Thursday, February 23, 2012
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Networking & Sports (Roger McKerlie)

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Roger McKerlie
Tel: +44 (0) 7703 344 139
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www.sportbusinessnetwork.com

About Roger McKerlie

Roger McKerlie began his career in sales for Reed Business Publishing, a division of what is now Reed Elsevier, and progressed through various management roles before being headhunted to run a division of Riley Advertising in London.

As MD of an advertising agency at the age of 29, he had a lot to learn and learn he did – primarily that he would be better off running his own agency!

In May 1997, he set up Highpoint Advertising a specialist recruitment advertising business and this was soon joined by a retail and sport/leisure marketing agency called Rise Marketing. With clients such as the RFU, the Lawn Tennis Association and JD Wetherspoon, Roger was working in two of his favourite sectors.

In 2005, after 8 successful years, Roger sold out to his business partner and decided to take a break from the pressures of London and running a business with over 40 staff. He then set up RTM Group in Kent, a business which enabled him to develop different brands.

One of these was a marketing consultancy for SME's and the other a sports marketing consultancy which focused exclusively on the grassroots and community market. This triggered a run of uninterrupted growth for his business which has seen him work with clients like P&O Ferries, Betfair and Muller Dairies as well as dozens of substantial SMEs, sports clubs and public sector bodies.

RTM Sports Marketing has become synonymous with sports marketing in the grassroots and community sectors and has led to his latest business being created.

The Sport Business Network is a business networking organisation that uses sport to connect its business and sporting members in a way that no other networking group has done before. Sport is at the heart of the network but doing business together is what drives it. With groups in Kent, Sussex and now London, the SBN is on a huge growth curve and is receiving rave reviews. As Roger says:

"The SBN is a unique networking and partnership creation group for successful, ambitious and busy organisations. We create outstanding business relationships for our members by using their enjoyment of sport as a common bond.

Our members comprise businesses from multiple sectors, public and third sector organisations and elite sports stars. They all share our belief that society will be safer, healthier, more inclusive and successful by getting more young people off sofas and street corners and onto sports parks of some description. We actively support sports organisations which do this.

But the SBN is a focused commercial organisation too and we know our members want to make longstanding contacts and partnerships so we employ what we call 'managed networking' strategies to ensure they achieve this. Every member gets and account manager and it is this person's job to make highly effective contacts for them saving time, money and effort."

Listen to interview (21 mins)

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    Roger McKerlie has brilliantly combined the worlds of networking and sport to create a hugely successful national network. Listen to this exemplary networking practitioner and discover:

    • That great networkers are not born but made, if they develop the right skills.
    • The starting point of great networking - an open mind.
    • Why many people fail to overcome the first networking hurdle and close down doors in the early stages.
    • The danger of mentally switching off early in a networking conversation.
    • Why networking is not a sales channel but a way to create advocates over time.
    • Why advertising is the biggest and best way to build a brand.
    • Why networking is the biggest and best way to build a network!
    • The two main reasons people should join and participate in a network - contacts and market intelligence.
    • The power of a niche in building a network.
    • How the recession has actually helped him build the network.
    • Why the offline, face to face, social element is a vital part of building a network.
    • Roger's plans to be a global business, particularly with the London Olympics 2012.
    • Why, if there isn't a network that caters to your interests, you should start your own network.
    • The role technology has in building networks and relationships.
    • That networking is essentially creating effective business relationships (and not just the physical attendance of events)
    • The two reasons why many people don't get the most from their networking.
    • How networking has become more sophisticated over the years, and is now a viable business development channel.
    • Roger's views on what will happen in the world of networking over the next five years.
    • How networking parallels our social lives in who you get along with and who you don't.
    • The importance of the follow up and keeping in touch with your networking - the power of nurturing your network.
    • Tips on measuring the ROI from your networking.
    • The big benefits networking has over traditional means of marketing.
    • The power of marketplace intelligence in giving you a competitive edge.
    • How Roger, the Master Networker, keeps in touch and connects his contacts.
    • Why the larger organisations are actually harder to engage in networking.
    • The system of managed networking in adding value to your networking group or organisation.
    • The most important trait of a successful networker.
    • Why patience and long term thinking with your networking will bring you ultimate success.
    • Why you must treat business cards and contacts like financial assets.
    If you're thinking of starting a network, or looking for an edge to take your networking to a whole new level, this interview with Roger is packed with practical advice and real-life insights from one of the world's top networkers!