean, we don't, we are not, we purposely charge for our visitor tickets and that's because we want to attract a slightly different clientele. And I think startups, including myself, fall into a trap of choosing cheaper ones over

will go to lots, let's say they'll go to five versus maybe one, for example. And again, it kind of stems down to what we said at the very beginning about using your targets to kind of identify the ones that are familiar. Now, if you are a little bit nervous about attending one because you think it is a big investment, which let's face it, it is, then why not get hold of the event organizer? Quite often, they're quite happy to have a chat with you on the phone, explain a little bit more about the people that are attending.

give them bit more confidence on where to go.

Adam (22:32.334)

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Okay, great. And... sorry, please.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (22:33.998)

But Eventbrite is a great way to go and start. And actually on Google Events as well, there's loads. I mean, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to networking. So fill your boots.

Adam (22:49.336)

Fooey voos. And as you say, there's lots out there and that's how I found you guys. Eventbrite is an excellent source of initial identifying opportunities, but then it's testing the ones that work for you and then making a choice that gets you the best return on investment, as you say. One thing that I was attracted to about your groups, which a number of groups do, but...

Lizzie Allen Phillips (23:00.078)

Mmm.

Adam (23:13.326)

I'm interested in your view because you really specialize in the face-to-face and the events and the social side of your groups are second to none, I would say. But you also offer the virtual networking and the online. So how do you sort of see the benefits of online versus face-to-face?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (23:31.916)

Yeah, it's interesting. People say, some people sit in one camp, then one person will sit in another. And it's like anything really. It doesn't mean one's better over the other. It's just, again, down to personal preference. What online networking has done for me is opened up an

enabled us to open up an international online group, which I never, not only not have done, but it wouldn't even have crossed my mind pre-COVID. So there's so many businesses out there that are based in the UK, but travel quite frequently. So that's where that's come from. Or there are businesses outside the UK that really want to work with London businesses and come over here.

maybe every three, four months. And that's really enabled us to facilitate that. There's lots of people that don't want to spend money in coming into London. Let's face it, it is half a day out. So if not more, as well as the additional cost of coming into London as well on the train. So there is that kind of flexibility element.

It's interesting since we've gone more and more into London, people are returning to, I mean it's fantastic to see. But it's good to me, from a business point of view, it's great to be able to offer both from a delicate point of view. It enables people to meet other people from across the country and further afield that they wouldn't have been able to do ordinarily.

Adam (25:17.206)

Yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely. Okay, good insight there. One thing I'd like to just circle back to something we talked about before, which is about people who are not the most comfortable networking. some people call it imposter syndrome or you have a fear that you're not qualified to network. You're not qualified to sell yourself. Are there any kind of exercises or practices that you recommend to help?

those kind of individuals to boost their confidence. You you've been doing this for many years and you've obviously networked with thousands of people. Any kind of tips or tricks for people who are really, you know, have that imposter syndrome or networking fear specifically, that anxiety.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (26:00.202)

Yeah, so again, it kind of goes back to looking to see what might suit them. Interestingly, we did a podcast on networking for introverts recently. So our lovely speaker suggested creating your one minute before you go. I suggested contacting the event organizer before you go to get an understanding.

Adam (26:19.758)

Mm-hmm.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (26:26.38)

And also, quite often, if you let the event organizer know before you go, they will make an extra effort to pair you up with someone. A facilitated event is a definite if you're introverted, because again, we can place you around the table or in a different area to help with the flow of different things. Speed networking is also a great option.

There's loads of different Speed Network events that happen both face to face and online. So if you're a little bit nervous online again would help. Now the advantage of Speed Network is very, very similar to speed dating. But the advantage of it is you've got to practice your one minute because you change partners or connections every, we do ours every four minutes, some are every two minutes. So you're constantly practicing that one minute.

But if you are a little bit shy, that just means that it doesn't matter because you get somebody new in four minutes. So it really doesn't matter. Gives you bit more relaxing.

Adam (27:27.116)

I think for some people, yeah, I was going to say, think for some people that would be a pleasurable thing thinking they're going to get someone new. For others, that would be the antithesis of what they want. That would be horrific, but it comes down to choice, right?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (27:40.494)

Yeah, it does. think it depends what you find tough when it comes to networking. Is it getting out and, for example, are you worried about shaking someone's hand? Is it that you're worried about being... I mean, even I find it personally quite tough if you go into a large room of people and there's a tiny little group...

in the little corner you shuffle over going, how on earth am I going to introduce myself into this group where all the backs are turned to me? One of the tips for that is to gently touch somebody on the outside of their elbow, because apparently it's a comforting, non-aggressive position, which would mean somebody would turn around and say, just say hi, can I join you? I'm Lizzie.

Adam (28:23.576)

Okay.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (28:35.886)

Well, you know, obviously it would be called something else, but...

Adam (28:42.038)

I'd get a different reaction if I said, hi, I'm Lizzie, but yeah.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (28:45.838)

Yeah. But yeah, think, I don't know, it's a tough one because I do feel for people that do it. I'm very, very lucky that, I mean, it's the same, I'm sure, with your clients that you're very familiar with numbers, but that might be somebody else's nightmare. it's whatever we are comfortable in, in business, realistically.

Adam (29:08.651)

Exactly.

Adam (29:13.699)

Exactly right. That's a great tip. I'll remember that one. The outside of the elbow. That's brilliant.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (29:16.846)

You do find that people congregate around the tea and coffee area. So in all else fails, tea and coffee area, you can mention, again, it goes down to very British thing. Have you been on your holidays? Kind of hairdresser chat is what I class it as. Have you been on your holidays? Are you looking forward to Christmas? How did you get here? Do you do any more regular networking? Have you been before?

