Third Generation Networking Podcast

You don’t need customers, so you don’t need to network, right? Wrong! Our network is for much more than just generating sales and we forget that at our peril. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss why you should be networking for more than just the bottom line. Thank you to Linda Sattler, the DungeonMomster for the question that sparked this conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

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

Also Mentioned:

- Cami Szirotnyak, Millennial Business Strategist, Coach, and Writer, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sziroth/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:00] Do we need networking when we are at capacity

[3:30] Smoothing the feast and famine cycle

[4:50] Beware the networking gap

[6:10] The reasons to join your professional association

[9:30] You aren’t networking. You are information gathering

[10:20] Engage in next-level networking to be of value to your network

More Information:

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

Even during the best of times it's easy to let your networking contacts slip through the cracks in your memory. Guess what? If you aren't thinking about them, they probably aren’t thinking about you either. How can you stay connected? Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the techniques they use to keep themselves relevant in the minds of their networking contacts. Thank you to Kathy Harper for the question that sparked the conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Kathy Harper, Independent Editor, Indexer, Writer, and Researcher, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kharper4/

Also Mentioned:

- Julie Sumner, Monarch Endeavors, https://www.monarchendeavorsllc.com/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:20] What’s Debby doing with all that cantaloupe?

[4:00] How do we remember our network?

[5:00] Taking notes when talking. What to capture.

[6:00] Seeking ways to be of service

[9:00] Using stories to remember

[11:30] Using the Connect 5 system

[16:00] Turning the birthday reminder into a conversation

More Information:

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

You’ve worked so hard to build your network. You’ve attended the meetings, made the time for coffee or lunch with new and old connections, gone to the effort to pass referrals, recommendations, and value to the members of your network. Why would you try to destroy it? Join the Networking Guru and the Reluctant Networker as they discuss the mistakes they’ve seen that can really put the kibosh on your networking relationships.

Thank you to ConvoSparkesr:

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

Also Mentioned:

- David Mattie, 4th Grade Teacher at John Allen Elementary, https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mattie-aa82528b/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:30] Debby reveals the secrets of her teaching style

[4:30] Dealing with the aggressively salesy networking partner

[7:15] Interrupting the script

[9:05] Setting expectations up front

[11:50] The dangers of the sales focus

[13:42] Failure to show gratitude

[15:05] Debby’s tortured childhood (writing thank you notes)

[17:20] Our desperate need for approval

[19:20] Violating the culture of the organization

[22:30] Letting technology break the in-person connection

More Information:

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

Attending a networking event, whether in-person or remotely, can be fraught with discomfort for even the skillful networker. Listen to Debby and Greg discuss simple techniques you can use to make your time at the next business gathering be more efficient and effective. Sometimes it’s merely a matter of knowing what to do when. Big thanks to Doug Stout and Nicole Dietrich for their questions which sparked the conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparkers:

- Doug Stout, Retired, https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-p-stout-a2934736/

Also Mentioned:

- Jeremy Dannheisser, Area Director BNI Johannesburg North, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-dannheisser-119201/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[0:35] How to stand out to the guest speaker.

[3:00] Debby admits she is the cause for Greg’s desperation to be loved by the audience.

[3:50] How table networking is different from open networking.

[6:10] What to do in the final minutes.

[8:55] How do you deal with challenging session setups.

[10:45] No “Netsitting”.

[11:30] Follow-up without all the information.

[14:15] Adapting to a virtual networking opportunity

More Information:

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

Attending a networking event, whether in-person or remotely, can be fraught with discomfort for even the skillful networker. Listen to Debby and Greg discuss simple techniques you can use to make your time at the next business gathering be more efficient and effective. Sometimes it’s merely a matter of knowing what to do when. Big thanks to Doug Stout and Nicole Dietrich for their questions which sparked the conversation.

