Episodes

Episode 7 is the last show of 2021. Over the past 12 months, I’ve had sixteen different guests, and each of them have had their own unique approach to networking. Some of the women I spoke to were born to network, some were terrified but overcame that fear, and some are still afraid of networking but have found ways to work around their fear…and have amassed a huge community as a result. In this episode, I reflect on the wisdom each guest has shared throughout the two seasons. I also talk about what my first episode of 2022 is going to be about. It should be insightful…and fun…so I hope you’ll tune in!

Show Transcript

Each Connect and Bloom episode is transcribed using Otter.ai. While our team is busy correcting typos where possible, it’s inevitable that some mistakes will be missed. (We’re only human!) With this in mind, please forgive any errors when reviewing transcripts, and feel free to report any issues here.

I can’t believe this is the last episode of 2021. In some ways, this year just flew by! Over the past 12 months, I’ve had sixteen different guests, and each of them have had their own unique approach to networking. Some of the women I spoke to were definitely born to network, some were terrified but overcame that fear, and some are still afraid of networking but have found ways to work around their fear… and have amassed a huge network as a result.

What I found interesting, though, was that every single one of them said that networking at its core was all about relationship building. Despite what many may think,the experts agree that it’s not about trying to get new business or score a deal — but simply about developing a relationship with someone, nurturing that relationship by mutually supporting each other, and watching it blossom into something meaningful.

 Another key theme I found my guests brought up consistently was curiosity. Being genuinely interested in the person you are speaking with is the key to networking both successfully and authentically. It’s as simple as this: Finding out who a person is, and what they are all about, really matters when it comes to developing relationships.

Didn’t get a chance to listen to each episode? Curiosity piqued? Then you might enjoy hearing some highlights — and a few of my favourite moments — starting from the most recent episode to the very beginning of Season 1.

Season 2, Episode 6: Julie Brown

Julie talks about Robin Dunbar’s theory that people can only have 150 stable social relationships. She disputes this because, well, it’s 2021. We now have social media, email, reliable internet, and robust CRM databases that prompt us to connect. Another thing she talks about that I thought was so interesting is how to divide up those 150+ relationships into 4 circles, and how to nurture the relationships within those circles. The funny thing is that your closest ties (the first circle) aren’t the ones that are going to help you get that new business deal or promotion. Studies have shown that’s not the case — it’s the weak ties that are the greatest asset to your network.

Season 2, Episode 5: Stacey Berry 

Stacey has so many great nuggets to share — like how to network when you are doing a digital detox, and how body language (for example, the way you stand and the way you position your feet) is so critical to making someone feel listened to. She also talks about how developing your public speaking skills is invaluable to networking.

Season 2, Episode 4: Tracey Bissett 

Tracey probably has the largest network out of all my guests. And with such a large network, you have to find a strategy to nurture those relationships. For Tracey, one big one is taking just 15 minutes out of your day to connect with those people. For example, take the time to wish an acquaintance a happy birthday, like or comment on a new connection’s post, congratulate a previous colleague on a big event or promotion. And if you think it’s silly, get over it (Tracey’s words… not mine!) But the truth is, small acts of connection like this can effectively help build a large network. And Quick Tip! If you are looking to connect with someone in a certain field, Tracey probably knows just the right person to introduce you to.

Season 2, Episode 3: Angela Payne 

As an EQ expert, networking for Angela means being in close proximity to someone when she’s trying to make a connection. During COVID, she had to rethink what it meant to create that in-person feeling. She shares some tips on how she was able to do just that, and I have to say I’ve definitely implemented her strategies into my online meetings with great success.

Season 2, Episode 2: Marguerite Orane
If you’ve ever been in a room with Marguerite, you’ll know that she radiates joy and happiness. And yes, her positivity definitely comes across in the podcast. She talks about something I never considered before: She strongly believes that if you meet someone at an event and they don’t make you feel joyful, move on. A native Jamaican, Marguerite shares how Jamaicans network quite differently than Canadians, and I have to say there seems to be a lot of Joy when it comes to networking in Jamaica.

Season 2, Episode 1: Leslie Hughes
In this episode, Leslie teaches us all about Linkedin — in particular: how to use Linkedin as a networking tool, what kind of content to post, and when and how this can help grow your network. She also shares some great tips about how not to use LinkedIn. After the podcast, she invited me to talk about networking on her show, Let’s talk about…. Check out the show notes to find the link!

Season 1, Episode 10: Manjula Selverajah
One of my favourite guests to speak with had to be Manjula Selvarajah. A skilled journalist and natural networker, she started a group called Tamil Women Rising — an organization that’s all about empowering and supporting women in the Tamil community (and all female-identifying communities). She talks about what to do if you get nervous at an event and how not to take it personally if you don’t connect with someone.

Season 1, Episode 9: Sandra Pellegrini 

Have you heard of the Wengage app? It’s an idea that came to Sandra when she was on a business trip in the Yukon, sitting in a restaurant all alone. She knew there were so many other amazing women out there that she’d love to meet, but she didn’t know how to connect with them. And that’s how the idea for Wengage was born. In this episode, we chat about the app as a way to connect women when they are alone in another city, among many other networking strategies.