Adam (29:23.277)

Yes.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (29:46.048)

Again, maybe have a series of questions before you go in your back pocket.

Adam (29:50.946)

So I've got one for you, is something I really struggled with at the beginning of my networking experience a few years ago, was how do you exit the conversation gracefully without offending everyone that you're talking to?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (30:01.55)

Yeah. So you can, yeah, I'm laughing at them because I had this last week. I tell you. So you will find that every week, I think with any form of networking situation, you've got to think that everybody's there for the same reason, right? They're there to get business. So.

The thing can say is, look, it's really lovely to meet you and I would love to connect with you on LinkedIn, but I would like to see you too. I'm here to meet some other people and I've noticed there's somebody on the list here that I would like to speak to. Or if you want, can kind of take them with you is another option. You can say, look, there's some other people over there. I'm thinking about joining them. Would you like to come with me?

Or, so going back to the story last week, is being a little bit more blunt. So you're given the more versed option of, I'm going to go and meet some other people. When that doesn't work, had to, everybody was networking so much and were building a property event last week, that in the end I had to say, I'm really sorry, but I've got to go on the school run.

So I did give you 15 minutes warning, isn't it? I'm gonna have to usher you into the next room, I'm afraid. And if you're open and honest with people, I find quite often that they're quite happy with that. think quite often we build it up in our mind a lot worse than the actual.

Adam (31:43.35)

Yeah, I think that's exactly right. The more you do it, the more comfortable you get and the more natural it becomes, right?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (31:48.224)

Yeah, yeah, I think so. think a couple of top tips I would use to make yourself feel more comfortable at an event itself for women is take, wear the right shoes. What I mean by that is feel comfortable in them. There's nothing worse than not feeling comfortable. Have the right handbag with you. Now, if it's an evening or morning event, you're generally going to have a drink in your hand.

Men do not have this problem, generally, if they have a handbag. So it's about having the right handbag on the right side, if that makes sense, because what you tend to do is have a drink in one hand and shake with the other. So it's about having the right thing. For gentlemen, it's about having a pocket in which they can put their business cards in. Again, because you have a drink in one hand, shake with the other, then don't know what to do with where to put your business card.

Adam (32:30.424)

Mm-hmm.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (32:46.382)

And I know that sounds really random, but that is how it happens.

Adam (32:52.11)

It's the practical things, isn't it? It's like, those are very good tips, very good tips. never, the business card thing, or if you're doing it digitally with your phone and LinkedIn, just having enough hands, completely get that, completely get that.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (32:54.318)

Yeah.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (33:06.498)

There's really good, I mean I use it, don't know, it's probably a better preferable for women, but you can now get these phone covers that have a cord on them. And they look a bit geeky, but they're brilliant at a networking thing because you sling it over your shoulder or over your thing and then your hand's free. So yeah, it's an option.

Adam (33:34.478)

Yeah, no, I like it. I like it. I'm gonna give that a go. Brilliant. Okay, well, I'm gonna sort of shift gears slightly and move on to what we call our business book bonus section. And this is where we ask our guests to provide us with a recommendation for the audience of a business book or some other business content that's helped you during your business career and that you would want to recommend to the audience. So Lizzie, what business book or other content would you like to recommend?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (33:37.55)

you

Lizzie Allen Phillips (33:46.734)

you

Lizzie Allen Phillips (33:57.454)

Mmm.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (34:02.318)

So I've got two for you because I'm, you know, always like to give a positive two. So one on networking is by a good colleague and friend that I met through networking. He connected with me on LinkedIn. It's by Joseph Luckett and it's zero to 100. He's based in the US in a very tiny town in America. And he has

gone around America trying to find and contacted various different continents to find out how they network in different countries and different areas. And I find that absolutely fascinating. There we go. So that's a really good one. And he's got some really good tips in there as well. And the other one is the one that I am just about to finish. And that is Sarah Davies, who is from Draconstan.

That's just his personal preference really, Adam. And we can all make it. And her journey and story is absolutely mind blowing to me. It's all down to sheer hard work with her. I think with business, when things don't go right, we think, it's just bad luck. And there is an element of that, but her tenacity on it.

She started a business when she was 19, still at university. And she was turning over quite a significant sum, even at 20, and doing a university degree at the same time. She's absolutely, it's just a really interesting read.

Adam (35:46.35)

She's a very impressive lady. I do like her and I like the way that she's now sort of broadening out what she does. So she's presenting, she's on Dragon's Den, she's still got successful business career. She's a very, very impressive lady. So great recommendation.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (35:58.094)

I think she hides a light under a bushel though, slightly after reading this book. It's very, very clever. Very, very clever.

Adam (36:06.998)

Yeah, absolutely. Excellent. Well, great recommendations. Joseph Luckett, Sarah Davis, we'll put links to those in the show notes. Thank you very much, Lizzie. you know, in terms of, is there anything that we haven't covered that you would like to say before we wrap up or where can people find you if not?

Lizzie Allen Phillips (36:25.002)

Hmm, sure. So I think somebody said this to me probably about 10 years ago and it's really good way of looking at networking. know, networking, doesn't matter where you go and do it. And in fact, I advocate for going to try a few, but the main aim of the goal is to just pick what? Pick something and do it. Don't avoid it. There we go.

If you would like to get in touch with me, I'm Lizzie Allen Phillips on LinkedIn, going back to the LinkedIn guys. Or you can contact me via our website which is Iwanttonetwork.com.

Adam (37:04.884)

Excellent, very good, Lizzie. Thank you very much and thanks so much for joining me today on the Fractional CFO show. I really appreciate your insight, your perspective and your time. Thank you.

Lizzie Allen Phillips (37:15.288)

You're welcome. Thanks very much, Ethan.