Access to Anyone

When David Gardner moved to Chicago about six years ago, he was a stranger to the city and had few connections. What’s more, his digital tech agency ColorJar was just beginning to take shape. Thanks to his genuine passion for meeting new people and sharing new ideas, David built and cultivated a fruitful network that launched his company in a big way. In today’s episode, he discusses why focusing on the success of others will lead to meaningful and mutually valuable relationships.

Topics include:

How to avoid networking “pick up lines.”

Uncovering the needs of others to make helpful connections.

Why having an outsider’s perspective makes ColorJar an industry standout.

How to maintain relationships through a thriving business.

David Gardner is the Founder & CEO of ColorJar, a creative tech agency that has worked with everyone from Fortune500 corporations, to venture-funded startups, and growing private businesses. ColorJar specializes in brand positioning strategy and creating custom websites and mobile apps, and has offices in Chicago, IL and Grand Rapids, MI.

In 2014 David was honored at the United Nations by Empact as an Under 35 Entrepreneur of The Year. In 2011, David received the Empact100 award at the White House as one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs Under 30 in the United States. He has spoken at places such as Google, IBM, Notre Dame, and the United Nations. He is on the advisory board for WeDeliver and a mentor at TechStars, Impact Engine, and Startup Institute. He has also written two videos for the comedy website Funny Or Die.

Learn more about David Gardner:

colorjar.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

In last week’s episode, co-host Michael Schein discussed his unique approach to selling, and today we have the man who gave him the know-how. According to Sales Evolution CEO Scott Messer, the best salespeople have what he calls “guess free conversations.” Over the course of this conversation, Scott challenges the hosts and audience to face their fears, forget about antiquated techniques and formulas, and focus their efforts on making a true emotional connection.

Topics include:

The most irresistible question in sales.

Why the most challenging sales relationship is the one you have with yourself.

A fresh approach to referrals (and how to use it).

The surprising importance of transparency.

Scott Messer’s career as a business development professional and serial entrepreneur spans over 25 years. Scott brings to Sales Evolution a blend of leadership, management and communications skills, and a diverse background of experience in firms ranging from large, established companies to early stage ventures. He has built strategic alliances, co-founded start-ups, overseen two mergers and acquisitions, and built new business units.

Before starting Sales Evolution, LLC, Scott held sales management and executive positions at Union Carbide, American Chemsol Corporation, Griff Machine Products Company, Ultimate Software Group, Data Flow Information Systems, Compuware Corporation and Growth Dynamics. Scott helped these firms launch new products and services, establish sales territories, and raise capital.

Learn more about Scott Messer:

salesevolution.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Let’s face it, some of us need help with our sales game. Because we have unlimited access to information nowadays, the hard sales approach is not only ineffective, it is commonly viewed as distasteful.

In order to master a modern-day method, you have to abandon what you believe about selling, and harness the allure of an unlikely source – Dracula. Like the vampire, making a sale is all about finding a compelling way to invite people in without an actual pitch.

On today’s episode, Michael Roderick interviews co-host Michael Schein on his Dracula-inspired technique for selling, and why demonstrating your skills on a variety of platforms, solving a problem that few can solve, and mastering your micro-niche will make the sales come to you.

Topics include:

Why you need to focus on the pipeline and not the result.

The importance of qualification (and how to approach it).

How to broach the delicate topic of money.

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Early on in her career as a young technology entrepreneur, Scarlett Sieber figured out she could gain an edge over her more seasoned competitors by using social media to build an extensive network with of high-profile power players . Scarlett now has a following of over twenty thousand people, is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post and Forbes, and is an inspiration (and advocate) for women in the tech community.

Today she discusses why social media is the ultimate tool for gaining access to anyone, how to use it, and why having a diverse network is the best way to create opportunities and to meet influential people.

Scarlett tells us…

How to do social differently than everyone else

Why building a diverse web of connections is a must

How women can overcome the male/female power dynamic in their networking

The importance of “curating content” (and how to do it)

Scarlett Sieber is the SVP of Open Innovation and Ecosystem Building at BBVA, a large international bank operating in over 30 countries. She is also the U.S. lead for BBVA's millennial initiative. Prior to BBVA, she was an advisor and co-founder of Infomous, an innovative, data visualization tech startup. Scarlett was named one of the "Top 50 most influential in Fintech" by Onalytica, one of the "Top 10 most followed Fintech Persons on Twitter" by Fintech Info, and selected by Innotribe/SWIFT as "Power Woman in Fintech."

Learn more about Scarlett Sieber:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Huffington Post

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

When meeting anybody for the first time, we always assume there is a one-sided evaluation taking place. We’re meeting this connection, they’re checking us out, deciding our worth, and as a result we become intimidated or meek, and then we undervalue or limit ourselves.

So how do we get over this? This is when the concept of mutual evaluation comes into play, and by understanding and embracing this concept, you’ll be able to tackle any interaction with less apprehension and more self-confidence.

On today’s episode, our hosts define the concept of mutual evaluation, and discuss why it affects how you conduct yourself with others, putting yourself out there, and building new relationships.

Topics include:

How to obtain the mindset needed to connect with people of all levels.

