#networking interviews

What were some of the challenges you faced trying to get situated in LA as well as meeting and networking with a new group of people and what did you find was the best technique for you to overcome these challenges?

I'll tell you the move was life-changing for sure. I think for some people moving comes easily to them, but for me, it was a real challenge adjusting to a new city. I was fortunate enough to have a strong support system and social network in my hometown of San Jose. I think that was the main reason why getting situated in LA and making a new home out of it was so tough...I rely strongly on my friends and family to uplift me and ground me. I came to Los Angeles solo, no boyfriend or friend in tow to conquer the town with. It helps if you have someone you are close to in LA...and the few people I knew from the Bay Area who were down in LA I sure went running to. So I went to what's familiar, the people I knew from home. It is one major reason why I never chose to do New York--too far from home! One of the biggest challenges for me upon moving here, was, yes, then, my social life and making friends. That was harder than learning the ropes of the entertainment business and gearing up to start working as an actor. I never knew that my personal and social life would be the most difficult adjustment of all! I went home to the Bay Area very often, sometimes a few times a month, to remedy my loneliness. LA has a lot more people that come from other states in the U.S. who were new to California altogether. It was hard for me to connect to people especially females in social settings because I felt I didn't have much in common with them. I always wanted to find a homegirl to go to concerts with, or liked the same movies I was into, or had similar music tastes. That was the hardest part! I often connected easily to new people if we had similar interests...and that took me a while to find.

You were honest about how your parents feel about your diverse career decisions (how they felt it was only a hobby). Many entrepreneurs and people in different (non corporate) career tracks can relate in some respects (some successful entrepreneurs still can asked from their parents, "So when do you plan get a real job?". What do you do to deal with this mental game and does this often discouraging feedback sometimes affect career decisions you make?

In the beginning, like the first couple years, it was harder than it is now. I think now I've learned to build up a protective wall from those doubts and discouragement of choosing a career path they don't think is reliable or worthy of me. It bothered me always because I don't want to disappoint them because I do care about what they think of me, that they are worried about me, I want them to be happy too. I will admit that the negative script in my head has crept in from time to time and it's largely because of my parents! So thanks alot guys! No, it's part of the cycle of life I have found, to rise from the ashes...to do what you were set out to do no matter the obstacles...to prove others wrong and be a role model or hero for future generations to do what I did...which is follow your dreams.

In some industries, there's often conflict between the "regularly dating" phase and the "successful career building" phase of your life, have you found this to be the case in yours? Do you find a way to strike some type of balance in both? If so, how?

I often told guys I was dating, that I was in my "successful career building" phase (hahahaa!), and so could only date lightly and feign lack of interest for a relationship. I did it so I could stay focused on career, and not get tied down to a guy. But in the back of my mind somewhere, I knew that if it was the right guy, I'd totally make time for him and something more serious. Because for me, but not for everyone, falling in love is a part of my life-movie too. And the truth is, the right relationship actually can enhance your career, not hold you back. But that is hard to find. I think being in the same career as someone I was dating helped with understanding one another's time restraints and needs.

Finally, what's some exciting upcoming projects we can expect to see you in and you'd like to talk about?

I started screenwriting for the first time. It is a feature film, and my co-writer is one of my best girlfriends. We are writing it to create a vehicle for ourselves, it is so empowering to write a role for yourself. I have also been cast in the Muse Productions' feature film Tranzloco which begins shooting this spring, and marks the directorial debut of Will De Los Santos, the writer/creator of Spun. The upcoming television series My Thai Life, from Travis Romero, the writer of USA's White Collar is currently in development and I will also be a part of that cast too! Stoked for 2014!

Connect with Jennifer Field

Website: http://www.jennfield.com/

Tell us more about your Meetup groups, The Art of Active Networking. Why did you decide to start it?

I currently have three Meetup Groups (which by the way are very effective and active) in New york City, Los Angeles and in San Francisco where this started. I also use LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter as a way to engage people in a conversation as well as my own massive database and mailing lists.

