Creative Collaboration: Conversations with Veronica & Jillian

Today Veronica Guguian emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals based on capacity and aligning with clients' needs. She also talks about the importance of slowing down and integrating personal and professional life as an entrepreneur.

Jillian shares her goals for 2024, including learning Dutch, relaunching her newsletter, launching a new podcast, starting a new workshop series, and returning to the public speaking stage after a 10-year hiatus. She also plans to onboard two new partners, acquire six new clients. 

Jillian Vorce discusses her methods for structured and unstructured time management. She sets aside specific times to organize her calendar and gather relevant articles, while also using unstructured time like exercising to generate new ideas. Veronica Guguian emphasizes the importance of building relationships in business development and suggests setting concrete goals for connecting with new people. They consider dedicating an episode to networking tactics if there is interest from listeners. 

They also discuss the need to structure business growth effectively and ask for feedback when clients decline offers.

Both hosts emphasize the value of goal-setting and encourage listeners to set their own goals in a systematic manner.

The episode concludes with discussions about future podcast episodes and their aim to reach 1000 downloads.

Jillian Vorce and Veronica Guguian discuss their objectives, with Jillian suggesting a goal of 1000. They both agree on this number and feel motivated to work towards it. The conversation ends with friendly goodbyes and plans for the next meeting on Tuesday.

Both agreed on the importance of breaking down large goals into smaller, achievable tasks to prevent burnout. They discussed their approaches to time management and scheduling.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Episode 12, Networking Tactics:  https://bit.ly/3uAaPAZ

SPINIdeas.nl - link to SMART goals framework: 

https://www.subscribepage.com/spin-ideas-setting-up-goals-worksheet?ref=spinideas.nl

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

Today Veronica and Jillian talk about conducting year-end reviews, emphasizing the importance of analyzing, improving, and letting go of things to make space for new opportunities. 

They share tips on using frameworks and developing a regular cadence for reviews. Veronica mentions breaking down plans into smaller pieces while Jillian emphasizes the need to identify key performance indicators (KPIs). Their approaches to strategy implementation influence how they approach the review process.

Veronica Guguian discusses the importance of reviewing what worked and what didn't work in a business strategy. She emphasizes the need to focus on both positive and negative aspects for growth.

Jillian Vorce shares her perspective, highlighting the value of constructive criticism and looking at accomplishments rather than unmet goals.

They discuss their personal experiences with reinventing their businesses and taking a step back to evaluate their desires and directions for the future.

They emphasize the importance of reviewing the year, analyzing, improving, and making space for new things.

Veronica encourages taking into account external factors when reviewing performance, such as economic and social environments. Both speakers reflect on their year in review and share insights about their current positions in business transformation.

Jillian Vorce discusses her accomplishments and experiences in the past year. She landed her first Dutch client and onboarded two new team members from the Netherlands. Jillian had over 125 meetings, reconnecting with old contacts and building new relationships. She also earned a certificate from MIT in sustainability for industry. Jillian launched a podcast with over 160 downloads and relaunched her business website. She published more blogs and social media posts than ever before, focusing on quantifiable results. Veronica Guguian reflects on their achievements as well, including launching Spin Ideas France and a Chrome extension for LinkedIn networking. Both emphasize the importance of celebrating successes and documenting them to understand growth opportunities.

Veronica Guguian and Jillian Vorce discuss the importance of trusting your instincts and building relationships. They also highlight the benefits of volunteering to gain new experiences and connections, particularly when transitioning careers or moving to a new location.

Both Veronica and Jillian reflect on what they have learned about themselves throughout the year, with Veronica emphasizing the need to check in with oneself and align actions with personal desires. They conclude by expressing gratitude for their conversation and wish listeners a happy New Year.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Dorien Morin-Van Dam’s LinkedIn post - structure + guidance for goal setting https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7130233531854655488?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_updateV2%3A%28urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7130233531854655488%2CFEED_DETAIL%2CEMPTY%2CDEFAULT%2Cfalse%29
• Ep 16: Falling In and Out of Love with Your Business: https://bit.ly/481uat6
• https://tedx.amsterdam/

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

Today Veronica and Jillian Vorce discuss the topic of working ON your business instead of in it. They emphasize the importance of dedicating time to evaluate and strategize for their businesses. The conversation also touches on challenges faced by entrepreneurs and the need to adapt to changes in the business environment. Quarterly business reviews are suggested as a way to stay on track with objectives throughout the year.
Jillian Vorce emphasizes the importance of collecting data to assess productivity levels, prospects, and opportunities. She suggests reallocating resources quarterly and highlights the need for capacity management during unexpected acquisition opportunities. It is recommended to conduct an annual analysis of goals and measurements to determine if objectives are being met. Veronica Guguian emphasizes the need for clarity in measuring success, such as determining client capacity, processes in place, availability, and resources.

