...and death came third! [Kindle Edition]

"A must-read for anyone who wants to get on in business." --Lord Digby Jones, former Director-General of the CBIand Minister of State for Trade

"Powerful, practical advice on both cultivating great networking relationships and speaking with confidence: two skills of vital importance to today's successful business person." --Bob Burg, author, 'Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts Into Sales'

"Anyone who's ever wanted to be able to network confidently can benefit from the down-to-earth knowledge in this book." --Mike Southon, co-author, 'The Beermat Entrepreneur' and Financial Times columnist

"What a marvellous mother lode of insight and practical wisdom on networking and speaking! The tools, tips and techniques are so clear, so compelling and so doable that you feel enlightened, affirmed, empowered and resolved." --Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author, `The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' and `The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness''

"The one book on networking and presenting I'd have if I could have just one. Excellent!" --Thomas Power, Chairman of Ecademy and co-author, `Networking for Life' and `A Friend in Every City'

The one book on networking and presenting I'd have if I could have
just one. Excellent!

I've placed an order for every one of my team.

Anyone who's ever wanted to be able to network confidently can
benefit from the down-to-earth knowledge in this book.

Those of you that want to make something quickly from your life
and career should consider this book.

...and death came third! The definitive guide to networking and speaking in public. Do you dread going to networking events? Do you hide at the back of the room when you have the opportunity to present your business? In 1984 a New York Times Survey on Social Anxiety placed death third in the list of people's biggest fears. The top two responses were walking into a room full of strangers and speaking in public. Facing these two fears head on, '...and death came third!' rocketed straight to Number Two on the Amazon UK bestseller lists on publication of its First Edition in 2006. Since then thousands of people have turned to its pages to help them network and present with much more confidence. In this updated second edition you can discover how to: Walk into a networking event and approach people with CONFIDENCE, STRUCTURE a talk so that you can get your key message across POWERFULLY, ENGAGE people in conversation and get them interested in YOU, FOCUS on the results you want from networking and achieve them EASILY, STAND and speak with CONVICTION and AUTHORITY and much, much more...Brought to you by Andy Lopata, Business Networking Strategist and Peter Roper, The Natural Presenter.

In 1984 a New York Times Survey on Social Anxiety placed death
third in the list of people's biggest fears. The top two responses were
walking into a room full of strangers and speaking in public.

In '...and Death Came Third!', Andy Lopata and Peter Roper share their
wealth of experience and insider secrets on networking and public speaking,
giving you the tips, tools and techniques you need to overcome your fears
and make the most of all the opportunities that come your way.

This book has been nearly two years in the writing as we have
developed our ideas through many `...and death came third!' joint
presentations, discussions and the gathering of more and more experiences
for us to share with you.

We have learnt through our experience as Speakers that people love to hear
stories and this book is full of them thanks to the many members of the
Professional Speakers Association, BRE, Ecademy and our other networking
contacts who have allowed us to use their stories to illustrate the many
points made in the book.

Please get in touch if you have any questions, comments or suggestions -
thanks to our networks - you'll have no trouble finding us!

Labelled Mr Network by The Sun, The Financial Times called Andy Lopata one of Europe's leading business networking strategists.The co-author of two books on networking, Andy is a regular columnist for the US magazine The National Networker, as well as being quoted in national press, including The Sunday Times and The Guardian. Andy's third book is being published by FT Prentice Hall in September 2011. For eight years, Andy was Managing Director of Business Referral Exchange, one of the UK's leading referral-focused network-ing organisations. Andy is a former vice-president of the Professional Speakers Association. www.lopata.co.uk A Fellow and Past President of the Professional Speaking Association, Peter is claimed by many to be the UK's leading expert in Natural Presentation. He has presented to well over 400,000 people internationally and for a wealth of different organisations. Peter specialises in working with both individuals and organisa-tions to enhance and enrich business development skills.Peter had a very successful corporate career with organisations such as Lombard North Central and Arval PHH. After being awarded Sales Executive of the year for a consecutive 6 years he went on to become the youngest ever Divisional Director of PHH reporting to the European Board. Peter created a strategic Division with a turnover in excess of GBP38 Million, employing over 200 people and winning numerous national awards. From 1996, Peter went on to establish four new businesses of his own; two of which he says have been fantastic failures - and fortunately two others which have been stunning successes! During his career he has learned the power of essential business development, networking and presentation skills, which apply to any career-path.Based in rural Shropshire, Peter is the Honorary Chairman of the family business Positive Ground Ltd. www.positiveground.co.uk

FOREWORD

The need for `networking' or `presentation skills' did not enter my mind
when I first started on my career path. Back then in the 80s they were not
even considered to be key skills.

Instinctively, I have always focused on making my mark, building
connections and getting the message across to my listeners no matter how
complex or challenging the issue.

But it is only when I look back at the years I spent in huge corporations
like Ernst & Young, Lloyds TSB and AXA Insurance, that I can begin to
recognise just how important these skills truly are. In short, they were
responsible for my success. As you begin to achieve greater responsibility
in a business environment, the need to be able to connect with others
around you and to be able to present your information in a coherent and
appealing way increases. You start to be asked to represent your company at
meetings attended only by strangers and are expected to create rapport and
make alliances. From time to time, as you continue to progress, you have to
stand-up in front of a group or a conference and present your ideas. In
all, the higher you climb the more your success depends on your ability to
communicate effectively.

In business we all get faced with these situations - sometimes all at once!
It took me many years of trial and error before I could claim to be an
effective presenter and networker.

I am delighted to find that two experts in their fields have joined forces
to provide the definitive `handbook' to help those people who still `shake
in their boots' at the thought of opening their mouths in the company of
strangers. Andy Lopata and Peter Roper are the experts from whom we should
learn.

Both are experienced and accomplished presenters and networkers and are
both active in a number of business networks. In addition they are in
demand as keynote speakers and present their topics at forums, workshops
and conferences on a regular basis. In `...and death came third!', their
knowledge and experience leaps off the page as they approach these two
important subjects in a straightforward and accessible way, giving
practical tips, expert guidance and easy-to-use tools.

This is the equivalent of a `leg up' on the corporate ladder.

I'm sure that the information contained in these pages will be invaluable
in building your business success and your reputation. I only wish that
there had been something like this at the beginning of my career!

Peter Hubbard

Chief Executive, AXA Insurance