Third Generation Networking Podcast

Networking can feel a little vague at times. You may feel like you aren’t getting a lot out of your efforts despite doing a lot of networking. Here’s the question: How much networking are you actually doing? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some way to measure your current level of effort? It sure would make your decisions about where to spend your networking effort a lot easier.

Greg and Debby tackle this tricky topic today about how to track your efforts and (just like anything else you measure in your life) make them better.

Also Mentioned:

- Networking Tracking Tool: https://www.connextnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Mapping-tool.pdf

- 21-21-21 Networking Training: https://www.connextnation.com/212121

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[2:30] What is the Networking Scorecard?

[5:30] How to use a scorecard

[8:20] What’s the point of tracking these numbers anyway?

[12:00] Don’t change the numbers when you compare.

[13:00] What gets measured, gets done.

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

"Porch Swing Days - faster" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Many people join large networking organizations such as a local Chamber of Commerce, trade association, or business group. That’s great! The problem is, they don’t know the techniques they need in order to be successful in those venues. The end result? They either actually quit or they emotional shut down and even when they show up, they don’t expect to get anything out of their membership.

Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the simple activities you can pursue in order to stand out in the group and get the kind of results you want. Thank you to Kristin Meyer and Colleen Tankoos for the inspiration for our conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparkers:

- Kristin Meyer, Executive Director at Maumee Chamber Of Commerce, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-meyer-9125a2164/

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[3:00] Divide and conquer. Become part of a subgroup or committee.

[7:43] Meet with individuals outside the larger events.

[11:30] Volunteer for less glamorous jobs.

[15:30] Become the leader, even if you aren’t.

[18:00] Greg gets a Christmas surprise from an unexpected source

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

Are you really getting in the networking you want with the people with whom you need to connect? Sometimes those events just aren’t there. Especially now, in the time of pandemic, even if a group is a good potential match for your needs, it might not be creating actual opportunity for networking. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the option to create your own networking venue.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Julia Wiley, RCO Law, https://www.rcolaw.com/?t=3&A=7116&format=xml&p=6664

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[2:15] What Debby gave to the family last year for Christmas

[4:03] What need Julia Wiley saw and decided to meet

[6:35] The groups that Debby built

[9:10] Activity for engagement: Spotlight Member

[11:30] Combatting “Zoom Fatigue”

[13:15] Getting buy-in from participants

[17:40] Doesn’t only have to be local

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

We all want to be valuable to our networking connections, but finding referrals for everyone can be a tremendously challenging process. After all, it’s hard enough to find opportunity for our own businesses and careers, let alone finding the same for someone else. Join us as Debby reveals the sneaky tricks she uses to find the referrals her network needs.

Mentioned in this Episode:

- Matthew Utter, OBM, https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewutter/

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[0:35] Why is Greg the “Superhero-in-Residence”?

[4:20] Step 1: You need to know what they need – specifically.

[5:20] It’s useless to ask for “Anyone who wants my stuff”

[6:20] Helping your networking contact refine their need

[10:25] Step 2: Doing the research. Tools to find specific names.

[13:00] Providing value other than the specific connection

[14:40] Step 3: Making the connection

[17:30] Step-wise introductions

Contact us:

Debby Peters, [email protected]

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

Bad News: Calling them up to “Check In” may sound innocent enough, but many people translate that phrase into “Do you have anything for me?” If you aren’t careful people might stop taking your calls. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the best way to put yourself back in someone’s path with various activities to be of service.

Thank you to Cory Dunham, Kristin Meyer, and Colleen Tankoos for asking the questions that sparked the conversation!

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Cory Dunham, BDB Marketing Design, https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-dunham-2101671/

Also Mentioned:

- Rick Adkins, Oasis Senior Advisor, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickadkins/

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[1:00] The home project that Debby was working on this weekend

[3:00] The dangers of “I’m just checking in”

[4:30] Bringing Value: Making introductions as a follow-up technique

[6:20] Recommendations: Less Annoying CRM

[7:20] Listening for opportunities to be of service

[8:55] The importance of keeping good notes

[10:00] Paying attention for the immediacy of the moment

[11:30] What is the actual process of scheduling a follow-up?

[13:30] The different kinds of “Checking in”

[14:00] Debby spills the beans on Greg’s fashion sense.