I started The Art of Active Networking worldwide to help people do better in life, love and business, to help them to better engage in a conversation that is not sell, sell, sell! I want to help people understand that they have a personal brand and that business is done through powerful relationships.

There are a million people out there doing what you do, some better at it than you and some worse at it than you. And if I have three people all equally qualified in front of my for something I need to do, who am I going to hire? Or call? I'm calling the one I know, the one I trust, the one I understand and like! RELATIONSHIP!

How is it different than other networking groups around your area?

My events are not like any networking event you have attended because at mine they are all about helping each other do better instead of the hard sell. Mine are about building powerful friendships and relationships instead. My events are only three hours with a half seminar/roundtable in the middle hour.

At most networking events people throw business cards at each other and barely wait for an exchange before moving on to the next person. They then leave with a pile of cards and then use what I call "rubber-band syndrome" they wrap a rubber-band around the cards and toss them on or in their desk, purse or backpack and never do anything with them!

My people followup, and that's a big part of what I preach. It sounds sophomoric and stupid simple...and it is!

What are the backgrounds of your members?

I have had attendees from over 56 countries and from the unemployed to CEO's and entrepreneurs. I have had people from over 1000 professions attend. I have now done my events in three countries and 8 cities worldwide for nearly 8000 people. I have had people from 19 to 82 year's old attend that I know of and everyone in between!

What are they looking to get out of the group?

People come for all kinds of reasons. To sell themselves, to find new business or clients, to buy something, to get a date, to find a resource, to be less lonely, to simply get out of the house for a bit.

But my repeaters...they come because they have this powerful Aha! moment and they say to me all the time, "Wow Mark, I had no idea your events were this different, I have heard about this from so many people and I finally decided to come tonight, and I am so glad I did." 60-70 percent of all attendees come again and become regulars!

Here are some actual quotes people recently sent me:

From CEO's and Entrepreneurs to the Unemployed and in transition to something cool, people are showing up for this new kind of networking. It's small, it's connected, it's intimate and it's personal.These events are a wonderful social experiment. Mark helps us find group connection and sincerity in a context I used to despise (okay, fear). Who likes networking? I used to answer, "definitely not me."

Mark, and the Art of Active Networking, seek not only to help professionals grow their businesses, but also make the world and our community a better place. Building community, enhancing relationships, and helping professionals to communicate "their holistic selves" -- the person and the professional -- is at the core of Mark's philosophy. With the Art of Active Networking, it's not only about what you do -- but who you are as a person.

I just attended my first Art of Active Networking event and I was astounded, surprised and moved by what the evening provided. This is not your typical networking event where you exchange business cards, share a few words and then forget whom you met or talked with. It's more of an informal party, hosted by Mark ,who sets a stellar example of how to network effectively by his own behavior. By the end of the evening, you have experienced much more than idle chit chat with some new people, you have potentially connected to people who might become friends or business associates.

What have been some of your most popular events? Why do you think they were popular?

All of my events are the same...I have a unique roundtable format that allows everyone who attends equal time to talk to the group by answering (in their own unique way), the same 4 questions in a timed :30 second format. And I make all of them fun!

What do you think it takes to have a good networking group?

Followup and friendships that develop! The amazing referrals that happen and the community that is developed. And the best part is the connections between cities and countries I get to make for folks!

I think everyone must be considered equal and everyone must be giving and not a taker. People so bent on selling themselves never really create sustainable powerful relationships! Give up coming from "need" and "want" and your world will surely change for the better.

What tips do you have for someone attending a group looking to network?

Don't be a wallflower...you showed up for a reason.

Engage with many different people and find out about them.

Bring your cards.

And above all....FOLLOW UP! 70 percent of all "networkers" never friggin' followup. So what's the point of showing up at all?

AND HAVE A GREAT TIME! You are surround by amazing stories and cool people.