They discuss the importance of analyzing sales cycles and conversion rates to be proactive in business decision-making. Both speakers stress the significance of analyzing numbers and setting clear goals aligned with values to make informed decisions about opportunities presented. The transcript also touches on delegation, time management, energy optimization by focusing on tasks that give energy rather than drain it out. Leveraging data is essential for making better decisions in business growth strategies.

Jillian Vorce discusses the importance of allocating time and managing profit in client engagements. She emphasizes the need to understand how much time is required for each task and how it aligns with personal goals. Veronica Guguian shares her own experience of prioritizing tasks, creating a to-do list, and valuing time. They both discuss the significance of being strict with time management and creating non-negotiable blocks on calendars. Different tools like digital apps or pen-and-paper methods are mentioned as helpful ways to track and manage tasks effectively. The speakers also highlight the importance of consistency, decisiveness, and avoiding procrastination in order to be productive.

Jillian Vorce discusses the importance of structuring time and using separate calendar links for different types of meetings. She also emphasizes the benefits of shorter, more productive meetings. Veronica Guguian adds that accountability partners and mastermind groups can be helpful in staying focused on business goals. They both agree that having mentors or advisors who are ahead in their careers is valuable for learning and growth. They also mention the importance of giving back to others by mentoring those who are just starting out. Additionally, they discuss the need for honest feedback from both cheerleaders and critics to continue improving. Getting a coach or consultant can provide guidance when feeling lost or lacking passion in business. Finally, they highlight the significance of small tweaks and taking action to work on one's business rather than just in it.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• https://toggl.com/
• Episode #16, https://creativecollaborationpodcast.com/episodes/falling-in-and-out-of-love-with-your-business

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

Today, Veronica and Jillian emphasize the need for proactive, creative, and patient approaches when building relationships. Veronica mentions her SPIN methodology  regarding understanding the audience and planning tactics to approach them effectively.

Veronica Guguian discusses the importance of mindset in business development and emphasizes the need to switch from a negative mentality to a positive one. She suggests being curious, attending events, and engaging with people without expecting immediate business outcomes.

Veronica also emphasizes the significance of follow-up and offers practical tips for maintaining contact, such as using calendars or LinkedIn. Jillian Vorce agrees with Veronica's approach and adds that building relationships through genuine conversations is vital in business development.

Both speakers stress the value of adding value to others rather than simply selling products or services. They highlight the importance of making connections between individuals without expecting anything in return but still following up on those introductions later if necessary. Additionally, they discuss how rejection can lead closer to success by filtering out incompatible clients and mention that circumstances may change over time, making previously rejected prospects potential future customers.

Veronica Guguian emphasizes the importance of focusing on the undecided segment of potential clients and building relationships with them. She also highlights the value of gathering feedback to improve services and increase conversion rates.

Jillian Vorce discusses the significance of raising one's profile through different mediums like content creation, networking, speaking engagements, etc. She advises leveraging both online and offline strategies for maximum impact. The transcript also touches upon the concept of outreach, suggesting that personalized and well-researched approaches are more effective than cold emails. Consistency is emphasized as a key factor in long-term success, while neglecting business development can lead to feast or famine cycles.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. https://nomorenetworking.com

2. https://www.duplessy.org

3. https://creativecollaborationpodcast.com/episodes/sales-marketing-miscues-opportunities

4. https://creativecollaborationpodcast.com/episodes/networking-tactics

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

On today's episode Veronica and Jillian discuss the concept of falling in and out of love with one's business, the importance of variety and stimulation in work, and the need for diversity and creativity to stay engaged. They acknowledge the challenges of maintaining enthusiasm and the importance of delegation and outsourcing tasks. They also emphasize the value of masterminds, mentors, and coaches, and regularly assess and restructure business activities.