[15:45] One of the main areas where people fail in networking

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

Networking is about relationships and relationships require communication. When it comes to that activity, we need to understand more than just the language. We need to navigate the specific etiquette and protocols inherent in that communication. If you’d like you words and actions to convey the message you intend, join Greg and Debby as they discuss the why’s and wherefores of networking communication.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Taylor Rachko, Manager, Garage Floor Coating, https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-rachko-16455b58/

Also Mentioned:

- Calendly – Free Online Appointment Scheduler -- https://calendly.com/

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[0:30] The secret skills of tech support

[2:45] How to honor the intent of Cc and Bcc in emails

[5:50] Our squirrel moment with the CCC

[8:15] Business card etiquette

[11:30] Should you write on the back of the card?

[12:45] Passing contact information without the business card

[18:00] To pre-schedule or not pre-schedule – that is the question

[20:45] Forgiveness is good networking

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

Each of us might experience temporary or permanent personal limitations that impact our ability to network. These don’t have to stop us altogether, however. Debby and Greg discuss their own limitations (mild hearing impairment) among others and offer ideas on how to work around the challenges they might present. Thank you to Linda Sattler for sparking the conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Linda Sattler, DungeonMomster, https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-sattler-ph-d-23972b61/https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-sattler-ph-d-23972b61/

Also Mentioned:

- “Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law” by Haben Girma

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[1:20] What is Greg’s favorite Thanksgiving dish?

[3:30] Personal limitations to networking – vision, hearing, etc

[6:15] Establishing a protocol: Dealing with face blindness

[8:30] Coping with hearing impairment: Being upfront

[12:00] Using names to focus their attention

[13:40] The networking challenges of a wheelchair

[17:00] Visual impairment

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

Not all networking relationships work out. If you are in one of these situations where you seem to be taking the connection more seriously than the other person, it may be time to jump ship. Greg and Debby discuss how and why you might dial back professional relationships from brief acquaintance to formal referral partnership. Thank you to David Bodner for the question that sparked the conversation this week!

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Dave Bodner, Financial Planner at Skylight Financial Group, https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmbodner/

Also Mentioned:

- Steve Hopingardner, The Exercise Coach® Perrysburg, https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevehopingardner/

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[0:15] How does Debby feel about the exercise bike?

[4:00] The formalized networking partnership.

[5:30] The importance of meeting face-to-face

[7:00] The uncomfortable conversation

[12:15] How large a network can you have?

[14:00] What would make you cut someone from your network?

[16:15] The benefits of many acquaintances.

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

Are you finding the people you need to meet when you attend your networking events? If you aren’t or you simply aren’t finding enough of them, maybe you are looking for love in all the wrong places. It all starts with knowing who you want to meet. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss one of the most crucial concepts in being a skillful networker – selecting your target market.

Thank you to good friend, Nick Suino for the question that sparked this conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Nick Suino, Co-Founder, Michigan SEO Group, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklaussuino/

Also Mentioned:

- Business Network International (BNI) - https://www.bni.com/

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[0:30] Was Debby a “Drill Mother” to Greg?

[3:00] Being focused in your networking

[4:12] Recognizing the fact that you have a market

[6:00] Are you seeking customers or referral partners

[7:16] Developing strong relationships within your groups instead of selling to them

[9:30] The two groups of people with whom you should network

[14:15] Ask the group you are trying to reach, where you can meet others like them

[14:30] Other reference tools

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/

It’s happened to all of us. You are at a networking event and someone walks up to you. You know the face, but you couldn’t say their name to save your soul. What do you do? Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the challenges they’ve faced and some of the solutions they’ve found that seem to have worked for them. Thank you to Kristin Meyer and Colleen Tankoos of the Maumee Chamber for the ideas that sparked this conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Colleen Tankoos, Assistant Director, Maumee Chamber of Commerce, http://linkedin.com/in/colleen-tankoos-295bb05

Also Mentioned:

- Linda and Darrel Frycz, Unique LED Products, https://uniqueledproducts.com/

Comments:

https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/

https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/

Listen for:

[0:45] Debby reveals she is the “Drill Mother”

[3:30] Not knowing the other person’s name.

[4:30] Wear the darn nametag!

[6:00] Make the nametag legible.

[7:30] Nametags vs Business Cards

[8:15] Verify your virtual nametag.

[9:40] Forgive them when they get it wrong or forget

[11:30] You must pay attention

[14:00] Don’t put people on the spot.

[17:30] Work with a partner

More Information:

If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/