Networking: you either love it or you hate it. But is it really a necessary skill?

Joe Sweeney thinks so. In fact, he's built a career around coaching others on the power of networking. Through his insights, entrepreneurs have built successful businesses, individuals have achieved their career goals, and professional athletes have multiplied their reach.

We sat down with the New York Times best-selling author, executive coach and speaker to understand networking - what it is, what it isn't, and how educators, students and employers can build their networks and achieve their goals.

In this episode:

• Why so many people hate networking - and the one perspective shift that will change your mind
• The four-step process to building relationships
• How to make asking fun (and how this technique got Bob Costas to come to Milwaukee)
• What educators should say when asking employers to support their program
• What students need to know before they start networking

And much more! Don't forget to check out the resources at the bottom of this page for more from Joe Sweeney.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. The #1 success tool in business? Relationships. Forget what you know about networking (the pressure to give away all your business cards or collect as many as possible...). Joe shares a single perspective shift around what networking truly is. Once you understand the purpose of networking, you'll build stronger, more valuable connections that will bring you success in life and work.
2. The four-step process to networking: You'll have to listen to the episode to hear the four steps, but remember this: the process is simple, but it's not easy. There will certainly be roadblocks and challenges in the way, but Joe shares some examples on how to work through them using the four steps.
3. Educators, ask yourself: what's in it for the employer? When building vital education-industry partnerships, often each party is primarily concerned with their own needs. Instead, approach the partnership by seeking to understand what the other will get out of it. Educators - if you need support from employers, make it clear what they will get in return.

Resources

More about the Bob Costas and Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame story: https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/1995sportshall

To learn more about Joe Sweeney, visit his website: https://joesweeney.com/

• Networking Is a Contact Sport (Amazon)
• Moving the Needle (Amazon)
• After Further Review (Amazon)
• A Light Shines Through Us (Amazon)

Connect with Joe Sweeney on social media:

Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  Fa

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