Veronica and Jillian discuss the importance of delegation and trusting one's abilities in business. She acknowledges her struggle with delegating tasks that take longer than usual, but recognized the value of this for her company. She refers to her marketing methodology, which involves self-reflection for entrepreneurs to understand what they want to do and what they don't want to do in their business.

Jillian reflects on her own business journey, identifying her love for strategizing and collaborating with clients. She expresses her desire to do more of this, as she is now welcoming new client engagements after working with her previous roster of clients for the past 10 years. 

They agree that entrepreneurship is a lifestyle and adaptability is key to coping with changing feelings about one's business. Also,that a combination of changing perspective, delegation, and implementation could help them fall back in love with their businesses.

The two also discuss the challenges of growing a business, acknowledging the pressure to scale or expand but emphasizing that growth doesn't necessarily mean adding more people.

Towards the end, they talk about their shared values and working styles, and the possibility of organizing a retreat for entrepreneurs to work on their businesses.

Entrepreneurship and Love: A Discussion

Veronica and Jillian discussed the concept of falling in and out of love with one's business, acknowledging that it's a natural part of entrepreneurship. Veronica credited Julia Perkins from wise minds for bringing up this topic. Jillian, who had recently felt unfulfilled with her business, related the relationship with one's business to a romantic relationship. Veronica emphasized the importance of variety and stimulation in work to avoid monotony and boredom, and the need for diversity and creativity to stay engaged. They agreed that entrepreneurship is a lifestyle and adaptability is key to coping with changing feelings about one's business.

Maintaining Enthusiasm and Delegating Tasks

Veronica and Jillian discussed the challenges of maintaining enthusiasm for their business activities and how to effectively delegate tasks. Veronica acknowledged the importance of working with coaches and accountability groups to help her stay on track and maintain perspective. Jillian emphasized the value of external viewpoints to provide a different perspective and challenge normal assumptions. Both agreed on the need to regularly assess and restructure their business activities, with the end of the year providing a perfect opportunity for this.

Masterminds, Mentors, and Marketing Methods
Jillian shared her experiences with masterminds, mentors, and coaches and how they helped her in her business journey. She emphasized the importance of being purposeful and deliberate about identifying the things she loves doing in her business. Veronica, in turn, discussed her marketing methodology, which involves self-reflection for entrepreneurs to understand what they want to do and what they don't want to do in their business. Both agreed on the need to delegate and outsource tasks and focus on activities that bring the highest value. Veronica also mentioned that she is gradually moving away from tasks she doesn't enjoy, which she sees as a sign of growth and progress in her business.

Delegation and Trust

Veronica and Jillian discussed the importance of delegation and trusting one's abilities in business. Veronica acknowledged her struggle with delegating tasks that take longer than usual, but recognized the value of this for her company. Jillian praised Veronica for her progress in trusting herself and her abilities. They both emphasized the importance of focusing on tasks that bring joy and value to the business, and delegating or outsourcing tasks that don't. Towards the end, Jillian reflected on her own business journey, identifying her love for strategizing and collaborating with clients. She expressed her desire to do more of these tasks and less of the maintenance and nurturing aspects of her business.

Shared Values and Working Styles

Veronica and Jillian had a discussion about their shared values and working styles. Veronica emphasized the importance of not sharing too many ideas and being selective with clients, while Jillian expressed her preference for a more collaborative approach. They also talked about the value of sharing ideas and perspectives, and the possibility of organizing a retreat for entrepreneurs to work on their businesses. Towards the end of the meeting, they agreed on the importance of taking action and not letting good intentions go unexecuted. They also expressed interest in creating a product or service that facilitates structured exercises and massive action for entrepreneurs.

Retreat Concept and Collaboration Discussion

Jillian and Veronica had a discussion about an ideal retreat concept and potential collaboration. They both shared their ideas, with Jillian suggesting a business and marketing-focused retreat, and Veronica proposing the concept of falling in and out of love with their businesses. 

• They agreed that a combination of changing perspective, delegation, and implementation could help them fall back in love with their businesses.
• The two also discussed the challenges of growing a business, acknowledging the pressure to scale or expand but emphasizing that growth doesn't necessarily mean adding more people.

