Third Generation Networking Podcast

As the old Andy Williams song goes “It’s that time of year…” when we all come together to network and be a little more social. We enjoy the food and sometimes spirits and, in general, enjoy the lighter side of networking. We need to be careful, though, because there are pitfalls waiting to ensnare the unwary. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss best practices when dealing with the end of year even...

Staffing your booth at the Business Expo can be a venue for success, or a monumental waste of time, depending on how you approach it. Listen as Debby and Greg discuss their recent experiences at the Maumee Chamber of Commerce Business to Business Expo. Learn the behaviors they witnessed that could lead to or limit the vendor’s success at the event. Also Mentioned: - Kristin Meyer, Executive Direct...

Becoming a member of a Referral Passing group can be a huge payoff to your networking efforts… Or it could be a giant waste of time. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss the benefits of these types of groups and the process you should follow to maximize your chances of success. Resources: - 52 Connection Tips, http://52ConnectionTips.com Groups Mentioned: - Business Network International (BNI) - ht...

What happens when you lose in your first election to public office? Do you quit? Or do you decide that you need to make better connections in your community and try again? Join us as we interview Barry VanHoozen and learn how he combines a legacy of service, friendships from over the years, and a simple piece of advice from his daughter into success in business and politics. Resources: - Dale Carn...

If you’ve ever attended a networking event, whether a Chamber lunch, Association conference, or social after hours, you’ve likely met this person. They are the Deck Dealer. Their sole goal, it seems, is to rid themselves of as many of their own business cards as possible. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss why this process doesn’t work and how you can deal with them. Mentioned: - Louise Kahle - L...

The underlying activity in any great networking practice is the art of making introductions. If you aren’t connecting new people to your network, then you probably aren’t networking. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss the three different types of introductions and how to navigate each one. Mentioned: - Tim Householder, Owner, Timothy Wells Photography, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-householder-...

Our guest this week is currently a successful realtor in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director of the Rocky River Chamber. Prior to that she martialed the people she knew to uncover and land an amazing job in the Chicago area. What does that all have in common? Networking, of course! Join Greg and Debby as they chat with Liz Manning on the secrets to her success i...

Robbie Samuels is a multi-passionate entrepreneur or what some would call a “multi-hyphenate.” In his case, this means he's a professional speaker – business growth strategy coach – virtual event design consultant – executive Zoom producer – emcee – podcast host – author – and virtual presentation skills trainer. He has been recognized as a “networking expert” by Harvard Business Review, Forbes, a...

Our good friend Andrew Stainbrook stopped by our virtual studio to chat with Debby and Greg. He tells us how a failed aptitude test led to his success as a business owner. He gave us a few tips that have served him well as he built his business and one very important tactic on how to keep your data safe. We also talk about the thrills of board games and mountain biking. Yes, he’s that kind of comp...

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Networking is more than just a means to get more business. It can also be a resource to help you grow in your personal and professional pursuits. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss how your web of connection can support you through mentoring, shifting careers, or even as you advance up the corporate ladder. Also Mentioned: - Parker Sherman, Communicati...

Gayla Scrivener joins Debby and Greg to talk about building the business she wanted to support the lifestyle she chose. She shares how her first big networking experience forged the path for her business and talks about the challenge of having great SEO for the wrong reasons. Resources: - Scrivener Solutions, https://scrivenersolutions.com/ - Gayla Scrivener Show, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/pod...

For many of us, it’s been a while since we’ve gone to a networking event in person. It’s just possible that we’ve forgotten some of the tricks and techniques that once served us so well. Join Debby and Greg as they review some of the simple things we can do, before, during, and after, in order to have a more successful networking experience when we suddenly find ourselves once again face-to-face....

Join Greg and Debby as they welcome special guest Penny Rosema. Penny combines business and technical savvy with experience to show others how they can get more of what they want in any negotiation. She helped us see that negotiations have more in common with networking than you might think. Listen as she tells us one of the most important things you should negotiate for when you are looking for a...

For some of us it’s been a while since we’ve been networking at a real, live in-person event. Some of the skills that we’ve built up to help us thrive in those venues may not be as sharp as once they were. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss some of the challenging behaviors they’ve seen and how you can avoid having them happen to you (or worse, actually doing them yourself). Also Mentioned: - Eli...

“I don’t know what to say!” We hear that all the time. Having that mindset certainly can get in the way of networking success, but how can you get around it. I mean, if you aren’t talking then it isn’t a conversation, right? Join introverts Greg and Debby Peters as they talk about the challenges of being your authentic self and still being successful in a networking venue. Listener Asandi Connor o...

What do you have in common? Do you have the same hobbies, similar upbringing, or favorite books? Here's another one: Do you know the same people? Join Debby and Greg as they talk about how the people we know can be a common point of interest when we connect with a new networking partner. Further learn how they might even be the ones who can connect us in the first place! Thank you to ConvoSparker:...

After the business card and a pen, what is the most valuable networking tool? The invitation! Inviting another person to a networking opportunity or even simply to a gathering that might be of interest to them can make a huge difference in strengthening and solidifying an existing connection. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss this magic-seeming tool and learn how you, too, can be a firework! Res...

It’s hard to make the connection with others unless you recognize the value that you bring to the table. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss the importance of continuing to connect even after you think you are getting everything you need and how to understand that the benefits you bring to others go beyond simply finding them a new client. Also Mentioned: - Tita Arroyo, Health Coach, https://www.l...

Sometimes it takes a real number cruncher to recognize the power of networking. Join Debby and Greg as we chat with our South African connection, Eduan Snyman. He reveals his journey from engineer to entrepreneurial success using the precepts of great networking. Resources: - Email: esnyman@basecloudglobal.com Groups Mentioned: - BNI, http://bni.com Comments: https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantN...

The Covid pandemic and the resulting reliance on remote communication technologies has made the world a smaller place. Case in point, this week Greg and Debby chat with Dalene Allen who lives and works in Nova Scotia. She is the Executive Director of BNI Maritimes. As a self-professed reticent networker, she’s learned a few tricks to make it easy to strike up a conversation at a networking opportu...

Have you considered adding public speaking to your networking repertoire? You should! Join Greg and Debby this week as they talk about some of the reasons why and a few techniques you can use to make it more successful. And, no, none of those techniques is about imagining your audience in their underwear! Also Mentioned: - Terry Brennan, Gym on the Park, https://www.facebook.com/thegymonthepark -...

Our guest this week is both the Executive Director of the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce and a freshly-minted (and happy) Dog Mom. While the latter doesn’t really help us understand how to make connections, the former definitely does. Having the opportunity to watch people network “in the wild” she has a pretty good feel for what works and what doesn’t when you show up to the networking event. Jo...

Our jobs, our businesses, they keep us so busy, how do you chase that next referral or the next referral source? It seems like if we take our eyes off the ball for even a minute, we suddenly find ourselves in the dreaded feast or famine cycle. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss some of the tactics to develop your referral relationships while you do your work. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Connie K...

Our guest has surmounted formidable obstacles in her life, but, according to her, the network of connections she’s developed over the years was always there to support her. In one case, when she suddenly found herself without employment, she received 18 job offers without having to send out a resume. Join Debby and Greg as they chat with Krisi Vadnais who not only is an amazing networker, but is a...

You want to know a few good ideas about networking? You should talk to the guy whose business it is to create opportunity for thousands of business people to connect and help each other through passing referrals. We did! Join us this time as we chat with Jason Madasz, the Executive Director of Business Network International (BNI) Northwest Ohio. Learn great tips on networking and also where this n...