The Official BNI Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

Dr. Misner is about to start his book tour for Business Networking and Sex—Not What You Think, which is about gender differences in networking. One of his co-authors focused on the man’s perspective, one on the woman’s perspective, while Dr. Misner took the networking expert’s perspective.

One of the important questions the book addresses is “Are men and women really so different?”

Both men and women want business from networking and both are willing to work hard to get it. But they approach it in different ways, and need to learn the style of the opposite sex.

Here are some tips for women dealing with men:

• When asking for help, communicate clearly what you want
• When speaking to men, try to impress them and share your accomplishments
• When spoken to inappropriately, speak up immediately. Don’t accept it.
• Convey an image that you’re a serious business person at all times.

For men dealing with women:

• Slow down. Build the relationship.
• Don’t assume that women don’t take their business seriously.
• Edit what you’re about to say. Filter out anything that’s not business-appropriate.
• Remember that women are at networking events for the same reason you are: to get business.

Find out more about the book here.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

There’s no need to wait for a class reunion to network with your former classmates. Admittedly Dr. Misner has never passed a referral to any of the other 9 people in his first graduate school class, but he’s more connected to his high school classmates today than he was 10 years ago, thanks to Facebook and Twitter.

Here are three steps to help you reconnect to old school friends.

1. Contact your school’s alumni services department
2. Reconnect using online networks (e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook)
3. Seek referrals GENTLY. People will un-friend you if you adopt a pushy, hard-sell approach. It’s usually safe to announce a special event occasionally.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

This episode is a rebroadcast of Episode 173.

What do you say when someone asks you what you do? You need to be prepared, and you need to have something quick and interesting. You need a Unique Selling Proposition.

Don’t just say “I’m a consultant.” Say “I work with small businesses to help them attract more clients than anyone could possibly handle.”

The Referral Institute’s USP is “We help people work less, make more, and create referrals for life.”

The natural response to a USP like this is to say “How do you do that?”

Your assignment this week is to come up with a USP for your business and share it here in the comments. Then share it with your BNI chapter.

Once you’ve tested your USP, come back and tell us how it worked and whether you changed it for a better effect.

Read the complete transcript on Episode 173.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Synopsis

Networking vampires are people who aren’t trying to add value, only to make sales. These are the people who use networking events as a form of face-to-face cold calling. They can suck the life out of your networking experience.

So how do you deal with the people who are only out for what they can get from you? Unfortunately, most aren’t open to learning that networking is more like farming than like hunting, so you need to find a way to extricate yourself before the vampire sucks up too much of your time. If you attend events with your spouse, you can pre-arrange a signal so the other person can rescue you.

Read more about networking vampires on Dr. Misner’s business networking blog.

Have you encountered a networking vampire? Leave a comment to tell us what happened and how you handled it.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode