Michael Rager的动态

"You're always at events." "You're always a speaker somewhere." "Do you ever stay home?" "How do you get anything done?" I hear it all the time. In person. In texts. In emails. What people don’t realize is that networking isn’t a one-time transaction. It’s not about showing up, shaking hands, and hoping magic happens. To some it may not look impressive at first. One event. One conversation. One new connection. It feels small. Almost insignificant. But then you show up again. And again. The stranger you met at event #1 recognizes you at event #3. By event #5, you’re sharing ideas. By event #10, you’re collaborating. Relationships deepen when you keep showing up. The trust builds. Opportunities multiply. And eventually, the seeds you planted grow into something bigger than you imagined. Networking works the same way. It’s not about who you meet today. It’s about the relationships that grow over months. Or even years. The compound effect isn’t flashy. But it’s unstoppable. So yes, I’m “always out.” But there’s a purpose behind every handshake. ?? Snapped: Hanging with Houston professionals, award-winning corporate photographer Douglas N Burns, and entrepreneur Isaac Perez. These connections are the result of showing up—and they’re what make it all worth it.

You believe networking is only about exchanging business cards hoping to get a business opportunity out of it? If this is the case stop attending events, you are wasting your time. As a CEO of a mid-size company networking with the right ecosystem is more than just making connections it is about creating new opportunities to grow. It leads to: ?? Discovering new business partners ?? Creating new business opportunities ?? Building a trusted group of peers This morning we kicked off the retreat on a high note with our Networking session crafted on the “one give - one ask” principle and the energy was amazing! Here’s what some participants had to say: ? “That was one of the best networking sessions I attended - and I attend a lot!” ? “The one give - one ask was very smart. I loved it because everyone was very clear about their expectations and it made the networking piece less - awkward - we all know why we are here” Thank you to everyone who brought such incredible energy to this first segment. Your enthusiasm is what makes moments like these so impactful. I’m excited to see how the connections made today evolve in the next chapter of this journey. ?? What’s the most unexpected opportunity your network has created for you? Share your story in the comments!

It really is time to ditch the elevator pitch. What people think they need to do at networking events, and whenever they're asked what they do, is to tell people everything about their business, and stuff everything into that first minute or so. But what we should be doing is giving people just enough that they want to find out more, and not so much that people think they know everything now. Now, I know the original purpose of the elevator pitch was to give people something that left them with questions, but it has become corrupted over the years to people believing that they just have to get everything about their business into 60 seconds. If you've ever been to a speed networking event, you'll have seen that it is just people shouting at each other about what they do, and I always question whether anyone is actually listening, or just waiting for their turn. Ditch the elevator pitch. Start by leaving people with more questions than answers and understand that after the initial introduction you have the rest of your life to continue the conversation, you don't have to get it all into that first minute.

This week's networking advice is all about standing out from the crowd! ?? When you attend networking events, there's often that one person who everyone seems to gravitate towards - the "IT" person. Whether they're a panelist, an investor with a high-profile portfolio, or a well-known figure in your industry, they attract attention like magnets. But don't worry, you can still make your mark by following these tips: 1. Be patient: If the "IT" person is surrounded by others, wait your turn patiently. Your willingness to give them space will be noticed and appreciated when you do get the chance to speak. 2. Ask insightful questions: Instead of just offering generic compliments, engage them in meaningful dialogue by asking thoughtful questions. Show that you've paid attention or done your homework, demonstrating your genuine interest and knowledge. 3. Respect their time: Keep your interaction concise and focused. Avoid taking all of their attention, as this shows respect for their busy schedule and leaves a positive impression of your character. 4. Seek opportunities for future conversation: Before parting ways, ask if there's a way to continue the discussion at a later time. By expressing your interest in staying connected, you increase the likelihood of a meaningful follow-up conversation. Give these strategies a try at your next networking event and let me know how it works out. Happy networking! #networking #events #nyc #afrotech #sxsw #networkingsolutions #connections #socialnetworking

The survey results are coming in hot! ?? The #1 most-requested event type we’re getting is… ?? Drumroll please ?? Networking events! Okay, so maybe this isn’t groundbreaking, but it DOES beg a very important question: What actually makes a networking event *good?* You’d think we’d be the professionals at this by now, we know, but an open dialogue is just as important to us as putting on a great event (which is why we have a survey out in the first place — link in the comments below). So please, dive into the conversation! ???????? Is a good networking event one where many people attend? ?? Is it one where you know people in your industry are attending? ?? Perhaps it’s all about the good food and great conversation-building exercises? ?? Or maybe it’s one where you can be a social butterfly and only talk to the people you want to? Seriously — we want to know. Let us know in the comments below, or call us, or email us! P.S. You can still fill out the survey in the comments below ;-) #smallbusinessownersclub #smallbusinessrocks #smallbusinessstartup #entrepreneurshipbusinessowner #entrepreneneurshipeducation #entrepreneurshipjourney

"Unlock the power of networking with these top 3 strategies from the DEC! ?? 1?? Lead with Value: Offer insights, help, or connections without expecting anything in return. It's about what you can do for others, not just what you can get. ?? 2?? Choose Your Events Wisely: Not all events are created equal. Attend those that align with your industry and passions, where you can meet like-minded professionals and potential mentors. ?? Explore our upcoming events here: https://lnkd.in/dVMbCWs 3?? The Magic of Follow-Up: Met someone interesting? A personalized message or a coffee invite can turn a brief encounter into a lasting connection. Remember, consistency is key. ??? Elevate your networking game with these proven strategies and watch your professional circle grow! #DECCommunity #StrategicNetworking #BuildConnections

Networking isn’t about showing up everywhere. It’s about showing up prepared. Too many people waste time at events, collecting business cards without real connections. The mistake? They don’t plan who they need to meet. This week, I sat down with Kevin who broke down a step-by-step approach to networking smarter, not harder: ? Identify the right people before you walk in. ? Start conversations that lead to real opportunities. ? Build connections that last beyond the event. If you’ve ever felt like networking events are hit or miss, this episode is for you. ????

What makes a networking event "great" in your opinion? For me, it's when a group of high-caliber professionals gather in a room with no agenda other than the opportunity to meet new people, and great conversations happen. I've connected with many business collaborators, learned new things, received referrals, and even made a few new friends at events like that. For me the thing I appreciate most is the connections to like-minded people. That is the most important factor for determining whether or not an event was "great." How do you define a "great event"?

Don’t let a great connection slip away! ?? Following up is a simple yet powerful way to show care, professionalism, and commitment. Whether it’s sending a quick thank-you note, scheduling a coffee chat, or sharing a helpful resource, these small actions strengthen relationships and leave a lasting impression. ?? How do you ensure you follow up after networking events? Drop your tips below and let’s learn from each other! ???

Today's Business RadioX? #protip: For Your Next Networking Event - You know how much I love networking events, so, you know, I created this business so I wouldn’t have to do a lot of that. And one of the gifts of having a Business RadioX? studio is when I go to a networking event, I don’t have to have an elevator pitch where I’m just talking about my business in that 15-second little chunk. So, what I’ve done is I traded that elevator pitch for what I like to call a value assessment conversation starter. Lee Kantor Stone Payton #businesstips #tipoftheday #networkingevents To learn more - tap on the link below.