speaker
Charlie Lawson
Charlie Lawson – The Unnatural Networker. Networking and relationship-building speaker and trainer, especially for people who don’t like to network.
Charlie is a very Unnatural Networker.
Most networking speakers believe it is easy to talk to strangers. Charlie helps other Unnatural Networkers gain confidence by putting networking across from the point of view of someone who’d rather avoid it completely.
His first book, The Unnatural Networker, was released in 2014, and has helped countless business owners learn how to network effectively. His second book, The Unnatural Promoter, was released in 2021, and focuses on helping people that don't like to blow their own trumpet to be brilliant at self-promotion.
Charlie is a renowned and highly regarded keynote speaker, and gained his expertise from 13 years as national director for BNI in the UK & Ireland. He now trains other unnatural networkers, particularly those in the professional services sector, to achieve success from networking.
Expertise
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Previous Speaking Experiences
10 Apr 2024
Event Name: Accountex
Topic: The Unnatural Networker
Video or Audio Samples
Testimonials
Matthew Barrett, Solicitor, Notary Public & Mediator
Charlie presented a workshop to our team here at Barretts. He was engaging, thought provoking and always happy to interact with his audience as we went through. Everyone left with something to take away to work on / remember for their next networking event. Very impressive, thanks Charlie!
Event: Barretts
Topic: Workshop
Maddie Platt
I asked Charlie to host a webinar for our clients on networking for lawyers, including top tips for networking for introverts. We had a huge turnout for the session, and it has been one of our most popular sessions to date.
Charlie is a fantastic speaker and presenter, not only was the advice given excellent and very practical, but Charlie is great at getting the audience to engage, even us reluctant introverts!
Charlie's session received lots of excellent feedback with people saying "I can't wait to go out networking to try these tips" and "I feel much more confident going to a networking event thanks to Charlie
Event: Conscious Solutions
Topic: Workshop
Alice Stephenson, Plume Law
Charlie hosted a masterclass on networking for my Lawscape community and it was BRILLIANT! Even though I've been networking for years, I gained so many insights from the session, and I know others did too. Highly recommended!
Event: Masterclass
Topic: Networking
Sam Newman
Many people find networking difficult - but most of us in business have to do it at some point. Especially those of us who run our own businesses, selling ourselves.
I asked Charlie to run a f2f workshop for a group of independent consultants from the Camelot Network. No death-by-powerpoint here! Charlie told stories - who doesn't like a story? He got us sharing ideas and experiences. And he gave us great tips and examples - include demonstrations of how things work!
The feedback from those who attended has been excellent. The timing was great - immediately afterwards, we all went to a major networking event. We had homework, and were busy putting into practice the simple ideas he had shared.
Charlie is a warm, engaging and impactful speaker who can make a real difference in how you engage with others, breaking the social discomfort many of us feel about networking. Give him a try!
Event: F-2-F Workshop - Camelot Network
Topic: Workshop
Robert Moore
I had the pleasure of being introduced to Charlie by a mutual connection. Charlie made an instant impression, and I invited Charlie to speak at one of the events I organise and host in London.
Charlie spoke on the subject of business development and specifically networking. Charlie’s style is both captivating and energetic and he held the audience from his very first sentence. With a wealth of experience and understanding around the topic, Charlie can relate to those starting out in their careers or for those seasoned professionals!
I would have no hesitation in recommending Charlie as a keynote speaker and all-round good guy!
Funny, engaging and professional are just a few words to describe my experience working with him.
Event: Jersey Finance
Topic: Networking
Kate Dilworth
We asked Charlie to deliver a practical workshop to help our network of independent SME owners hone their networking skills. He fulfilled the brief brilliantly; giving them 4 key strategies to build long-term referral relationships from their networking activity. More importantly, he was a lovely guy - a warm and engaging speaker who had researched and therefore knew his audience. He built a great atmosphere in the room and my only regret was that we ran it as a breakout, rather than a full-audience session.
Event: Right at Home
Topic: Workshop - Networking Skills
Steve Judge
Listening to Charlie talk is a lovely experience as he connects with the audience in a very professional and personal way. His insight into networking was wonderful and will make me look and act differently at all future networking events that I attend. Charlie pleasantly took time to talk to various members of the events before, during and after he spoke. As a professional speaker I'd be more than happy to work with Charlie again and to share the stage. I would highly recommend Charlie as an engaging and professional speaker for your future events.
Nigel Toplis
We recently had the good fortune to have Charlie Lawson to speak at our Kall Kwik Conference.
I do not write references unless I am 100% happy to recommend – be it a venue, a product or a person.
In this instance I am.
Charlie was engaging, direct, humorous (without being comic) and delivered the essence of his subject with great clarity.
Our audience interacted; they learnt and most importantly they understood the value of networking to their business.
I would work with Charlie again either using him as a speaker or to run break-out group and workshops.
Event: Kall Kwik Conference
David Hyner
How many talks have you had to endure about networking?
Well Charlie Lawson knocked it out of the ballpark in Stoke yesterday at our conference.
A well constructed, expertly delivered talk on how to use stories and emotion in the modern age of EQ vs IQ. Obviously an expert in his field, and oozed authenticity in wanting us to use what he gave us by way of content. Great stuff !
Heather Townsend, Accountants Growth Club
Charlie is a top-class presenter, trainer and public speaker. He manages to command the stage and energise everyone in his audience with his passionate and engaging style.
Availability and Travel
Happy to speak abroad provided costs are covered on top of my fees. Obviously, I’d prefer local to the other side of the world, but I wouldn’t rule anything out.
