Dealing with change lately? You might want to listen in. Our guest, Anne Bonney (not to be confused with the 18th century pirate) has a few tips on how to deal with the course corrections we’ve all had to make lately. During the conversation with Greg and Debby, she talks about a childhood spent all over the world, breaks into show tunes, and gives us literally two words of advice on how to improve your networking.

Resources:

- Get Over It!, https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08118Y7GD&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_AGAY6V5K40K835V0CG2Y

Groups Mentioned:

- National Speakers Association, Michigan Chapter, https://www.nsamichigan.com/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[7:50] The crazy twisted path she followed – including opera in the woods!

[9:05] Anne randomly breaks into show tunes.

[11:15] The value of networking

[15:30] Anne’s camper

[21:00] 3 Tips for dealing with change

[23:45] Simple advice for great networking

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)

Do you want to stand out from the networking crowd or fade into the background? Do you want to be known for something or forgotten for everything? Do you want the perfect referrals or are you hoping for leftovers? Tune in today as Greg and Debby talk about why you need to have your personal networking brand. Listener Connie Kelly offered the question that sparked the discussion.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Connie Kelly, Family Heritage, https://www.linkedin.com/in/connie-kelly-919a2827/

Also Mentioned:

- Mimi Brown, Motivational Leadership Speaker, https://www.linkedin.com/in/motivationalleadershipspeaker/

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:30] Clarifying the confusion

[3:30] They know you for the right things

[4:30] Stand out from your competition

[5:30] Create your personal brand story before someone else does.

[7:30] People will know what you stand for

[9:50] The ultimate reason for making a personal networking brand

[11:10] If you aren’t known for anything then you only get the leftovers

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)

How do you maintain your presence in the digital world and still run your business, career, or life? You could hire a marketing crew with a dedicated social media expert or you could talk with Travis Lattimore. His focus and goal in life is to provide the digital marketing tools to the little guys, so they can compete with the big guys. Debby and Greg had a chance to sit down to chat with Travis lately to learn about QR codes, landing pages, and Travis’ latest venture that he calls the Business App.

Groups Mentioned:

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

Resources Mentioned:

- Social Green Thumb, http://socialgreenthumb.com

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:54] The people who really need Travis’ help

[6:00] A cool idea for your virtual background

[9:40] The importance of networking

[15:00] Using social media in our personal networking

[21:40] The New Business App

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)

No one suspects, but Debby and Greg are both introverts. Most people are shocked to learn this. Wouldn’t you like to know the secrets behind their success at being more outgoing at the networking event? Listener Asandi Connor offered the question that sparked the discussion.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Asandi Connor, Voice Bearer, Strategist, Coach, Writer & Designer at Say It Write, https://www.linkedin.com/in/asandiconner/

Also Mentioned:

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

Resources:

- Barack Obama/Bruce Springsteen Podcast, “Renegades: Born in the USA”, https://open.spotify.com/show/42xagXCUDsFO6a0lcHoTlv?si=zeu9cV_5RtKAAFHas0UT8Q

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[3:30] Be ready to be comfortable.

[4:45] Focus on the other person.

[7:00] Be the host. Be the leader.

[9:45] Be curious: Simple question to get the conversation going.

[11:00] It doesn’t have to be about business.

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)

You know that someone who starts her design and marketing career at 5 years old has a pretty good feel for the business. Join Debby and Greg as they chat with Kerri Brimmer, Founder of Brimming Design as she reveals the project that gave her nightmares (we’re pretty sure she was joking) and the profound discovery she made the first time she attended a BNI meeting. If you aren’t feeling creative about your brand, then she’s the one who can be your creative department.

Resources:

- Monday Marketing Tips, https://brimmingdesign.com/articles/

Also Mentioned:

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

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[2:15] Who is Kerri and what does she do?

[6:05] Her work with Maumee Home-Town Heroes

[7:30] The project that gave her nightmares

[9:50] How long has Kerri been designing?

[10:55] Momentous networking discovery

[19:45] Growing an empire

[24:10] How Debby and Kerri met

[26:20] A last piece of advice: Networking tasks and goals

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)

The best way to strengthen an existing relationship is to find ways to be of service, but what if you can’t find a referral for your networking partner? Then what? The answer is that there are many ways you can be of benefit to those in your network. Join Greg and Debby as they run down a short list of the gifts you can give that don’t necessarily end in a sale.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Deanna Tucci-Schmitt, https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannatuccischmittbniwesternpa/

Also Mentioned:

- Kerri Brimmer, Brimming Design, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerri-brimmer-98467418/

Resources:

- 21-21-21 Training Course, https://connextnation.com/212121

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[3:30] Announce an event

[4:05] Personal invitation to events

[5:05] Articles for newsletter

[5:50] Interviewees for podcast

[6:30] Speaking opportunities/Speaker recommendations

[9:00] Record video testimonial/Write recommendations

[12:30] Invite to attend a conference

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

Starting her professional life at Disney World, how could our special guest, Kristin Meyer, not bring magic and Disney Sparkle to the Maumee Chamber? Join Debby and Greg (The Networking Guru and Reluctant Networker, resp.) as they chat with the Executive Director of the Maumee Chamber and discover the Walt Disney quote that has inspired her as she successfully engages colleagues, members, and guests alike.

Resources:

- Maumee Chamber of Commerce, https://maumeechamber.com/

Also Mentioned;

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

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[1:35] How to get the participants to pay attention

[5:28] Who does the Maumee Chamber serve and how?

[8:30] The momentous events: What sets them apart?

[11:00] The magic of where she began

[14:55] Bringing Disney to the Maumee Chamber

[17:00] How networking was important to her success

[21:15] Where else can we network?

[24:00] Show that you care by showing up

[25:50] Her new fun crafting toy!

[29:00] V Project

[33:00] A last piece of advice

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)

Have you run into a negative networker? They aren’t bad people necessarily, but they behave in ways sometimes that aren’t very productive when it comes to building a powerful network. It can be a real turn-off to run into one of these folks. It can also waste your precious networking time. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss how they deal with some of the negative networking behavior that they’ve experienced over the years.

Thank you to ConvoSparkers:

- Deanna Tucci-Schmitt, https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannatuccischmittbniwesternpa/

Also Mentioned:

- Lori Cannon, Edward Jones, https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorimcannon/

Resources:

- “Tell Me Exactly What to Say”, https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998876828/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_VYJ6XT6TXH0N8MWDDXKD

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[0:35] Debby the technology expert

[3:17] Redirect the script with the Negative Nelly/Nate

[9:43] Break the pattern with Chatty Cathy/Carl

[14:30] State the case with Cyborg Sue/Sam

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)

If you are only using your network to find the next sale for your business, you are missing out on some of the best benefits of building your web of relationships. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss all of the myriad other ways you might call upon your connections to improve your life.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Paul Bauer, Bauer’s Home Improvement.

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[1:30] Debby throws Greg under the bus

[3:00] The story of Grandma Dickinson

[6:30] Recommendations for personal needs

[12:15] Hidden gems in your home town

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)

Networking is about connecting, not selling. If you truly want to make a lasting connection with someone whom you meet at a networking opportunity, stop trying to pitch and start engaging in conversation. Join Greg and Debby as they talk about why you should avoid the elevator pitch and how to talk about what you do in a networking venue.

Thank you to ConvoSparker:

- Matt Sherwood, Business Development Consultant at VetBizCentral, https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-sherwood-1193583b/

Also Mentioned:

- Julie Johnson, Owner at Julie Spann Johnson State Farm, https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliecjohnson/

Resources:

Connext Nation Mini Networking Training, https://connextnation.com/mini-course

Comments:

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

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

Listen for:

[1:30] The new 12-Step organization: Chatbox Anonymous

[3:00] The flaw in the elevator pitch

[4:15] If you sound like everyone else, you are forgotten

[6:15] Manipulation leads to irritation

[7:30] One sentence and then back to them

[12:00] The difference between the 30-second commercial and a networking conversation

[19:30] Get them involved in the conversation

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)