It was a Sunday evening when I made my way, beverage in tow, to my favourite chair. The occasion was to witness the televised UK Darts final. Like other ill-informed fans, I was anticipating a walk-over. The world’s current best player, Michael Van Gerwen expected to be too good for Andrew Gilding.

Again, I hear you say: “what does he know!”

What transpired of course was a reverse result as Andrew Gilding (world ranked 42,) won 11 games to 10. It was a real surprise. After all, Andrew Gilding himself had hardly figured ‘on the circuit’ in recent years.

Prior his tournament win … the 52 year-old Englishman remarked he had ‘all but given up hope of being successful.’ He thought his opportunity to be a winner had passed. 

When asked what he credited to the dramatic change in fortune he said simply … ‘I’ve been lazy.’

‘For years I’d set practice aside, until I was lucky when an offer came of a start in the UK Darts Open. It was then I ‘knuckled down’ and began to work on my game. Even so, it was beyond my wildest dreams that I’d end up winning the title!’

Andrew Gilding’s story is one that transcends the game of Darts. With every new attendee to The Weeklybiz network there’s an assumption of success. It’s natural of course, bringing your skills to a room of like-minded business colleagues and declaring the virtues of working alongside each other, we expect results to come our way … after all, we’ve turned up! Not everyone is successful.

Not every new business has the vision for the long-haul. I’ve met many who visit the Weeklybiz to see what they can achieve in the shortest time possible. When I explain that ‘not everyone is – in the market for their kind of business – all of the time’ and that the best kind of referral comes through great understanding and trust … some don’t ‘get it.’ We don’t see them again.

Results take time. As in any business, we revise our presentation skills, our offer, to meet the needs of the market.  

On his ‘big day’ Andrew Gilding had faith in his skills, he worked on his game, practiced regularly and won the prize … and now … Andrew believes that he ‘can win everything.’

Networking is about spending the time building your reputation.

Reliable = referable.