The Bits You Don't See by Calum MacLeod

September 19, 2025 #036 – Phil Bedford – The Rebel Networker: How to Build Powerful Relationships That Transform Business

How do you go from being a bullied, anxious kid in Devon… to becoming one of the most trusted voices in networking and relationship marketing in Dubai?

That’s the story of Phil Bedford – The Rebel Networker.

Phil has lived in Dubai for 27 years, built multiple businesses, written five books, taught governments and entrepreneurs across the Middle East, and even become a professor — despite failing at school. His mission? To prove that referrals, relationships, and credibility will always outperform cold calls and empty marketing spend.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ How Phil went from being bullied and suicidal thoughts to building resilience and confidence

✅ The difference between networking, networks, referrals, and word of mouth

✅ Why most companies fail at networking — and how to fix it

✅ The shocking “word of mouth factor” that every entrepreneur must know

✅ Why charging for events filters out the wrong people and attracts serious players

✅ How to turn yourself into a “mega-connector” in business and life

✅ Lessons from triathlons, Ironman, and underwater hockey that apply to entrepreneurship

Phil’s story is proof that your network really is your net worth — but only if you build it strategically.

🎧 Listen / Watch the Full Episode

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBitsYouDontSee

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GoQcDSj3bU1og11KUZ7uX

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bits-you-dont-see/id1787517797

📌 Follow Phil Bedford

🔗 Website: therebelnetworker.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Phil Bedford

🔗 Instagram: @rebelnetworker

🔗 Books on Amazon: Phil Bedford

📌 Follow The Bits You Don’t See

🔗 Instagram: @thebitsyoudontsee

🔗 LinkedIn: The Bits You Don’t See

⚡ Chapters (15 total – SEO & storytelling optimized):

00:00 – Welcome to The Bits You Don’t See

00:17 – Moving to Dubai before it was “cool”

01:44 – First impressions of Dubai in the 90s

03:49 – From recruitment to building his own businesses

05:47 – Networking vs. your network vs. referrals

08:34 – Transactional vs. relational people in business

11:09 – Childhood, bullying, and early struggles

14:55 – Selling juice at school: Phil’s first business

16:10 – Learning to “network up” for survival

18:11 – Levelling up in Dubai’s transient business world

22:27 – Will Phil ever leave Dubai?

26:25 – Why networking beats cold calling & ads

30:08 – The referral problem: why clients don’t introduce you

36:22 – Good word of mouth vs. bad word of mouth

41:26 – Why paid networking events actually work

48:15 – Completing an Ironman with tendonitis

54:49 – From introvert to global keynote speaker

1:15:34 – The “Room Test” – choosing the right people for your life

🚀 If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or professional in Dubai (or anywhere in the world) — this episode will change how you think about networking, referrals, and the people around you.

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