Mark Sham, entrepreneur, speaker and world traveller, talks to John Watson about his passion for showcasing South Africa to the world and the importance of being a tourist in your own country. He shares insights on his ventures, the Suits & Sneakers events @ The Tryst, and the impact of community-driven movements. Mark also discusses the origin of Like A Tourist, the intensity of video production, and the development of a future booking platform.

Has Mark Sham found his right place? Listen to find out.

Connect with Mark Sham everywhere on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-sham-86b552a/

https://marksham.com/

https://www.instagram.com/shamwich/

LIKE A TOURIST

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@likeatourist

https://likeatourist.co.za/

https://www.instagram.com/likeatouristza/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/like-a-tourist/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/showcasing-south-africa-to-the-world/

SUITS & SNEAKERS | THE TRYST

https://www.instagram.com/suitssneakers/

https://www.instagram.com/thetrystsa/

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

John and Rudolf explore the concept of networking up or connecting with others at a new level. They emphasizes the importance of networking with people above your current level to accelerate your progress and open up new opportunities. This requires a different mindset and approach, including being uncomfortable, having a plan, and being mindful of the right time and place for conversations.

They also highlight the value of building relationships with PAs and secretaries and the power of asking for connections to higher-level individuals. The conversation concludes with the reminder to consistently do your current job well while looking for ways to network UP!

Takeaways:

- Networking up is essential for personal and professional growth.

- To network up, be uncomfortable, have a plan, and choose the right time and place for conversations.

- Build relationships with people above your current level to gain insights and opportunities.

- Connect with PAs and secretaries as they have valuable knowledge and can open doors for you.

- Ask for connections to higher-level individuals to expand your network and explore new opportunities.

- Consistently perform well in your current job while networking up.

#networkingskills #connections #relationshiptips

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

In this conversation, Rudolf Rautenbach interviews Karlien Delport-Botha, a strategic communications professional from The Communication Collective. They discuss Karlien's background in communications, the importance of networking, and the value of being a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Karlien emphasizes the need for effective communication in leadership and the role of empathy in building connections. They also touch on the concept of finding one's right place in life and the constant evolution and adaptation that comes with it.

Connect with Karlien Delport Botha:

Website: https://www.dev-com.co.za/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlien-delport-botha-scmp%C2%AE-9a83648/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

How do you talk to famous people? You start by not being an idiot about it!

In this episode, Rudolf and John discuss how to approach and interact with famous people. They emphasize treating them as regular human beings and not putting them on a pedestal. They advise being respectful, keeping interactions short and sweet, and avoiding bringing up scandalous topics.

They also highlight the importance of being prepared with a follow-up question or comment to keep the conversation flowing. They share personal anecdotes and stress the value of building genuine relationships with famous individuals. Overall, the key is to treat famous people with respect and recognize that they have their own lives and responsibilities.

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

#networking #famous #people #communicationskills

John talks to LinkedIn supremo Jason Luboyera, the Head of Growth @ FDC Agency, about his journey from being a busy child, to his passion for rugby and studying abroad.

They discuss his learnings from Toastmasters, and how he landed up working for Top 35 Under 35 CA Louw Barnardt at Outsourced CFO and how this lead him to start 360Digisales.

Jason shares the origin of his relationship with FDC Founder & CEO Renier Lombard and how these would be competitors became friends and helped each other build digital communities, client solutions and personal branding.

Connect with Jason Luboyera:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-luboyera-social-selling/

Website: https://fdc.agency/

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

#linkedin #personalbranding #connecting

We were very intrigued by Sahil Bloom's recent article "The Anti-Networking Guide" so naturally John and Rudolf had to talk about it on the podcast.

Do we agree with Sahil that networking is dead?

Yes we think so!

Smart relationship building is where it's at, and Sahil gave four great principles of anti-networking.

We cover each one individually and share what we think can work for you. Plus we share our practical tips for finding the right rooms, starting interesting conversations, and maintaining connections.

Here is the original article:

https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter/the-anti-networking-guide

OR

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sahilbloom_harsh-truth-networking-is-dead-4-principles-activity-7196834318575353856-Aft4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

We appreciate Sahil's approach to networking and encourage you to follow him everywhere on social media.

Let us know if you agree or disagree that networking is dead?

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

#networking #sahilbloom #relationship

Is Pretoria the wildest Capital City in the world? Susan Marais certainly thinks so and she is on a drive to show off the best of what Pretoria has to offer.

Rudolf spoke with her on her personal journey, from growing up on a farm to running her own guest house 3 Marion in Colbyn, Pretoria.

She also discusses her involvement with the Pretoria Bucket List, a resource for tourists and locals to discover the hidden gems of the city.

Susan is also the vice chairperson of the Tshwane Tourism Association, where she works to promote Pretoria as a tourism destination.

The conversation highlights the importance of networking and community involvement in building a successful business and city.

Connect with Susan Marais:

3 Marion Guest House: https://3marion.co.za/

Pretoria Bucket List: https://pretoriabucketlist.co.za/

Tshwane Tourism Association: https://www.tshwanetourism.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-marais-13376024/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

#networking #pretoria #bucketlist

John talks to neighbour and fellow CA, Christine Du Toit, about her journey and experiences as a working mom and business woman. They discuss similarities between being an auditor and a spy, and the importance of building relationships and maintaining connections with colleagues and mentors.

Christine shares her experiences starting her own practice and the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. A healthy balance between work and family life is possible when you have a supportive employer. Scheduling breaks and spending quality time with loved ones will also make you a better business person in the long run.

They also discuss Christine's new venture, Lux Audere, which focuses on preserving family businesses and helping with succession planning. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the upcoming Clara Business Network meeting and the importance of having plans in place for the future of your family business.

Connect with Christine Du Toit:

Website: https://www.chartered.co.za/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-du-toit/

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

#familybusiness #coaching #businesswoman #networking

John and Rudolf discuss the topic of connection rejection and how to handle setbacks in networking. They share their experiences with rejection and non-responsiveness, emphasizing the importance of not taking it personally.

They provide practical advice and strategies for following up and staying persistent, such as using different communication channels and offering alternative options.

They also highlight the significance of building relationships and understanding the other person's perspective. The conversation explores the psychology behind rejection and the value of reflection, self-improvement and maintaining positive relationships.

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/

#networking #rejection #businesscommunication

Gerhard Cruywagen joins John Watson this week and shares his journey of entrepreneurship, from buying and selling as a child to starting his own computer business, PC Laptops.

He discusses the importance of building connections and trust in business and highlights the value of networking. He also talks about his involvement in co-founding the Clara Business Network and the benefits of creating a relaxed and social networking environment.

Gerhard emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships and helping others in order to build a strong network.

PC Laptops is known in South Africa as one of the largest retailers for refurbished computer equipment. All refurbished products come with warranties of up to 2 years and they also stock large quantities of new and demonstration units too. https://www.pclaptops.co.za/

Code4U specializes in Thermal Inkjet Printers, Handheld variables & Cartridges while offering sales, services, and support. https://www.pclaptops.co.za/code4u/

Connect with Gerhard Cruywagen here:

Website: https://www.pclaptops.co.za/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerhard-cruywagen-32b82958/

Connect with John Watson:

Website: https://johnconnects.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-watson-ca/

Connect with Rudolf Rautenbach:

Website: https://createinfinity.co.za

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolf-rautenbach/