Season 1, Episode 8: Jean Kim 

Co-Founder of “Live Your Potential”, Jean talks to us about how important personal branding is when it comes to networking. She also reminds us that just because your friend is an extrovert and a social butterfly, it doesn’t mean that she’s good at networking. The reality is, there are fundamental skills you need to have to be a networking pro.

Season 1, Episode 7: Jackie Porter 

This episode has lots of laughs. Jackie and I talk about how you need to feed people at your event if it’s at dinnertime… otherwise, you’re going to have some cranky attendees. I’ve definitely experienced this, have you? Another funny story she shares is when she talks about how you can network anywhere. She says she even does business naked in the ladies’ change room at the gym. I’m not surprised, Jackie is the definition of fearless.

Season 1, Episode 6: Deborah Rosati 

Deborah is someone I have so much admiration and respect for. She started Women get on Board, an organization dedicated to, not surprisingly, how to get women on more boards. She talks about generosity and supporting the people in your network. I’ve known Deborah for many years now and I have to say that’s what I think of when I think of her. She’s truly open to connecting people and because of that, people are so grateful and want to support her in return.

Season 1, Episode 5: Fotini Iconomopoulos 

Fotini is a negotiation expert who recently published a book called: “Say Less Get More.” In the podcast, she talks about how networking and negotiations are so similar because they are both about developing relationships. She explains how some of the best networking opportunities come as a result of having shared experiences with people — like being on a business trip or going out to dinner with the other consultants at a conference. She’s a huge fan of Amy Cuddy — you know, the sociologist who is known for promoting the term “power poses.” Fotini further explains how the right body language is so critical to networking and can make people feel like you are truly listening.

Season 1, Episode 4: Jennifer Hargreaves 

Jennifer shares some of the best questions to ask when you first meet someone and how to network to find a job. She also talks about how you can network anywhere, even when you are picking your kids up from school or walking your dog. Contrary to popular belief, networking isn’t always about going to events. You have to think larger — or smaller — than that.

Season 1, Episode 3: Chanele McFarlane
If you follow Chanele on social media you know that she totally gets the concept of personal branding. So not surprisingly, in this episode, she shares why personal branding is so critical to networking. She’s also passionate about inclusivity and she talks about the reasons why events need to be made more inclusive… and I couldn’t agree more.

Season 1, Episode 2: Sadaf Virji

When Sadaf first came to Canada for university, she didn’t know anything about networking because it’s not something they teach or emphasize back home. She quickly realized that if she wanted to get a job and develop new friendships, this was a skill she needed to learn. This is why she is so passionate about teaching these skills to newcomers to Canada. Sadaf also talks about how we can be more inclusive and thoughtful when it comes to networking with newcomers.

Season 1, Episode 1: Judi Hughes

If you’re a regular listener to my show you’ve probably heard Judi’s name a few times. She is the woman who taught me (almost) everything I know about networking. One of the key concepts I learned from Judi was the connection ladder. She talks about how one connection introduced her to another…. and that person to another…. and how much all those connections collectively brought her in revenue. Passionate about mentoring women, Judi tells us that women need to stop beating around the bush when it comes to something they want, to be more direct when they need something from a connection. This is something I heard from at least two of my other guests.

Looking back on all these awesome talks with these amazing women, it strikes me that all of my guests come from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures. Why does this matter? Well, it tells me one very important thing: Everyone can network.

I honestly get so sad when I hear people say that networking isn’t for them. Some say it’s because they are shy (fact: introverts are some of the best networkers)… some say it’s their socioeconomic status… some say it’s a lack of time. But here’s the thing: Each of my guests could discount all those excuses.

So what do I have planned for 2022? Well, I’m going to switch things up a bit. Yes, I will still occasionally be interviewing people that I believe are networking gurus, but what I’m going to be focusing on for the main part next year is a specific networking topic each week. I want to do a deep dive and really get into the core of networking. I think it’s time — I mean, 2022 is (hopefully) going to look different than the past two years. It’s looking like we’re going to be seeing a combination of in-person and online events, so we are going to need to start practicing those in-person networking skills again. Networking is like a muscle — you need to exercise it if you want to remain a pro.

So what’s the first topic of 2022? Well, I’m starting at the very beginning. The question I’ll be discussing is: “What is networking?” I’ll start by sharing some misconceptions and busting some myths — it should be insightful…and fun… so I hope you’ll tune in!

Have a safe and happy holiday season, and I’ll ‘see’ you in 2022!

Thanks for tuning in to Connect and Bloom — a podcast that empowers women to master the art of networking and make life-changing connections. Got a burning question about networking? Share it below, or shoot me an email at despina@connectandbloom.com If you want to explore this topic further, head on over to the Connect and Bloom website, follow me on Instagram or Facebook, or — if you haven’t already — subscribe to this podcast. Be sure to connect ~ and bloom ~ with me again in our next episode!