Connect with Mark E. Sackett

Networking Site: http://www.theartofactivenetworking.com/meetup.html

Interview Highlights:

Startup entrepreneurs should be "people collectors" (collecting the best people to ehlp with their project)

When approaching Brad it's good to have a short intro and why they want to talk to him

To build relationships with influencers start small like posting comments on their blog

It's possible to be polite while at the same time "brutally honest" (key is not to be presumptuous)

Full Interview with Brad Feld

For a startup entrepreneur how important is networking and where in the list of priorities do you think it should fall (ie compared with building product, testing, customer development, etc...)?

One of the key roles of a startup entrepreneur is to be a "people collector." You need to surround yourself with the best people you can find and attract - to partner with, to work for you, invest in you, and to mentor you. Networking should have a purpose - you aren't just going to events and parties. Rather, you are trying to engage with your startup community, your industry, and potential employees and investors. You do this through continual interaction, not just handshakes and shared drinks.

When attending events, for example a tech meetup or happy hour, how do you like to be approached by someone? How do you not like to be approached?

If I go to a public event, I assume that I'm going to be approached by a lot of people. I try to talk to everyone who wants to talk to me. The best interactions are ones where the person seeking me out has a short intro - they describe what they are doing and why they want to talk to me. Often, they have a single question that I can respond to in real time, that creates the basis for additional interactions - either in the moment or later via email.

What should people looking to start relationships with people outside their existing network do to get started? Send emails, call, tweet, etc?

Engage with something the person you are trying to reach is interested in. If they write a blog (like I do), start commenting on the blog. Write a post on your blog linking to something they wrote. Respond to requests they have, or help a company they are involved in. Use my "give before you get" approach - do something that is useful for the person your are trying to start a relationship with in advance of any expectation of getting anything back from them.

Meeting people is sometimes the easy part of "networking", what's harder is keeping in contact with the people that you meet. Do you have a specific system or method that you use to keep in in touch with the professional or personal contacts that you have?

I don't have a specific system, but I try to be immediately responsive to anyone I'm developing a relationship with. I try to give more than I ask for and specifically not be "that guy who is always requesting something."

You have an interesting post on "Grinfucking" (people who pretend to be nice to someone's face and then act the opposite behind their back) and how you believe in being brutally honest with people (as well as wishing they do the same to you). Is there a line between being a dick about being honest with someone versus being polite about it? What's the difference?Full Interview witfh 

You can be polite while being brutally honest. Just be direct and clear. Don't judge, don't assume bad intent, don't criticize gratuitously. Say how you feel and why, but don't go into a long justification. Don't be presumptuous and tell the other person what they should have done better - just be clear about what you think they did wrong.

Connect with Brad Feld

Site: http://www.feld.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfeld

Tell us more about your Meetup group, Professional Womens Network of Southern California.

The PWNSC is open to all women professionals, executives, managers and entrepreneurs. There have been years in which we've had to find outside venues for our meetings because the number of attendees would not fit in our living rooms. There was at least a year hiatus when I was too busy to attend to this group. Fortunately, one of the women who attended the first meeting back in '07 became a friend and offered to get the group back up on its feet again about six months ago. So we're building active members again and are once again meeting in our living rooms. We charge a small admittance fee for overhead (management and snacks) and sometimes, when we have a guest of national prominence like author Whitney Johnson of Dare, Dream, Do (via Skype) we charge slightly more, mostly to insure that the women who say they're coming actually come. My experience is that just about one-half of the women who say they are coming will actually arrive. If we have a speaker of prominence, we want to assure ourselves that she will have an audience.

Why did you decide to start it? How is it different than other networking Meetup groups around your area?

I decided to start the meetup group when I first started marketing my mediation practice back in '07. At that time I was transitioning from a 25-year career as a corporate litigator to a commercial mediator and arbitrator. I knew next to nothing about marketing so I decided to form a group in my own home that would be free and easy. I formed my own group because I don't much like rules or the feeling that everyone is present primarily to pitch themselves to everyone else who's present. I saw the PWNSC as more of a mutual support group where women shared contacts as well as their challenges and successes with the goal of being of service to others as much or more as "getting" something from others.

