The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 202: “Great Opening Question”

April 27th, 2011

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Synopsis

Dr. Misner joins us from Big Bear this week, where he and his co-authors are working on Business Networking and Sex—Not What You Think.

A few months ago Dr. Misner met someone at an event who asked him a question he wasn’t prepared for: “What’s the most amazing thing that has happened to you today?”

There are several good things about this question:

  • It invites a positive answer
  • It’s specific
  • It forces you to think

Readers of Dr. Misner’s Business Networking Blog had some other good suggestions for conversation-starting questions, such as “What’s the next thing you’re looking forward to?” or “If you hadn’t decided to come to this event, where would you be instead?”

What are your great questions? Post them in the comments.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Networking Exercise
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Episode 201: “World’s Worst Networker”

April 20th, 2011

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Synopsis

Tim Houston, Area Director for BNI NYC Outer Boroughs, joins Dr. Misner today to talk about his best-selling book, The World’s Worst Networker: Lessons Learned by the Best from the Absolute Worst. Tim is part of Dr. Misner’s Author Mentoring Program for BNI directors.

There are lots of books that show people how to network properly; Tim wanted to examine the subject from the opposite perspective. The book’s contributors include Bob Burg, Susan RoAne, Michelle R. Donovan, Robyn Henderson, and Ivan Misner.

The common trait of the world’s worst networkers is a mercenary attitude. They make networking all about them. That said, the world’s worst networkers fall into three categories:

  • The Most Unwanted
  • Environmental disasters
  • Online outlaws

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Networking | Special Guests
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Discussion: 4 Comments

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Episode 200: “What’s Your Excuse for Not Following Up?”

April 13th, 2011

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Synopsis

Dr. Misner accepts no excuses for not following up with new contacts you meet at big networking events. To make it easier, he’s providing two templates, one for the “B” list and one for the “A” list.

Always remind the person who you are and where you met.

Follow up Template for “B list” contacts (those who may become valuable contacts in the future but not right away):

Jim–

My name is John Smith, and I’m the consultant who met you the other day over at the chamber.  I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed our conversation–and it sounds like you’re really doing well and staying busy.

Anyway, it was good talking to you, and if I can help you out in any way, please let me know.

John

Follow up Template for “A list” contacts (those who might become new clients or referral partners right now):

Jim–

My name is John Smith, and I’m the consultant who met you the other day at the chamber event.  I just wanted to say I really enjoyed our conversation and was hoping I could learn a little bit more about what you do.

I’m thinking we can get together for a quick cup of coffee.  That way, if I run into someone who could use your services, I can point him in your direction.  How does next Tuesday morning sound for something over at Starbucks?

Again, great talking to you, and if I can help your business in any way, please let me know.

John

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Networking
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Discussion: 4 Comments

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Listen to the BNI Podcast on Your BlackBerry

April 12th, 2011

At the request of a BNI member, we submitted The Official BNI Podcast to the BlackBerry Podcast directory, and you can now listen to the show on your BlackBerry smartphone. Just install the BlackBerry podcast app on your phone and search for “The Official BNI Podcast.” Click the “add podcast channel” button on the bottom right of the screen to subscribe and get new episodes on your BlackBerry each week.

Published In: Announcements
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Episode 199: “Sorting Out Who’s Who”

April 6th, 2011

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Synopsis

How often have you come home from a large networking event with a huge stack of business cards and wondered, “Now what?” Here are some tips for sorting out your potential prospects and referral partners from the rest.

  1. Make a note of something you discussed on the back of the business card right after you talk to the person. If this is not appropriate in your culture, keep a small notebook handy to jot down a few words next to the person’s name.
  2. Divide the most immediate prospects into one pile and the less immediate prospects into another.
  3. Enter the first group into your contact database and send a quick note by either e-mail or snail mail. Try to set up a meeting for coffee or some other fairly immediate follow-up meeting to find out how you can help them.
  4. Send another message to your less immediate prospects, even if you don’t set up a meeting.

Next week’s podcast will provide some specific examples of follow-up notes to these two groups of contacts.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Business Cards | Networking
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Discussion: 5 Comments

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