Branch Out - A Podcast from Connection Builders

Our guest today is Grant Marcks, the principal and head of business development for Atlantic Street Capital, here to discuss the idea of your relationship equity and keeping it in the black as well as having a data-driven process while remaining authentic in your networking and business development efforts. Grant talks about paying it forward in a real way, showing that you have taken genuine interest and are committed to the follow-through rather than simply repeating the words you think people want to hear. What is particularly challenging is finding the balance between growing the size and scale of your network while remaining authentic and coming at each relationship from a personal perspective. But Grant assures listeners that they cannot go wrong with authenticity and transparency. He shares how his outreach approach has evolved over the years, how he keeps connected with people further afield, and the role of data in helping you to relate to people in a personal manner. We also get into the difference between activity and productivity, the value of simply chasing down the numbers, and why you should never presume to know where your next deal is coming from. 

 

Key Points From This Episode:

• The importance of finding ways to create real connections with people. 
• What it means to pay it forward authentically instead of just saying things by the book.
• Follow-through and genuine interest: two things that distinguish those who really want to help.  
• The balance between building out the size of your network while remaining authentic. 
• How Grant’s outreach approach has evolved since he started at Atlantic Street Capital. 
• Advice for getting in front of and staying engaged with “second-degree” connections. 
• Examples of how data and CRM can help you to approach people on a more personal level. 
• Grant’s stance on the best communication mediums from a relationship-building perspective. 
• Keeping focused on deals amid the stunted market presented by the COVID-19 crisis.
• The importance of authenticity and honestly when it comes to relationships and deals. 
• Differentiating between activity and productivity and building purpose-built relationships.
• Never taking people for granted and presume to know where your next deal is coming from. 
• Making your mark through authentic relationships that become assets to your network. 

Grant Marcks LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

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Tom Boniface is the Vice President of Business Development at Hilco Global and someone who lives out the practices of intentionality, awareness, and a positive mental attitude in his daily life and career. We chat with Tom today about what these concepts mean to him and how he approaches them in a purposeful and specific manner each day. Tom is a firm believer in focussing on the smaller, controllable things in one's life, arguing that when we do what is in front of us, we can affect greater change and broader achievements over time. We chat about the idea of the 'R' factor and how reactions to the hurdles we encounter are such a big part of how things pan out. The conversation also covers the processes that allow intentionality and reflection; for Tom, drilling down and organizing his activities makes all the difference. From there, we get into the all-important aspects of reflection, self-awareness, and identifying weaknesses, key components to improvement for any professional. The last part of today's episode is spent on the topic of networking and how to navigate social and business events in the best possible way. This means aligning to your own, individual strengths and playing to those as much as possible in order to avoid exhaustion. Listeners can expect to learn a great deal about Tom's attitude and hear some really inspiring ideas for implementing these notions

Key Points From This Episode:

• The power of intentionality and purpose and how this applies to goal setting for Tom.  
• Small steps and reactions on a daily basis on the way to achieving important milestones. 
• Examples of Tom's reactions to common scenarios that arise in his work. 
• Processes and preparedness; making the most of the opportunities leading up to a goal. 
• The small, controllable variables that can determine the results of bigger things. 
• The conditions for effective reflection and how it can play a big part in your growth. 
• How Tom has identified weaknesses in himself and the time it took to address these. 
• The levels to growth and the inspiration Tom has taken from mentors and heroes.
• Tom's struggles with balance and following what feels healthy for you    
• Networking events and working within your strengths to avoid overwhelm. 
• It all comes down to integration and prioritization — making the most of each day.
• Tom's advice for embracing life's challenges!

Tom Boniface LinkedIn
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

Have thoughts or comments? We want to hear from you. [email protected]

Welcome to the Branch Out Podcast, where we focus on the vital professional skills of building connections and networking! Joining us for our first episode is Gary Lewis, founder and managing partner at Aquila Equity Partners in Detroit. We are so excited to share this great conversation with all of our new listeners, as Gary unpacks the foundational nature of this part of his work and why it should not be an occasional pursuit, but rather a daily attitude and exercise. We also get into how to balance the immediate requirements of work with the long-term strategy of networking and relationship building. For Gary, there is a definite selflessness involved in finding commonality and nurturing a shared interest and the keys he points out specifically are open communication and honest dialogue. Our conversation also covers work-life balance, avoiding burnout, and the need for positivity and fresh energy when dealing with people, so make sure to tune in for this fantastic conversation with a great friend and inspiration!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The core value of networking in building connections.
• Measures that Gary has taken to keep networking central to his work. 
• Lessons that Gary learned from a young age from his father and other good mentors. 
• The focus on people in your company and others; allowing everyone to win! 
• Humility, patience, and balance in your approach to professional life.
• Avoiding burnout and learning the painful lessons that lead to longevity. 
• The shared benefits of healthier practices at work and during downtime.
• What is work-life balance? Finding a comfortable and individual standard for yourself. 
• Networking requires positivity; don't forget to bring that energy to the table!  
• The integral position of networking in daily work and people-based business.
• Constant evolution and honesty in the pursuit of building connections and problem-solving.

Gary Lewis LinkedIn
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

Have thoughts or comments? We want to hear from you. [email protected]