Why you need to define who you are before putting yourself out there.

Valuable strategies to ensure you always have networking opportunities.

The power of proactivity.

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Michelle Mazur is changing the world one public speaking engagement at a time. As a celebrated speech coach and communications guru, Michelle helps her clients stand out by focusing on that essential human connection between speaker and audience. Today she discusses what it takes to master the art of public speaking, and why embracing the human element of speech will foster connections and build ironclad relationships.

Topics include:

The importance of aligning your speech with your online content.

Why cultivating your network is the key to connecting with top-level players.

Expert tips on mastering public speaking.

How to showcase your zone of genius.

Michelle Mazur, Ph.D. delivers audacious breakthroughs for speakers who want to stand out, be the best in their field, and position themselves in a category of one. She is the CEO of Communication Rebel, and author of Speak Up For Your Business. Her writing has appeared in Fast Company, PR Daily, the SlideShare Blog, Business2Community, and She Owns It. She lives in Seattle, WA with her adoring soon-to-be husband, two obsessive felines, and a huge collection of Duran Duran memorabilia.

Learn more about Michelle Mazur:

drmichellemazur.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

You’ve succeeded in building relationships and broadening your network. Now the time has come to stop courting your connections and get down to the nitty-gritty.

It’s time to ask for what you want.

Truth is, most of us lack the proper framework to ask for what we need in a way that will get us game-changing resources without alienating valuable connections in the process.

In this episode, Michael Schein interviews co-host Michael Roderick (the mastermind behind the art of the ask) on how to lay the groundwork for a successful ask, the science behind the art, and how we can use our inherent love of problem solving to get us what we want.

Topics include:

The surprising psychological and biological principles behind asking.

How to indirectly ask your connections for what you want.

The DIME concept.

How to tailor and refine your language for every kind of ask.

Frameworks versus formulas.

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Storytelling is having a moment right now. Everyone in the business world seems to be talking about it, even though no one seems quite sure what it really means.

Gary Forman is here to help us solve the mystery.

Armed with an impressive background in speechwriting and marketing, Gary helps companies formulate their core narratives and brings their stories to life. It is a skill set that has affects whether sales get made, deals get done, ventures get funded…and whether access is gained to those who can make bring your most desirable realities to life.

Topics include:

Why the right narrative has the power to connect you to anyone.

Why businesses fail to tell engaging and effective stories.

How to master your message in any environment.

Why natural curiosity is the driving force behind making connections.

Gary Forman is a speechwriter, strategist and creative director who helps clients develop and execute compelling communications. As an executive, he was the Head of Product Marketing at Magento and a Director of Commerce Innovation at eBay. As founder of Gary Forman Creative, LLC, his experiential marketing combine storytelling and stagecraft to create innovative and memorable live experiences that engage hearts and minds. Gary works with CEOs, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and marketing and sales leaders who want to maximize their impact.

Learn more about Gary Forman:

garyforman.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

In previous episodes, we’ve uncovered invaluable concepts and philosophies on making connections and building significant relationships. But like any abstract idea, it can be difficult to envision how these concepts actually play out in the real world.

Today, we’re energizing the conversation by sharing stories that prompted some of the most rewarding connections of our careers. We ask ourselves, how did these concepts come into play? Why were they effective, and more importantly, how can we make them work for you?

Topics include:

How little known facts can foster big connections.

Building relationships without ulterior motives.

Why you need to get curious, get interested, and get geeky.

Valuable lessons about making connections from David Bowie and The Dead Milkmen.

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Although his journey to becoming a top podcaster was almost entirely accidental, Srinivas Rao leveraged his talent for being insanely interested in people to become one of the true innovators of this rapidly exploding medium. As the host of Unmistakable Creative regularly showcases the world’s most creative people, getting them to reveal some of their most powerful and compelling stories about how them got to where they are and became who they are. In today’s episode, we get Srinivas to open up about how you can use peoples’ fascination with genuine experiences to form relationships with connecting influential people.

Topics include:

Why becoming attached to the process rather than the outcome will result in fewer disappointments.

How to initiate content trends rather than simply following them.

A one-of-a-kind approach to building ironclad relationships.

Depth versus reach: which one is more impactful?

Surfing the waves vs. surfing the web.

Srinivas Rao is CEO of Unmistakable Media and the host of the Unmistakable Creative podcast, which began as BlogcastFM in 2010. He has interviewed over 400 creative entrepreneurs and insanely interesting people. His guests have included ex-cons, happiness researchers, world famous cartoonists and entrepreneur, to name a few. Scott Adams, Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss, Shawn Achor and Danielle Laporte are just a few of the people Srinivas has counted as guests and now counts as friends.

Srinivas is also the creator of an annual TED-like conference called The Instigator Experience, where he brings together his best podcast guests for a 2-day live event. In 2013, his self published The Art of Being Unmistakable became a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Bestseller.

Learn more about Srinivas Rao:

Unmistakable Creative

LinkedIn

The Compass

Instigator Experience

Learn more about Michael Schein:

microfamemedia.com

LinkedIn

Twitter

Learn more about Michael Roderick:

smallpondenterprises.com

LinkedIn

Twitter