The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 29: Feb/March 2017 | Page 31

Brad Burton
IN PROFILE
Brad Burton
Founder , 4Networking
Brad Burton is the founder of 4Networking , the UK ' s largest joined-up national business network with thousands of members and more than 5,000 events every year . 4N as it ' s known , has its headquarters in Taunton .
Brad also has his separate aligned business as the UK ’ s number one motivational business speaker and travels the country inspiring business owners , directors and entrepreneurs . He ’ s been the keynote speaker at events for brands including Bentley , JCB and for the National Health Service .
He ’ s published four best-selling business books , the latest Now What ? was published in November last year and was Amazon ’ s number 1 best seller for sales and marketing a month later . He also runs training programmes for people interested in improving their public speaking and is launching a new service – SpeakerSeeker – providing a one-stop agency for those looking for the best business speakers in the UK .
4Networking- where did the name come from ?
Back in the day when I first started looking at domain names for my company – all the obvious ones were gone .
Given that I wanted to do something different in the small business and networking scene , I took it from the early aim of having four networking meetings going on every week . Also putting a number ‘ 4 ’ in front of networking meant it worked for our online profile . Simple .
What did you do before 4N ?
I was head of marketing for a large security company in Canary Wharf in London which looked after security for names such as the Bank of America . I was commuting from Somerset to the city every day , in the end I told them to shove their job .
How did 4N come about ?
I saw a gap in the market for a business networking organisation for entrepreneurs who could enjoy access to events nationwide – and I ’ d walked out of my job !
The aim was to get away from ‘ stuffy ’ groups where people talk in jargon about business . Most groups at the time were either very ‘ right ’ wing – you must do this and you must do that or you will be punished in some way – or too ‘ left ’ wing , we must meet and chat and have a coffee , dream and do very little .
What is 4N ' s USP ?
You can have the most powerful computer in the world but if it ’ s not connected , it ’ s worthless . Same in business .
People in business have to be connected to thrive . With 4N , members have access to the entire network – they can stay with one group or they can go to many . We also pioneer the ‘ three appointments every time ’ approach – very practical steps to driving your business forward . You make a friendly commitment to meet up and find out more about each other .
Who are your competitors ?
I ’ m not going to call them out specifically . We ’ ve created a niche and other networking organisations are members of 4N . This is the modern world now , collaboration is key .
What have been your recent successes ?
Where to start ? I published my fourth book Now What ? in November last year and a month later it was the number 1 best seller on Amazon in the sales and marketing category for business books , which is amazing .
I ’ m currently in discussion with a TV production company regarding a series involving me and business , so that ’ s very exciting .
Another highlight has been being booked as the keynote speaker for Newcastle Start-Up Week in May .
What are your business values ?
Do what you say you are doing to do – or don ’ t say it . Be a man or woman of your word .
Be You – there ’ s more to business than business . People before business , get the people right and the business will follow .
Biggest achievement ?
To create a business while £ 25,000 in debt , with a newborn child and a wife who wanted me to get a proper job . To still be here against all the odds .
Hardest thing you ' ve learned in business ?
Not everyone has the same values of trust and honesty you do .
Passions outside of work ?
I enjoy going to the gym . I ’ m also a closet geek – I avidly play PS4 and retro games .
Something we wouldn ' t know about you ?
I took part in ten episodes of Channel 4 ’ s programme Games Master and there is footage of me on somewhere on YouTube working with the then PJ & Duncan ( now Ant & Dec ).
Who ' s the most famous person you ' ve met ?
Good question . The amusing answer is I once got stuck in a lift with the former World ’ s Strongest Man Geoff Capes .
We both got in to a life at the Marriott in Bristol and the lift wouldn ’ t move . Nothing would make it move . I got out and the doors shut and the lift doors closed .
Next edition we interview :
Mark Miles Managing Director Rendermedia
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017 31