They emphasized the importance of refining services and offering them to a select group of clients. The idea of collaborating on a business venture was left open-ended, with Jillian considering creating a 1.0-version of the retreat concept if they can't find an existing one that suits them.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Veronica credits Julie Perkins from Wyseminds for suggesting this topic https://wyseminds.com/

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

During this episode Veronica Guguian and Jillian Vorce discuss the following subjects:

Women's Challenges in Male-Dominated Environments

Veronica and Jillian discussed the challenges women face in male-dominated environments, including questioning the need to change oneself to fit in. They also talked about the responsibility of men in changing their behavior, the importance of professionalism and intent as a young female entrepreneur, and the societal pressure on women to balance their professional and personal lives. 

Gender Roles in the Workplace

Veronica and Jillian had a candid discussion about gender roles in the workplace. Veronica expressed her struggle with asserting herself without losing her femininity and the importance of being taken seriously in a male-dominated environment. They also touched upon how societal expectations and upbringing can influence one's approach to life and work. Veronica shared her personal experiences where she felt she was treated differently due to her gender, such as being asked to work more while her less productive colleagues were not held accountable. The conversation ended with Veronica reflecting on how her upbringing by a strong mother influenced her mentality and approach to work.

Unconscious Biases and Women's Representation

Jillian and Veronica discussed their experiences with male colleagues' unconscious biases and the need for education and open conversations to address them. They also highlighted the slow but progressing cultural change and touched on gender roles in business and technology. The pair also discussed the underrepresentation of women in media and events and emphasized the importance of female representation, while Veronica shared her experience of diverse panel organization. Jillian introduced a global organization named Innovation. Women, which provides a Speakers bureau for women. Both agreed on the importance of collective effort to bring about a change in the representation of women in media and events.

Working with Women

Jillian shared her experience of working primarily with older male colleagues and how it's been a recent adjustment for her to work with women her age. She also shared a story about a client who recommended her to another executive, leading to a significant business opportunity. Jillian also mentioned a situation where she was expected to take notes in a meeting, which she challenged, leading to a change in the dynamics of the meeting.

Women's Experiences in Male-Dominated Environments

Veronica and Jillian had a conversation about their experiences as women in male-dominated environments. Jillian shared an experience where she felt undervalued in a meeting when a male colleague took notes despite her significant contributions. Veronica praised Jillian for challenging gender roles. Jillian also discussed a call she received from a male acquaintance seeking her input for a project and her uncertainty about revealing her pregnancy to a colleague due to potential professional repercussions. She mentioned that the colleague is now aware of her son, born the day after their conversation.

Women's Challenges and Responsibilities

Jillian and Veronica had a candid conversation about the challenges and responsibilities of being a woman, focusing on pregnancy and motherhood. They criticized the stereotype that women are solely responsible for childcare and encouraged men to share this burden. They also discussed the societal pressure on women to balance their professional and personal lives, suggesting that business deals should be expected to take longer when a woman is pregnant. The conversation ended with Veronica emphasizing the importance of fathers taking on a more active role in childcare. They also discussed the glass ceiling, assertiveness, and the treatment of women in the workplace.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• https://innovationwomen.com

Wall Street Journal article: 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/dont-ask-me-to-do-office-housework-11570959002

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits 

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

Todays' episode starts with Veronica emphasizing the importance of human touch in personalization, while Jillian suggests focusing on specific groups of customers and adding value to them based on their needs. They discuss the use of snail mail for a more personalized touch but caution against insincere gestures like automated birthday cards from companies.

Veronica Guguian discusses the importance of internal sustainability efforts and how it is often overlooked in favor of big corporate initiatives. She emphasizes that only a small percentage of companies genuinely prioritize sustainability based on their values, while others simply comply with legislation out of fear. Veronica believes that education and a shift in mentality are needed for sustainable practices to become more widespread. Jillian Vorce agrees and suggests that there is an opportunity for organizations to showcase the benefits and profitability of sustainable business processes. They also touch on the significance of creativity as a core value in business, highlighting its role in problem-solving and differentiation. Both speakers share personal experiences related to their cultural backgrounds that have influenced their perspectives on creativity.

