Third Generation Networking Podcast

Networking is a marathon, not a sprint and no one exemplifies this one better than Heidi Hooper. She tells the story of connections she made in her early life as a restaurant server coming back to benefit her in her work with Ultimate Air Shuttle. Join Debby and Greg as they chat with Heidi about the tips she has for making better connections for the long haul. Resources: - Meiers-Briggs Test, htt...

Our guest today claims that the greatest compliment one of his clients paid him was that he doesn’t seem like an insurance agent. Maybe that’s because he’s also an accidental digital marketing expert. In a wide-ranging conversation with Greg and Debby, Jayson tells about his winding path to starting his second business, how kids can make live video way more exciting, and the one piece of advice th...

Do you know when it’s safe to interrupt another conversation at the networking event? It’s been a while since we’ve been in person to network. Some of us may have forgotten the conversational tools to be successful when at one of these gatherings. Join Debby and Greg as they talk about the one behavior that can destroy your reputation when we return to in-person networking. Thank you to ConvoSpark...

Are you an introvert, too? Sometimes, those of us who don’t get our energy from being in a crowd can feel like we aren’t adequate to the task of networking. That doesn’t have to be the case. Take our guest today, Lori Cannon – self-admitted introvert with a lead foot (which led to a better connection at one point). She has proven to be tremendously successful as a networker and financial planner b...

What do you do when you are trying to grow your business, but can’t find a networking group that serves your target market? Why, if you are Michelle Pommeranz, you make your own. For the past two years, despite the pandemic, Michelle has been running a monthly networking gathering called “Hump Day Happy Hour”. When we could still meeting in person, she had themed refreshments and great speakers. D...

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 improv...

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 Convo...

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 l...

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://...

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 ab...

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...

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 gues...

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...

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. - Kevin Fall, Contractor - Ian Hafner, Musici...

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 Develo...

How do you go from corporate marketing to answering a challenge to face paint your own face every day for a year? Join Greg as he chats with Diane Spadola, Connext Nation graduate and Chief Encouragement Officer. Along the way, we find out about her double pandemic pivot and her one-sentence/one-paragraph relationship marketing plan. Resources: - Website: https://www.accelerateyoursuccessprogram.c...

It’s good to know where you stand in each of your networking relationships. Equally important, though, is to know what to do with that information. One of the biggest challenges we face in networking is in asking too much of our connections. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss what you can ask at each level of the relationship without worrying about burning that connection. Mentioned in this Episo...

We have been so inundated with advertising in our everyday lives that it’s hard to avoid the feeling that every contact is someone who wants something from us. How do we get past this mental barrier when we are the ones reaching out to network? Join Greg and Debby as they talk about the techniques they’ve found to get past the “cold call” wall. Thank you to ConvoSparkers: - Linda Sattler, Dungeon...

We’ve been doing this remote networking thing for almost a year now. With an abundance of caution for many of us, this means Zoom events, Zoom coffees, and Zoom conferences. Once you have the technology in place, how do you make sure the networking is still working? Join Greg and Debby as they discuss the techniques that have been working well for them. Mentioned in this edpisode: - Steve Hopingar...

Serendipitous referrals can be a wonderful surprise. Unfortunately, you can’t count on them to be there every week or month over the course of the year. How can you eliminate the unreliable results from everyday run-of-the-mill networking? Referral Teammates! Join Debby and Greg as they talk about these valuable members of your network, what qualities to consider in such a close relationship, and...

The members of your network range from your newest acquaintances to those whom you’ve known for years and are in your inner circle – and everything in between. The level of each relationship defines the level of benefits you can gain from that connection. Ask too much and you can damage that connection, ask too little and you could be wasting an opportunity. So, wouldn’t it be nice if you could an...

Having conversations with your networking contacts is great, but it’s not enough. You need to capture and act on the information you gain from every networking opportunity. Unless you have a photographic memory, you’ll need some other techniques to be successful. Join Debby and Greg as they discuss what methods they use to keep track of their networking connections. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Ch...

What’s a simple step you can take to warm up your connections in any group? Sponsor an event – and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss why you should be getting on the sponsorship train and how you can make it work to build your network within the group. Thank you to ConvoSparker: - Kristin Meyer, Executive Director at Maumee Chamber Of Commerce, https://www.link...

You are an expert in your field. People would love to hear about your perspective and how you understand the world from your unique point of view. What a great opportunity for networking! Now you just need one or two tools to make your efforts go more smoothly. Join Greg and Debby as they go in-depth to discuss one of those tools – your introduction. It might not seem like much, but it can make a...

The members of your network are more than just representatives of their jobs or businesses. They are real people with needs and wishes that go beyond the bottom line at work. Join Greg and Debby as we discuss a few creative ideas on other ways we can be of benefit to our network. Mentioned in this episode: - Patty Cavins, Owner of HGA Consulting, https://www.linkedin.com/in/patty-cavins-b651124a/...