What are the backgrounds of your members? What are they looking to get out of the group?

We have more than 600 members, all of whom are executives,managers, professionals or entrepreneurs from nearly every walk of life. We have doctors (who knew they marketed?) lawyers, therapists, journalists, designers, bakers, restauranteurs, accountants, financial advisors, movie directors and producers, clothing designers, real estate brokers and agents, and every type of small business owner imaginable in retail, wholesale and the service industry. We even have an army captain who has served two tours of duty in Iraq.

Everyone is looking for pretty much the same thing - networking contacts to build their business, the "soft" support any group of women with similar interests inevitably provides (friendship, shared knowledge and wisdom, and opportunities that arrive only when you're in conversation with another human being) and advice on matters such as marketing, cash flow, financing, better business practices and the like.

What have been some of your most popular events? Why do you think they were popular?

Our most popular event featured the true crime writer, Cathy Scott, who is a friend of mine and made a trip down from her home in Las Vegas to discuss publishing. Cathy has written and published nearly a dozen non-fiction titles and is a former journalist and journalism professor. Anytime we can offer a speaker who has the depth of knowledge and experience of someone like Cathy, we draw a pretty big crowd.

What do you think it takes to have a good professional networking group?

A good networking group is as much about giving as it is about getting. No one wants to be "sold" and most women don't like to "sell." We have no rules and no requirements for membership other than a desire to be of service to others and open to creating professional and business contacts that are mutually beneficial. Our meetings are simple but powerful. We introduce ourselves and our business or profession and briefly say what we're hoping to gain from the group. Women start nodding their head's and indicating that they have something valuable to offer before we get a quarter of the way around the circle. Then we have a speaker, almost always someone from inside the group so that our women can practice their presentations and everyone else can learn what another woman in business does and how she manages.

I've served on a million committees, attended thousands of networking events in my "market" (Fortune 500/AmLaw200), and ascended to positions of leadership in my original profession - legal practice - and my "second life" as an author, mediator, keynote speaker and negotiation consultant and trainer. Nothing, however, has been as powerful as this meetup group that I started in my living room in 2007 simply by posting a notice on the meetup site. I have found great friends and terrific contacts but mostly I joined a community of powerful women who have the desire to walk up to a stranger's door, knock, and ask "is this the women's meetup group?"

Connect with Victoria Pynchon

Twitter: @VickiePynchon

Tell us more about your Meetup group, Bay Area Business Networking Events, Marketing & Leads Group. Why did you decide to start it? How is it different from other Meetup networking groups?

The meetup group is for a select group of people who are committed to increasing their business performance via training and effective, focused networking. We provide training and networking opportunities: I feel this is an effective use of time and gives good returns to people who attend: we have a good track record and currently have about 1,200 members and a meeting about every month. We have chapters in the East Bay (separate meetup) and Mid Peninsula (seperate meetup).

I started this group in response to some of the problems I saw in most networking opportunities

People had no training to focus their networking and marketing message: so people were confused on how to make introductions for them: hence the need to train people in business, so people can be clear in their messaging and efforts towards generating business.

People were insulted or insulting in the manner of their networking: they are either too pushy (pushing business cards) or too shy in their approach. This is understandable given the lack of appropriate quality business training out there.

I started the group to address these two pains.

We are different from other meetups in the following ways

We are consistent in our building and selection of members; people have to be selected when they apply to join.

We provide valuable training and networking: most if not all of our meetups have been highly rated by our members.

Quality presentations and trainings

We work to help people introduce themselves: The training helps people get clear on what they need to do to message and manage their business efforts.

What are the backgrounds of your members? What are they looking to get out of the group?

The members come from various backgrounds: mostly people in small business, a minority of career professionals, startup tech people.

What they gain: high quality business training + networking in a focused manner.

What have been some of your most popular events? Why do you think they were popular?

The most popular events are our training and networking events. People love the trainings!

