In this interview we’ll be looking at one of the most influential business people we have ever met, Mr Stuart Walton.
Stuart, it is fair to say, lives and breathes business, his uncompromising pursuit of achievement and advancement sweeps you up in his wake leaving little behind. Trust us when we say that you will want to be swept along.
Based in Staffordshire Stuart is the Regional Director of Business for Breakfast , a UK-wide referral networking organisation, where every week members bring in £1000s of business for each other. It leverages the incredible power of networking, but without the unnecessary pressure that forced referrals create.
With that said we’ll hand you over to Stuart as he gives the ins and outs of how he got started and what his aspirations for the future are:
What got you interested in the sector you are in?
‘Business For Breakfast was one of the 4 choices I was given by my MatchPoint consultant when I was looking to buy a franchise. My initial reaction was not totally positive, but after I had my first 1-2-1 with John Fisher, the founder of BforB, I walked away being convinced that this would be the right thing for me. My original business goals were to leverage my standing in the local business community to help local businesses grow on the path to success and BforB is helping me do that.’
Why did you go into business for yourself?
‘I have until the end of 2009 worked for large corporate businesses – Arthur Andersen & co, Rolls-Royce plc, Eurotunnel and Areva’s T&D division finishing off as Finance Director of the UK Systems Unit where we were engaged in large scale projects for clients such as National Grid. Whilst coming to work for Areva and moving to Stafford, I got heavily involved in the Chamber of Commerce and Young Enterprise, and realised that there was less fun to be had by working for big business’ and decided that time was right to make my own way in this world!’
What are the negatives about your sector and how do you differ?
‘The fact is that there is a lot of networking out there and most people fall victim to what John Fisher calls the 10 Myths Of Networking and don’t get the benefit they deserve from their efforts. Partly this is because a lot of networking is classed as Open Networking and does not create the deep relationships most people need to push their businesses forward. BforB is one of the few Referral Marketing formats out there and our aim is to provide the disciplined and rewarding format that businesses need if they are going to make this one of their main sales channels. In addition the advantage of BforB is that the members receive the management attention from having a regional director looking after the system, and here I think I bring my business experience to bear forth good of all. One of the things I have found with BforB is that we have made a real difference to those who have fully embraced the system here in Staffordshire and long may this continue.’
What are your aspirations for the future?
‘Our aim, and the aim of BforB in general, is to be the best referral networking format out there, and it is especially true in Staffordshire. We have the right to open 10 groups in the area, and with 7 groups opened after 18 months, we are looking for the opportunity to open more groups. To do this we are always looking to recruit more local directors to help us do this, and find the right members to provide the quality experience we want for everyone at BforB. In addition I am looking forward to helping BforB expand their brand and activity throughout the rest of the UK. A lot of people think that being a franchisee is limiting, but for the right person in the right franchise, there is a real opportunity to help the whole business grow.’
What are your 3 rules of success?
‘My three rules are as follows:
- Hard work and consistent effort – you don’t get anything handed on a plate and in the end you have to match your ambition with your dedication to succeed.
- Integrity – this is both in the way you deal with people and situation, and your dedication to maintaining the quality of the process, and for BforB this is critical to success.
- Humour – if you can’t have a bit of fun along the way and develop life long friendships and relationships doing this then it is not worth doing.”
From our point of view we have been a member of Business for Breakfast for a few months now and the amount of referrals, help and guidance we have received has been invaluable. I would definitely recommend you Visit Their Website Now and check out how business networking can help and revitalize your business.
This article was written by Kate Hazeldine, the Sales Director at Yellow Circle Web Solutions Limited. Kate has over 15 years experience in retail and marketing. If you would like to speak to Kate about how she can help your website generate more business email her.
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I am humbled
Great interview Stuart and Kate. I think the huge success of the BforB Staffs groups proves you picked the right option Mr Walton!
Great interview and blog post. +1 on Google for me.
Fantastic web site. Plenty of useful information here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks for your effort!