So, let’s get to the three focus area of an Elite Business Connector:

1. Communication - This focus area is all about me and preparation for focus area number two…
2. Conversation - This focus are is all about you or me and being able to start a conversation that draws the other person in and wanting more which should naturally lead to a…
3. Connection - This focus area is about us and this is the ultimate goal but it doesn’t come easy. You must do the first two focus areas of communication and conversation for the third focus area of connect, even has a shot.

How we communicate is how we eventually connect. As a result,  John Maxwell has The Five C’s of Effective Communication:

1. Concise – Think length and how you can communicate your point in the shortest yet effective way as possible while most people continue to talk hoping they actually figure out what they're trying to say. Avoid irrelevant tangents and prevent over-explaining. 

1. Clear – Think instant understanding by other people. Your words and pace are simple making sure the message you're trying to communicate is understood.

1. InControl – Think guiding the direction of the conversation and knowing where you're going with your communication so you can end up where you planned to go with not only your words but also your questions. 

1. Be Courteous– Think conversation manners of please, thank you, and sorry. It also means not interrupting and being truly engaged in every way in the conversation. 

1. Be Confident– People will be interested in whatever you have to say when they can see that you’re truly confident in it. When you're conscious of what you say, you can be more confident. And it shows a lot of confidence to tell someone exactly what you want to talk about. When you do this, you need to make sure you speak in a respectful and friendly tone, because you don’t want to come off too bossy or intense. 

Links

Harvest Business School

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

Welcome to the Elite Business Connector Podcast, I’m your host, BpB, husband of one, father of five,  and on a mission to help you develop and master your business social skills.

So what is episode 000? This is the unofficial, off the record, between us girls, episode going all triple zero on you.  This is the underground episode to give you the 411 on all things Elite Business Connector Podcast.

A Little About Me…

I’m Bryan Paul Buckley and as mentioned a husband of one and father of five with four boys and one daughter who we like to say is a rose among thorns with being smack dab in the middle.  We have two golden retrievers named Hurley and Oakley and we live in the Chicago land suburbs. I’m also a Chicago sports loyalists which means I’m glutton for punishment and false hope. 

I’ve written three books on business travel:

Elite Road Warrior - Six Energy Habits to Master the Business Travel - if you’re a road warrior there’s almost 100 episodes of The Elite Road Podcast the 2nd book is leadership based and called…

Elite Business Travel Boss - The Unwritten Success for Leading Business Travel Teams and my last and most recent is…

The Road Warrior After God’s Own Heart - Exploring Six Seasons of King David’s Life Through a Business Traveler’s Eyes

And my 4th book is called Elite Business Connector - How to Develop and Master Business Social Skills.  And this podcast is a based on this specific book.

The Ideal Listener for this podcast are business professionals who interact with people on a regular basis. Sales, customer service, and hospitality would be ideal listeners. But it can be anyone who wants to improve their people skills can benefit from this podcast too.

Show Rhythm: odd numbered episodes are content driven and the even numbered episodes will be interviews with subject matter experts. I want you to learn from me but also subject matter experts from authors to professional connectors.

Show Length: I’m not a fan of long episodes for a couple of reasons:

1. I’m usually on the road and don’t prefer taking three different time frames to listen to just finish one episode
2. My attention span. I have letters at the back of my name but not PHD but ADHD.

On average 30 minutes. Some content will be a little under or spot on for 30 minutes. But then an interview with a subject matter experts may go exactly 30 or just a little over. Your time is valuable as mine, so my goal is to get in and get out so nobody gets hurt. 

Tone: 

1. Informational - I want you to learn useful information that you can use right away
2. Encouraging - I want you to feel like you do something with this information to make you better
3. Challenging - I don’t want you to stay the same but feel challenged to apply what you’re learning
4. Snarky with my one-liners since it’s a gift 
5. Entertaining - I am a fan of the funny, like to have a good time and whatever is said on the podcast, stays on this podcast (did see what I did there..?)

Topics:

• The Power of a 1st impression 
• Humor in the workplace
• Listening skills 
• Asking Questions
• How to remember names
• Is small talk necessary and if yes, how to turn small talk into smart talk

…and so much more

Where are we headed in the next few episodes:

001 - We’ll be unpacking the first of three of the EBC focus areas:  

1. Communication - it start right here by communicating in a way that encourages conversation 
2. Conversation - being able to start a conversation that draws the other person in and wanting more
3. Connection - this is the ultimate goal but doesn’t come easy yet I’ll work you through it it

002 - Will be our 1st interview with a subjec