Third Generation Networking Podcast

Join Debby and Greg as they chat with Dave Litzenberg, financial advisor, baseball fan, and founder of one of the first fully virtual BNI Chapters. When faced with the challenge of finding a chapter that didn’t already have a financial advisor (very rare), Dave decided to get in on the ground floor of a brand new group. Listen to his journey and his networking advice. Also Mentioned: - Carol Picke...

Do you love being in the crowd and talking with everyone in the room? You are probably an extrovert. Do you prefer to have deeper conversations with one or two people on the edges? You are probably an introvert. Guess what? No matter which side of the fence you find yourself, you bring strengths to the networking table. You can also learn a lesson or two from those on the other side of the fence....

You’re sitting at your desk and the phone rings. “Hi, this is Bob. Are we still getting together?” Like an icy hand clutching your heart you suddenly realize that you’ve missed an appointment. Now what? Join Greg and Debby as they discuss their personal experiences being on both sides of the equation, because, if you haven’t been there yet, there’s a very high likelihood you will be in the future....

Tune in today to find out how a visit to Debby’s favorite restaurant prompted a discussion about proper etiquette around asking for donations and responding to the same. If you are part of a networking group, don’t be surprised if you find yourself on the receiving end of one of these requests. If you are in a leadership position within such a group, don’t be surprised if you are the one doing the...

You don’t become the CEO of a national service organization without picking up a few ideas on good networking practice. Join Debby and Greg as they chat this week with their guest, Tracey Edwards, CEO of National Exchange Club. From the time she was a teenager she has come to realize the importance of relationships in achieving your goals and how vital it is to be adaptable in the face of change i...

It might be only Spring right now, but Summer is coming and with it is often a gap in networking opportunities. Many groups take the Summer off and plan to come back strong in September. That’s fine for them, but you know what happens when there is a gap in your networking efforts – there’s a corresponding gap in your networking results! Join Debby and Greg as they discuss some tips on what you ca...

Becoming complacent in networking is a dangerous and slippery slope. It can lead to lapses in your practice that before you know it result in gaps in your results. For our success, we need to be on guard against this malaise in any of its forms. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss some of the emotions that can lead to this complacency and some of the actions you can do to get past them. Thank you...

You walk into a new networking group and instead of a warm welcome, you get the cold shoulder. How do you deal with a networking situation when the group seems determined to keep you on the outside. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the possible mechanisms you might use to break into a group – and when you shouldn’t bother. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Milva Wagner, Director at The Center for No...

For many of us, our purpose for networking is to build our business. We are looking for referrals to new clients all the time. That being the case, we probably need a good process for cultivating those who are best able to help us. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss how to nurture your existing referral sources and possibly recruit some new one from unexpected places. Thank you to ConvoSparker: -...

Greg and Debby turn their focus this week on the question of how large a network one person really needs. Do you need to connect with thousands of people in order to be successful? Or is it sufficient to simply focus on the few really close connections in order to achieve your goals? Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Chanel DeGuzman, Global Engagement Consultants, https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanel-f-d...

Getting referrals is great. Getting referrals on a regular basis is even better. To do so we need to cultivate and work with a “Referral Partner” – someone who is a part of our team even though we don’t work in the same business. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss this important connection, how to initiate it and how to continue to develop and strengthen that relationship. Thank you to ConvoSpark...

If you don’t enjoy the feast and famine cycle and you want your networking reputation to stand out, you must be consistent in its practice. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the techniques they use to maintain their regular networking behavior and how Debby now doesn’t even think about the system she uses. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Jason Madasz, BNI Northwest Ohio Executive Director, https://...

It’s challenging to run an event of any kind. It’s even harder to run one where the attendees feel welcomed, engaged, and like they’ve found their new home. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss the tips and techniques they’ve seen which take a networking event to the next level. Mentioned: - Kathey Batey, Domestic Mediator, Creator Divorce Support Anonymous, https://www.linkedin.com/in/katheybatey/...

Sometimes when you join a networking group it can feel like you are lost in the crowd. What can you do to stand out? Put yourself in a leadership position! Join Debby and Greg as they discuss their experiences with leadership as a networking tool and hear about some of the benefits they’ve received (including to their bottom line). Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Jason Madasz, BNI Northwest Ohio Exec...

One of the biggest myths of networking is the idea that you have to have 20,000 people in your contact list in order to be successful. In reality, most networkers can achieve their referral dreams by developing deep relationships with relatively few connections. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss this counter-intuitive idea on networking practice. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Jason Madasz, BNI No...

You’ve got your logo on your shirt and you’ve introduced yourself. Why do you need to bother with a nametag? After all the sticky ones just seem to fall off and the pinned ones risk you piercing your own flesh. Not good! People should just remember you, right? The problem is, they don’t (for a variety of reasons). Listen as Debby and Greg talk about how your networking is damaged if you don’t have...

We sent out a general request for questions to answer for upcoming podcast episodes, we received a few good responses. Our guest this week, instead of giving us questions, sent us a list of his experiences, both positive and negative. Join Debby and Greg as they welcome Shawn Sanders, musician, office equipment expert, and rock star networker as he shares his journey and the lessons we should take...

For our hundredth episode, we couldn’t have asked for a better guest. Our good friend and highly successful speaker, Mimi Brown, joins us to talk about connecting when you can, giving before you receive, and kickboxing. Join us to get more Mimi in your life! Mentioned: - Marilynn Semonick, CSP, http://www.marilynnsemonick.com/ Resources: - Contact Mimi Brown  Amp Up Success: https://www.ampup...

Networking has evolved over the last forty years and especially in the last couple. What behaviors have stuck around and what has changed? What mistakes are we still making? Join Debby and Greg as they talk about the changes they have seen in their experience and how to keep an eye out for new opportunities. Mentioned: - Deb Olejownik, Coaching with HEART, https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-olejown...

Debby turns the tables on Greg and mines his experience as a professional speaker to help us be better when we present virtually. Whether a full hour-long informational program, a ten-minute BNI presentation, or a 60-second self-introduction, you can always make yourself more engaging and interesting to your networking audience. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Amy Cantor, Diamond Wellness Essentials,...

When you network, you will find yourself in the presence of some truly wonderful people – people who will be looking out for you and may be the path to your future success. You will also come into contact with people who may annoy the heck out of you. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss three different types of nemeses you may encounter in your networking career. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Amy C...

You need a little help to achieve your new year’s goals, but you aren’t sure of your next step. The good news is, you have someone in your network who might be able to help. The bad news is, you haven’t spoken with them in a while. How do you get past the yawning chasm of your negligence to renew your relationship and not feel like a slimy creep doing it? Join Debby and Greg as they discuss the te...

It’s not always easy walking into a networking event by yourself. In fact, sometimes it feels almost like your first middle school dance with you standing alone in the corner and all the cool kids having fun out on the floor. One thing that can help with this feeling and coincidentally increase your success at the event, is the simple act of bringing a partner. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss...

A few episodes ago, Greg and Debby talked about how to deal with people who tried to force their business card on you at a networking event. Thanks to Connext Nation alumnus, Amy Cantor, for prompting us to this conversation about what we should do with our cards. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Amy Cantor, Diamond Wellness Essentials, https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-cantor-7564777/ Also Mentioned: -...

How do you get the conversation past the simple query of name and title? Debby and Greg (The Networking Guru and Reluctant Networker, resp.) discuss different approaches to the process with the focus on creating a strong opening to a potentially mutually beneficial connection. Listener Asandi Connor offered the question that sparked the discussion. Mentioned: - Derek Mehraban, Founder Ingenex Digi...