On November 11th at 8am Pacific Standard Time, I will be holding my review of the third quarter with an eye to those businesses that have adapted well during this pandemic. I want to look to the positive outcomes for inspiration as we close out 2020 and prepare for the future.

Join me November 11th at 8am PST for my third quarter review. Let’s prepare for 2021 and beyond. The event is free. I will be hosting this on Zoom. Find the registration link in the show notes. Register (free) at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsfu-pqDguGNzPvLt-rUUJi2kYKpfdNXKE

See the videos of my previous quarterly reviews:

More opportunities to improve your business networking skills:

Walt and Roy launched their company the same year the Great Depression started. Today the company is worth about $130 Billion. I observed that Disney was being deliberate about learning what it takes to open in a pre-vaccine world. Here are the five things I observed them doing:

Each Monday at 8am Pacific, I host a Networking Question and Answer session on Zoom. It is 30 minutes of learning how to connect (network) even in this crazy world.  Register for free: https://buff.ly/2OKCFCc. I also co-host the Global Virtual Tea Break each month. Check the show notes for the next one coming this Friday, October 23rd https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd-Crpz0tE9ApqZ3f_PiMrz4SfL771n68

And In November, 2020: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqceyhqzosG9fHbbB6mvXIIQ6iigbLl9tq

Request to join my free Facebook Group where we focus on learning to best use our professional networks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessnetworkingtips/

I am breaking from my series on Lessons Learned from Disney to insert this episode because I am seeking your assistance.

In this simple podcast episode, I only ask that you send me an email ([email protected]) in response to this episode with stories of business success amid the craziness. Feel free to pass on this message and my email address to those you know who have proven that entrepreneurs are greater than a virus.

My dad used to tell me he knew too many people wishing their lives away. I wish it was 5 o’clock; I wish it was Friday; I wish I was on vacation; I wish I was retired. Is today not enough? This is a problem of culture. If you are a freelance professional, solo entrepreneur, or small business owner - you get to decide the culture of your business.

Make it Fun!

· Participate in the Global Virtual Tea Break with me and Alan Hennessy for worldwide networking: 

Register for October 2020: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd-Crpz0tE9ApqZ3f_PiMrz4SfL771n68

Register for November 2020:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqceyhqzosG9fHbbB6mvXIIQ6iigbLl9tq

· Get a copy of my book, Motivational Listener: Be Interesting by Being Interested (Practical Skills to Be Successful at Business Networking Events) on Amazon Kindle or Audible: https://www.amazon.com/.../ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

· Join in on one of my weekly free Networking Q&A Sessions: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-6vrz8qH9YwGIpM11NHhCqIn-5VVEBG

· Enroll in my course Business Networking Fundamentals: https://coursecraft.net/courses/z91H8

· Share this podcast with others: https://anchor.fm/dscottsmith

· Schedule a no obligation, no cost call with me to discuss your professional network: https://www.dscottsmith.co/contactscott

Business networking became harder - or did it? Five people for 7 days in 150 cubit feet and a visit to Disneyland provided valuable lessons.

Many have been directly affected by COVID-19; all of us have been impacted by the response to this novel coronavirus discovered in 2019. Until there is an effective vaccine and inoculations are implemented on a global scale, this is our life.

Here's a no-cost, no-obligation opportunity to learn how to use your business and professional network to grow your business. Join me Monday mornings at 8am Pacific for 30 minutes of Networking Questions and Answers. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-6vrz8qH9YwGIpM11NHhCqIn-5VVEBG

Business networking is the most effective marketing tool. Learn more at https://www.dscottsmith.com/ 

How do I get in-front of potential clients in this pre-vaccine COVID world? Many small business owners, solo entrepreneurs, and freelance professionals I speak with get their clients through their networks by referral.

This is particularly challenging when traditional networking events have moved online. How do we source clients?

In this episode we continue the series of learning from the Disney Company about how to get back to business.

