Third Generation Networking Podcast

Whether you are at your trade association annual meeting or the local Chamber lunch, sooner or later you may find yourself sitting next to your competition. How you handle yourself reveals just how far you've come as a networker. Join the Reluctant Networker and the Networking Guru as they discuss how to turn a competitor into a colleague. Special mention: - Penny Rosema, Managing Director at Cook...

Whether or not you are the leader of a networking group or association, if you are a member, you should want the organization to be successful and that means reaching out and encouraging visitors to become new members. Debby, the Networking Guru, and Greg, the Reluctant Networker take some time to discuss a variety of activities and behaviors that can increase membership and attendance in your pro...

More listener questions! This time Debby, the Networking Guru, and Greg, the Reluctant Networker talk about one of the fundamental aspects of skillful networking - asking for the referral. Beyond simply asking, though, how do we not feel desperate when it's time to make that request? Thank you to: - Christine Steyn, Founder and Director, Dynamic Consciousness Coaching (Pty) Ltd, https://www.linked...

The Networking Guru and the Reluctant Networker (Debby and Greg, resp.) talk about the biggest obstacle to good networking. It's not finding the time or your conversational skills. It's what's going on between your ears. Join us as we discuss how to recognize your own value and control your own destiny in the world of networking. Thank you to: - Cory Thompson, Fashion Retailer, www.facebook.com/lu...

Debby and Greg (The Networking Guru and Reluctant Networker, resp.) answer listener questions about how to use social media, especially LinkedIn, in their networking practice. While by no means social media experts, both have found techniques and mindsets that have made their use of various platforms into powerful tools to expand and strengthen their existing networks. Thank you to: - Andrea Penni...

Debby and Greg (The Networking Guru and Reluctant Networker, resp.) answer listener questions about how to use social media, especially LinkedIn, in their networking practice. While by no means social media experts, both have found techniques and mindsets that have made their use of various platforms into powerful tools to expand and strengthen their existing networks. Thank you to: - Jen`ee Wilso...

Listener Randy Poll asked about how to get better results from his referral passing group. Greg (The Reluctant Networker) and Debby (The Networking Guru) discuss the specific case of getting better referrals from the group, but also how to get better results in general from your networking groups. Please comment at: https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/ https://www.facebook.com/connextna...

Listener Swatee Kulkarni submitted a couple of great questions about how to deal with awkward situations and conversations when you are networking. Greg (The Reluctant Networker) and Debby (The Networking Guru) discuss how focusing on the other person can eliminate most uncomfortable conversations. Special Mention: Don Moss, retired law enforcement professional and Financial Advisor serving the ne...

Maybe you've run into this yourself. Someone asks you to meet them for coffee. Being a good networker, you agree. When you are sitting down across from them, though, you find out that they were just using the tools of good networking to manipulate you and you are now the target of a full-on hard-sell sales pitch. Doesn't feel very good, does it? Join Greg (The Reluctant Networker) and Debby (The N...

Debby (The Networking Guru) and Greg (The Reluctant Networker) return to the studio to discuss one of the most basic networking questions: How do you choose which networking groups to join? Believe it or not, the Chamber of Commerce isn't always the right group for you. Be sure to comment at: https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/ OR https://www.facebook.com/ConnextNation/ Listen for: [2:...

Join Greg and Debby as they discuss one of the commonly misused concepts in networking -- the elevator pitch. Debby even promises to be nice about it! Thank you for the question of the day: Douglas Stout, Permaculture Enthusiast Be sure to comment at: https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/ OR https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/ Listen for: [1:50] Origins of the Elevator Pitch [3:00] D...

How do you continue to provide value to your relationships as you build them. How do you continue to provide that same value after the relationship is strong? Greg and Debby tackle this question from listener David Bodner. Listen for: [2:50] Debby and Greg disagree about what they are actually talking about. [5:00] The importance of real conversations not sales pitches [7:20] It's not always about...

A whole host of fears can stand in the way of you and your success in networking. Join Greg and Debby as they discuss how to work through or around these stumbling blocks. Listen for: [6:00] The importance of being proactive vs reactive [7:00] Dealing with the fear of technology [9:00] Why video can eliminate fears that audio alone may present [10:45] What to say when you are in the conversation [...

You have connections in your network right now that, for a variety of reasons, won't connect you with potential clients or contracts. Maybe they don't know you well enough yet to trust you with their reputation, perhaps they don't have any connections with your target market, or possibly they simply aren't yet ready to trust you with their reputation. Are they useless to you? Not hardly! Join Greg...

It's a scary time right now. News stories are telling us about the spreading COVID-19 pandemic. Whole countries are going on lockdown. Companies are banning travel for their employees. Organizations large and small are cancelling their regular gatherings and events, cutting off many of the opportunities we once had for networking. What are we supposed to do? Join Greg Peters, the Reluctant Network...

Making your networking build that bottom line -- it's what everyone wants from the hours of their lives they spend at those networking lunches, sitting across from others over coffee, or spending those precious after hours times with strangers instead of family. It's also one of the hardest things for people to do ... correctly. Join the Networking Guru and the Reluctant Networker (Debby and Greg...

When it comes to networking, are you a be-er or a do-er? The secret to success? Sometimes you have to be a little bit of both. What’s the difference? On vacation, the be-er wants to sit with a book in an outdoor café and simply be there, absorbing the feel of the place. The do-er wants to be out there exploring at all times. Touring, hiking, site-seeing are all in the list of activities for the do...

Join the Networking Guru (Debby) and the Reluctant Networker (Greg) as they continue their discussion of tips and techniques to make you successful at your next networking opportunity. Whether you are attending your Chamber Lunch, the Networking Breakfast, or the Association evening banquet, some simple strategies will help you make the connections you need to make attending more than simply "buyi...

Does this happen to you? You go to a networking event and you are surrounded by all these great and interesting people – possibly one or two who might connect you with your next great opportunity. Instead of feeling energized, though, you suddenly realize you are getting worn out So what can you do to deal with that? Here are some ideas that might help you be more successful when you do attend tho...

One of the biggest questions we run into all the time about networking is "How do I network at the Chamber Lunch?" or Association lunch or networking breakfast. Whatever the event there are rules to follow to make sure you are as successful as possible. Join Debby Peters, the Networking Guru, and Greg Peters, The Reluctant Networker, as they discuss tips and techniques to make your next networking...

There is information you can find out about a networking group by going on their website. Do the research! You need to know these factors to determine whether or not this group or this event is even a good candidate for you. Notice I said not a good “fit” but a good “candidate”. You have to go beyond that. You actually need to feel it. You need to experience it.

Think of your best friend in the world. Did you meet them yesterday? No. Have you only chatted with them for a few minutes? No. If you didn’t even know they were married, could you call yourselves friends? No. True friendships require a little bit more. Professional connections are the same way. Networking is work. It's about developing relationships, and relationships require effort. In fact, the...

Join Debby Peters, the Networking Guru, and son and business partner, Greg Peters, the Reluctant Networker as they discuss the origins of their networking expertise -- Greg's grandmother.