After organizing several networking events what do you think it takes to be a good networker?

Listening, Listening clearly, Attention and Focus

Solid follow up and demonstration of reliability and consistency

Focus on being proactive

Asking the right questions

What other tips for networking do you have?

Take an elevated commitment to developing your business skills: strategy, marketing, time management

This will help you stand out immediately from the rest

Connect with Sunil Bhaskaran

Site: www.SunilBhaskaran.com

How do you define networking and how important is it for people's careers or lives?

Networking is the lifeblood of a professional. It's the process of expanding and adding value to a network of contacts you intend to help and ask for help. At any major step in your professional life both the size and quality of your network is directly connected to the amount of opportunity you can create.

Do you have any examples where networking helped you further your goals?

Networking helped me raise 4 million dollars, find my co-founder, build out the majority of my organization (40+ people strong), and in some meaningful ways is connected many of the major business decision we've made to continue to grow Docstoc.

What are some common mistakes people make when it comes to networking (ie, what are people doing wrong)?

There are 3 big mistakes people make. 1) Asking before Giving: you'll be most successful at networking when you first focus on helping others. 2) Breath & Quality: it's important to both know a lot of folks but also build quality relationships, one without the other may not get you to where you need to be. 3) ROI: have some barometer to make sure that the time you spend networking is paying off in the ways you need it to.

I have more advice in this video:

http://premium.docstoc.com/video/80774888/The-10-Keys-to-Business-Development

Some people have no problem meeting new people, however, what's more difficult is keeping those connections and relationships strong and healthy. What is the system you use to keep in contact with people? Twitter, Facebook, phone calls, etc...?

The real challenge is always in keeping relationships not forming them. Personally I use all of the above: email, social media, one on ones, large public speaking events to be able to stay in touch with my network.

Connect with Jason Nazar

Site: http://www.jasonnazar.com

How do you define networking and how important is it for people's careers or ventures?

Networking is the process of developing and activating your relationships to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, expand your sphere of influence, or serve the community. More details are here: http://businessnetworking.com/a-closer-look-at-networking.

What sticks out in your mind and your experience as a great example where networking played a big part in someone's career?

For me personally, it would be an Executive position I got as a young man in LA. I was the Field Operations Supervisor for the 1980 Census. I did a good job and the local State Senator got to know me. When the contract with the Bureau expired, he recommended me for a fantastic executive position in a transportation company in LA. Over 100 people applied for the position. However, with the senatorís coaching and guidance ñ I got the job.

What are some common mistakes you think people make when it comes to networking?

Here are three of the most common issues or mistakes.

1. Poor referrals

The main purpose of networking groups is to develop close enough relationships between members to refer business to one another. In nearly every case, this is a win-win for the person getting the referral and for the one who gave it. However, in a small percentage of referrals, something goes wrong. Then human nature kicks in and makes it even worse: People tend to talk about each other, not to each other. Suppose that Margaret gives Larry a referral and for some reason Larry did not deliver what he promised. What tends to happen is that Margaret then tells her friend Sam what an idiot Larry is, and how bad his service is. . . without ever going to Larry and talking to him to personally discover what went on and discuss how it could be fixed. At best, this behavior perpetuates the negative feelings. At worst, it exacerbates them.

In the vast majority of these situations, nothing was wrong with the referral. The problem usually is simply a matter of miscommunication. The bottom line: Things sometimes go wrong, but don't perpetuate the problem through lack of open, honest communication. If you take a few minutes right after it happens to talk about it in a nonconfrontational way, you'll avoid making an awkward situation even worse.