Thank you to ConvoSparkers:

- Doug Stout, Retired, https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-p-stout-a2934736/

Also Mentioned:

- Jeremy Dannheisser, Area Director BNI Johannesburg North, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-dannheisser-119201/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:20] Seasoned networkers still get nervous walking into a room of strangers

[4:40] Attending a new event or group

[5:30] Look for an open pair and ask for help

[7:50] Be ready with your open-ended questions

[8:40] Ask them about their title and what it really means

[10:30] Ask about the culture of the group

[14:10] Show up early!

[17:15] What to do when the guest speaker is speaking

[17:45] Greg does what Debby told him to do in the first place.

More Information:

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

Greg (the Reluctant Networker) and Debby (the Networking Guru) pull back the curtain on some of the many networking mistakes they’ve made over the years. Misplaced names, forgotten faces, and private information publicly revealed. It’s all part and parcel of decades of a networking practice that sometimes doesn’t go as smoothly as you would like.

Mentioned:

- Keith Hafner’s Karate, https://karateisgoodforyou.com/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[0:45] Greg’s big personal achievement

[1:45] Goals and mechanisms

[4:20] Mistake #1: Mixing up people in your network.

[6:30] Spreading false rumors accidentally.

[7:30] Mistake #2: Selling at the networking event

[11:30] Mistake #3: Sharing unconfirmed private information.

[14:00] Mistake #4: Forgetting their face

[17:15] Techniques to recover their name.

[19:45] Most forgive your errors. Some won’t.

More Information:

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

What is success in networking? Is it coming home with a signed contract? Is it showing up for the Chamber of Commerce networking lunch? Something in between? It turns out, the measurement of achievement is something more personal. Join Debby (The Networking Guru) and Greg (The Reluctant Networker) as they respond to listener Ken Rates about how we can determine success in our networking practice.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Ken Rates, Administrative Manager Intermediate at Michigan Medicine, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethrates/

Also Mentioned:

- Rebecca Booth, Marketing Goddess, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[4:00] Greg’s first networking failure/success

[5:20] Being aware of the nature of early success.

[6:30] The baby steps to networking success.

[8:25] Even experienced networkers have to adjust expectations in a new situation.

[10:05] A new context may require new training.

[12:40] Greg’s early failure at one-to-one meetings.

[15:50] How Debby measures success/failure in one-to-ones.

[17:56] Debby’s networking lag makes her sound like a space alien.

More Information:

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

Does size really matter? Our listener, Marcy Bell asked us whether large or small events are fundamentally better for new networkers. Greg and Debby discuss a number of different aspects of networking events that can contribute to networking success. Check in to see whether the events you're attending are the ones that are going to work for you.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Marcy Bell, President, Bell's Landscape Services, Inc, https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcy-bell-a5090a3a/

Also Mentioned:

- Kristin Meyer, Executive Director, 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:

[2:25] The first answer: It depends

[3:20] Where does your personality make you comfortable?

[4:35] It’s not the size, it’s your goal.

[6:40] Maybe you don’t even have to go to the event.

[7:45] Greg and Debby compare humorous memes they’ve seen recently.

[10:45] Using the chat box to connect with fellow virtual attendees

[12:20] How the structure of the event makes a difference with networking success

More Information:

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

When the person sitting across the table (or Zoom call) asks the all important question, "So, how can I help you?" are you ready? Most people don't have a good answer and most people aren't getting what they want out of their networking. Take a few moments now to create a long list of possible requests. To make it easy, follow the 5 S's.

Our good friend and listener, Ernie Lewis, posed our question of the week. It's a topic that is probably on the minds of a lot of people. "With the pandemic still going on, is it too early to go back to networking?" The short answer is, of course "Yes and No". If you'd like to hear more about what that means and why networking is still important, check out this week's podcast. Also featured: Debby's greatest networking achievement.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Ernie Lewis, Business Coach, E.A.Lewis Consulting, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ealewisconsulting/

Also Mentioned:

- Michelle Sayegh, Business Broker at Transworld Business Advisors. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-sayegh-54331663/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:30] The simple answer: "No"

[4:25] The few in-persons remaining are different

[6:52] Very large vehicle driving past

[9:03] Networking has changed. Use the tools

[10:13] The opportunities in the new virtual networking world

[11:34] Debby's greatest networking achievement

More Information:

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