Jillian Vorce discusses the emergence of AI and its impact, highlighting concerns about e-waste and water consumption. Veronica Guguian emphasizes the need for proper education on using AI effectively. They also discuss the importance of aligning marketing and sales teams, debunking the misconception that they are interchangeable roles. They mention the trend of using social media for customer service and recommend resources on customer care. The transcript also touches on prioritizing social responsibility, short videos (segs), and SEO trends.

Veronica Guguian asks for feedback on implementing trends in business and wants to know how people utilize predictions made by big companies. She encourages listeners to share their opinions through comments, email, or direct messages. Veronica is curious about when people look at these trends and whether they integrate them into their strategies. Jillian Vorce adds that they will reconvene on Friday for a meeting after Veronica takes a break. 

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. https://www2.deloitte.com/xe/en/insights/topics/marketing-and-sales-operations/global-marketing-trends.html
2. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/marketing-trends
3. https://earth.org/the-green-dilemma-can-ai-fulfil-its-potential-without-harming-the-environment
4. https://bsquared.media/the-state-of-social-media-customer-care/

https://www.orbitmedia.com/blog/blogging-statistics/

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

 In this special episode of Creative Conversation: Conversations with Veronica and Jillian, Jillian Vorce has her turn in the "hot seat." She shares that her company, TJG, is transitioning from version 1.0 to version 2.0. She explains that she has decided to move on from one of her long-term clients.

She is now focused on building TJG 2.0 with a more deliberate approach, potentially targeting the US or European market and emphasizing sustainability practices. She also expresses her enjoyment of working with a team and wanting to rebuild it intentionally.

Jillian discusses her approach to working with clients, including long-term retainers and short-term projects. Veronica and Jillian discuss the importance of building relationships and trust with clients.

Jillian expresses frustration with companies focused solely on making more money and highlights the need for leadership evolution. Veronica encourages Jillian to focus on what services would make her happy and utilize collaboration in her work. Both agree on maximizing resources and reducing waste in business processes, such as improving meeting efficiency.

Jillian Vorce discusses her hesitation to be perceived as a traditional marketing agency due to the need for more control over the sales process and client expectations. She highlights the need for a more integrated approach between sales and marketing, emphasizing the importance of business strategy and management consulting.

Veronica Guguian suggests that Jillian should focus on what brings her joy and redefine her identity regarding the services offered. They discuss targeting medium-sized to larger enterprises and finding a niche within that market segment. Jillian expresses concerns about companies' willingness to hire for management consulting rather than just marketing, but Veronica encourages her to identify her target audience and their specific needs.

Jillian Vorce discusses the opportunity to help companies improve their deliverables and reduce waste. Veronica Guguian advises Jillian to consider both the US and European markets, focusing on clients that want to enter each respective market. They discuss finding what makes Jillian unique and clarifying her message. Veronica emphasizes defining values when determining a target audience rather than just company size or financial resources.

Veronica Guguian and Jillian Vorce discuss making changes in their careers. They talk about the importance of clarity and owning what they want. They also discuss finding ways to keep valuable team members while transitioning to a new business focus. Veronica advises Jillian to educate herself and others to grow her business. The conversation ends with Jillian expressing excitement and apprehension about the changes she is making but acknowledging that she has everything she needs to succeed.

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

Jillian and Veronica discuss their views on networking and how it can be beneficial for business. Jillian emphasized that she doesn't network for her own gain, but rather to connect with interesting individuals and facilitate introductions. She also emphasized the importance of having a plan and being aware of one's purpose and posture in any situation. Veronica agreed, mentioning that she had gained clients through casual conversations unrelated to business. They ended the conversation with Veronica launching a challenge related to attitudes in networking.

Veronica shared her strategies for meeting new people, such as attending sessions and engaging in conversations, and emphasized that networking effectiveness can depend on personality.  They discuss the traits of effective networking, emphasizing the importance of being present, asking questions, and actively listening, and that networking's real value comes from after the event, such as following up with potential connections.

Jillian Vorce discusses a tactic she used to network effectively by hosting curated coffees or lunches, bringing together a selective mix of people to create value and allow each person to shine. She emphasizes the importance of creating an environment for others to shine and positioning them in front of everyone else. Jillian also highlights the significance of follow-up after networking events, suggesting sending LinkedIn messages and using tools like Calendly for scheduling calls. Veronica Guguian adds that it's crucial to focus on what you do after networking, as that determines its effectiveness. She recommends inviting connections to personal events and making notes for different actions, while also considering automation solutions when appropriate.