2. Personal disagreements

I've often said, only half kidding, that networking would be so much easier if people weren't involved. But since they are, disagreements now and again are inevitable. I've often been asked to handle disagreements over the years. My advice is always been the same: Don't focus on the problem, focus on the solution. Why? If you only focus on the problem, you become an expert at the problem, but you never come up with a way to fix it. That doesn't help anyone -- not the people disagreeing, and certainly not the others who have to listen to this drama at every meeting. If you're getting drawn into a drama, take aside one adversary and ask: "Just how bad is this situation?" Give them a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst. Usually, the answer is 3-4. If that's the case, ask: "Why is it so high?" They will probably look at you as if you're crazy and say something like, "But it's low." Then ask, "What is good about the other person you are in this disagreement with -- to the point that you didn't give them a 1 or a 2?" Then help the person build on that. Encourage open, honest and direct communication between the two members.

3. Breakups

Networking groups tend to attract like-minded people, so they can often bring people together for more than just business. This can be a blessing, but it can quickly turn into a curse if the relationship ends and the members are still in the same group. Rules that members cannot date aren't realistic or recommended. If you find yourself in a breakup with a regular member of your networking group, I argue that given the value of your network, it's worth working through those feelings.

I'll put it bluntly: Suck it up, and continue to network. Don't lose a network of valuable referral sources you have built over a few days or weeks of discomfort. The more professional you remain through and following the breakup -- by not talking badly about the other person, or bringing your personal situation into the business operations of the group, the more highly you will be viewed by the other members. The same goes for business-related breakups, too.

No matter what the details, the fact is that at some point or another almost everyone involved in business networking will face an awkward moment with another networker, so it's probably going to happen to you. It's the end game that you should be working toward, and that is growing your business. Don't ever burn bridges with people in your group, because you never know: You might end up being friends and valued referral partners.

One of your books, Business Networking and Sex, talks about networking with the opposite sex. Why did you decide to write this book? What were some of the issues people faced networking with people of the opposite sex?

My co-authors and I saw men and women missing the mark in networking with the opposite gender. We did the book to help people better understand where men and women are coming from in their networking efforts.

Men were more likely to be 'transactional' in their networking and women were more likely to be 'relational'. See this article:

http://businessnetworkingandsex.com/he-says-go-for-the-deal-she-says-go-for-the-relationship/

For more on the book, go here:

http://businessnetworking.com/survey-says-summarized-conclusions-about-business-networking-gender/

What are the differences between networking with someone of the same sex vs. the opposite sex?

In many cases it is a little easier (networking with the same sex). When someone who is transactional is working with another transactional networker - they understand each other better. Same with relational.

Connect with Dr. Ivan Misner

Site: http://businessnetworking.com/

How do you define networking and how important is it for people's careers or ventures?

Networking has a bad rap. In truth, its the practice of creating friendships without anticipation of a return. By focusing on the relationship, over time there will be opportunities where you can help your friends, and your friends can help you.

Additionally, it is impossible to build a business without getting outside your four walls. Networking allows for you to get ready feedback from folks and enables a mindset of being ok with constructive criticism.

Do you have any examples in your life of how networking helped you? What happened?

Networking helps me every day. I have a group of friends that I talk to about a myriad of topics that really help me understand situations and make decisions. One specific example would be that after selling my company in 2007, I was introduced to David Cohen who was starting Techstars. It was the beginning of a greatly rewarding experience with an organization that, through being a mentor, helped to fundamentally change how I approached building companies. Having a David as a friend has also been great...most of the time. :)

What are some common mistakes you think people make when it comes to networking?

They go into it expecting something in return immediately. Pitching products or companies or selling without building a relationship first. It is almost worst than a cold call because it is unexpected and uncomfortable.

What should people looking to start relationships with people outside their existing network do to get started? Send emails, call, tweet, etc? What has worked for you?

Getting introductions is the best for sure. Secondarily, interacting via social media or their blog is highly effective. But most importantly, just ask. People are particularly nice when given a chance.

Meeting people is sometimes the easy part of "networking", what's harder is keeping in contact with the people that you meet. Do you have a specific system or method that you use to keep in in touch with the professional or personal contacts that you have?

I'm horrible at using a system. Mostly I use my inbox and my memory. If you know of a good system, please let me know!!

Connect with Micah Baldwin

Blog: http://learntoduck.net/

Site: http://graphicly.com/