Brad Burton is the founder of 4 Networking, 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 entprepreneurs. 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.
Why Somerset?
I didn’t like getting shot at in Manchester – but that’s a whole other story! It was a great place to be unemployed when I first came here, Weston Super Mare to be exact. It’s now my home, it’s a beautiful, vibrant county and I work and live in wonderful surroundings.
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.
Are you involved in the local community?
I’m proud to say I became an Ambassador for Somerset last year thanks to Visit Somerset. I represented business at the launch at the Houses of Parliament and I attend and have presented at their annual general meeting. My aim is to help encourage commerce within the county and beyond.
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.
To find out more about 4Networking visit: www.4networking.biz