 Veronica emphasizes the shift towards inspiration and networking in events and how the pandemic changed her approach. She also mentioned her plans for a quarterly face-to-face series. Jillian highlighted the importance of strategic planning at events, such as using apps for connections and immediately following up with new connections. She also shared her experience with hosting events, suggesting starting small can be effective and curating mixes of people for business lunches or coffees. Both agreed on the benefits of networking in a group setting and emphasized the importance of allowing each person to shine. They concluded that effective networking events should be simple and not overwhelming, with smaller, more intimate events being ideal for meaningful connections.

Jillian Vorce challenges the misconception that extroverts make better networkers, emphasizing the value of listening and asking questions. They both agree that networking is not just about attending events but also following up afterward to build relationships. Veronica shares her approach of attending events for inspiration rather than solely seeking clients. Jillian suggests tactics such as planning ahead, utilizing social media connections, and hosting one's own events for effective networking strategies.

Veronica shared her strategy of using LinkedIn and personal notes to connect and follow up with new contacts.Jillian emphasized the importance of personal touches like snail mail and event invitations, and highlighted the role of 'posture' and body language in networking. She shared her experience of attending an event and striking a conversation with John, which led to three speaking engagements and a meaningful personal relationship. She attributed her success to her observation skills and understanding her purpose in networking situations.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

https://calendly.com/

https://youcanbook.me/

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur

Welcome to episode 11 of Creative Conversation: Conversations with Veronica and Jillian. 

In this episode, Veronica Guguian shares her journey of growing ONS from 16 participants to around 50, and the challenges she faced in facilitating conversations and maintaining timeframes. She also explains her idea of bringing experts on board to provide tips while she handles the technical side during ONS sessions. The ONS started as a way for people to connect during networking events that were no longer possible due to closures.

They talk about the importance of experimentation and how it can translate into different formats like video or audio podcasting. 

Veronica Guguian discusses her experience with networking and the need for three people in a room to avoid conflict. She mentions that the number of attendees at her events has decreased from 50 to around 20-25, but she wants to keep it online because many participants are from outside the Netherlands. Veronica plans to introduce more targeted networking by better-qualifying attendees based on their needs, such as finding new clients or investors. 

Jillian Vorce suggests conducting surveys and gathering feedback from attendees to assess the value they receive and understand why some people don't return. Veronica agrees that surveying could be improved and expresses her desire for anonymous feedback.

They discuss the importance of data collection regarding attendee retention, purpose, and business development outcomes.

Jillian Vorce discusses the challenges of closing deals and the unpredictable nature of business relationships. 

Veronica Guguian realizes that her online networking service needs to be integrated into her marketing strategy and determine its purpose within her overall goals. They discuss how to position the service, engage the target audience, and make it more targeted. Jillian suggests using ONS as an opportunity to develop team talent and build rapport with clients. However, they also acknowledge the difficulties of managing expectations and finding a balance between personal brand and business identity.

Jillian Vorce offered her experience as a presenter, saying she felt awkward because she didn't feel like she could add value to the format.

Veronica Guguian acknowledged this and suggested that Jillian should explain her ideas in an article. They discussed the importance of building relationships and gathering input from regular attendees. They also talked about the challenges of generating business from networking events and the need for follow-up conversations. Veronica acknowledged that change is necessary to improve their networking format, while Jillian praised Veronica's openness to new ideas. They mentioned introducing each other to helpful contacts and teased upcoming episodes where they would discuss other topics.

Jillian Vorce asks about plans and specifically mentions surveying and the structure/format. Veronica Guguian suggests ending the episode and thanks listeners. Jillian suggests a name for the episode, "Collaboration in Action," which Veronica loves. They discuss numbering and end the conversation with goodbyes.

People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• https://spinideas.nl/online-networking-with-a-spin/

About Veronica Guguian

- Website: https://spinideas.nl/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Veronica-guguian

About Jillian Vorce

 - Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce

Credits

-  Music Composed by BeeLa Music

-  Voiceover by Amanda Balagur