Each week at 8am Pacific, I host a Networking Questions and Answer session. There is no charge for these 30 minutes of learning how to best use our business networks as an effective marketing tool and getting more customers through referrals. 

Click here to register:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-6vrz8qH9YwGIpM11NHhCqIn-5VVEBG

If you feel stuck and would like personal assistance, request to get on my calendar. We will spend 45 minutes and get clear on:

Grab a spot now at https://www.dscottsmith.co/contactscott.

The world changed just as 2020 was getting started. We’re experiencing a culture-changing event. Businesses that were considered “non-essential” were closed. As weeks of shelter-in-place passed, businesses were allowed to start reopening. But how?

In this episode we look closer at how the Disney Company is returning to business.

Each week I hold a Networking Questions and Answer Session. Perhaps you’ll be able to join us at 8am Pacific in our Zoom Room. It’s free – register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-6vrz8qH9YwGIpM11NHhCqIn-5VVEBG.

Learn more about business networking:

· Participate in the Global Virtual Tea Break with me and Alan Hennessy for worldwide networking: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6703365084351139840

· Get a copy of my book, Motivational Listener: Be Interesting by Being Interested (Practical Skills to Be Successful at Business Networking Events) on Amazon Kindle or Audible: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JYX99G5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

· Enroll in my course Business Networking Fundamentals: https://coursecraft.net/courses/z91H8

· Schedule a no obligation, no cost call with me to discuss your professional network: https://www.dscottsmith.co/contactscott

Over the years, Disney has been examined and case studies have been written. Many have tried to understand and replicate the magic. Since my focus is on business networking, and I want to share tips with you to improve your ability to use this tool to market your products and services and get more customers, let’s look at how Disney is handling this global pandemic and see what we can apply. In this episode I share five tips I observed from Disney to get back to business.

If you are interested in learning how to get referrals from your business network and grow your business, request membership in my free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessnetworkingtips/. This is not a referrals group - we focus on learning and education to grow and use our professional networks.

I also run a free Business Networking Question and Answer session every Monday at 8am Pacific. You can register for these free sessions by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-6vrz8qH9YwGIpM11NHhCqIn-5VVEBG. Bring your networking questions and get practical answers to develop you network.

2020: An Unexpected Year. Quarterly Review Session

In March,  GDP was expected to grow this year...now we are looking at a decline.  Let's review the last quarter and plan for the second half of 2020. You are invited to a Zoom meeting I am hosting this Friday (July 3rd) at 7am Pacific. Registration for this free review and discussion is open, click here: https://buff.ly/2NNRBPD.

Economic forecasts for 2020 (as late as March of this year) indicated GDP growth of 2.4%. Now we are looking at a decline of around 6% to 7.6%. Let's talk about planning/preparation. If you are looking to do a bit of homework beforehand – take a look at research by Dr. Gabriele Oettingen. She talks about positive thinking (but it’s not what you’re thinking).

This podcast focuses on business networking - always lean into your network for support. If you'd like to learn more, visit dscottsmith.com or join my free Facebook Group to learn more about the power of your professional network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessnetworkingtips/. This is not a leads or referral group, we are dedicated to educating each other to be master networkers. 

When I heard that the  South by Southwest (SxSW) conference was cancelled, I knew many businesses would be hurt by the response to the virus. When the National Basketball Association (NBA) cancelled, I thought it might be a publicity issue. When March Madness was called-off, I knew millions of dollars of revenue was lost. There were serious and long-term consequences coming.

I hope you will join me on Tuesday 3.31.2020 at 9am PDT (11am EDT and 4pm GMT) for a 1-hour debrief of Q1 2020 and mastermind for the next 9 months. I am hosting this session via Zoom. If you are interested - I've got a Google Form for registration to RSVP and let me know what's on your brain. Here's the link:  https://buff.ly/2xqY26m.

If you are interested in joining my Facebook Group to learn tips and stories to use Business Networking to get more customers, request access here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessnetworkingtips. Our best referrals come word-of-mouth, from our professional network. This is a great time to be intentional about building our networks and getting more clients.