Latest / Networking Unleashed: Building Profitable Connections / Networking Unleashed: An Interview with Leesa Blankert and Michael A Forman, Professional Speaker

Transcript

Networking Unleashed: An Interview with Leesa Blankert and Michael A Forman, Professional Speaker · Networking Unleashed: Building Profitable Connections

0:14
Welcome to Networking Unleashed, Building Profitable
0:18
Connections, the show where simple conversations
0:20
create real business growth. I'm your host, Michael
0:25
Foreman. People think networking success comes
0:29
from meeting the biggest person in the room,
0:32
landing the perfect introduction, or finding
0:35
that one major deal. But in reality, many careers
0:40
and businesses change direction through smaller
0:43
quieter connections, conversations that don't
0:47
look important at the time, but end up shaping
0:49
everything. My guest today has seen firsthand
0:54
how meeting the right business owners, learning
1:00
from unexpected mentors, and even supporting
1:04
people in the same space can move a business
1:07
forward in meaningful ways. We're talking about
1:10
how small relationships create big opportunities,
1:13
how mentors appear when you're paying attention,
1:18
and why collaboration, even with competitors,
1:22
can strengthen your path instead of threaten
1:24
it. If you want more opportunities without forcing
1:28
conversations or chasing every room, you're in
1:31
the right place. So let's get into it. I'd like
1:34
to welcome to the podcast, Lisa Blankert. She
1:38
knows she's an expert in all of this. She's a
1:40
former educator, but let me introduce Lisa and
1:44
have her give you the cliff notes of why she
1:47
is where she is today. Lisa, welcome to the podcast.
1:51
Thank you so much for the friendly introduction.
1:56
That's okay. Give us a little bit of your background.
1:58
How did you get here today? Yeah, I'd love to
2:01
share about my background. So as you mentioned,
2:03
I used to work in the public school system. So
2:06
I did that for nearly 10 years. So I worked with
2:09
a lot of students with special needs education.
2:12
And from there, I know a lot of people just call
2:15
it their line in the sand moment. What was the
2:17
breaking point that led me to make the pivot
2:20
to entrepreneurship? So for me, that was my car
2:23
breaking down at the top of a hill. The transmission
2:27
blew out. I thought, what is that noise? And
2:31
the panic set in and I cranked the e -brake,
2:34
put my foot on the pedal and waited for BCAA
2:38
to show up. And I'm Canadian, so here we call
2:41
it BCAA, where they come get you the tow and
2:44
rescue you. And they said, we'll be two hours.
2:46
And I said, I'm obstructing traffic at the top
2:48
of a hill. And for me, that was a huge moment
2:51
and pivoting time. as I like to call it, line
2:55
in the sand moment where I was just like, this
2:57
isn't working for me anymore. So I finished off
3:01
the school year with some rental cars. And when
3:03
September came around, I called HR and I asked
3:07
for other opportunities that might be online.
3:09
And they didn't at that time have opportunities
3:11
for me online. They said, you can go back on
3:14
call. And I worked many years to get a permanent
3:17
placement so that. I felt like going backwards
3:20
to me. So I didn't necessarily want to do that.
3:23
And I didn't want to buy a vehicle just to go
3:25
back to my job. So I thought I have a perfectly
3:28
fine computer. So I started doing contract work.
3:33
That's how I got started online. And I worked
3:36
for a few startups that were rough in the beginning.
3:40
be very blunt and honest. A lot of them had reductions
3:43
in force where I would be hired. And then they
3:45
said, this has nothing to do with your performance,
3:47
but we need to do some layoffs. So it was a rough
3:52
go in the beginning. I'm going to be very transparent
3:55
about that. But over time, I started, I love
3:59
that your show is about networking. Over time,
4:01
I started to do more networking. And I'm grateful
4:04
that in my community and where I live, there's
4:07
some amazing mentors that that run great networking
4:10
communities. So you're absolutely right that
4:13
you can meet people that can change the trajectory
4:17
of your career and your journey in entrepreneurship
4:21
at any time. And it's really exciting that sometimes
4:25
you're just one opportunity away from changing
4:28
that trajectory for yourself. Wonderful. I can't
4:32
wait to hear your answers for some of these questions
4:34
because I'm very intrigued. You talk about meeting
4:38
business owners who change their trajectory in
4:41
small ways. Why are the small connections often
4:49
more valuable than the big obvious ones? I think
4:53
the small ones are really important because sometimes
4:56
you have to think outside the box too. Like you
4:59
said, sometimes your competition, if you think,
5:01
how can I collaborate with this person? Even
5:04
for me being in the marketing agency space, I
5:07
collaborated with another person that has a very
5:10
similar company to me, but they also do photography
5:13
and videography. For example, I collaborate with
5:16
them and that way I can serve my clients better
5:19
too. If I have a client that comes to me and
5:20
is, I want to do a marketing. campaign and they
5:24
need the content to serve some of that then I
5:26
can be like great I trust this photographer to
5:28
show up and I have that partnership connection
5:31
with him so he can show up and do the content
5:34
and then I can do the marketing side so it's
5:37
about being resourceful and creative I'm a huge
5:40
fan of Marie Forleo if you know her no I'm sorry
5:43
I don't were you ever afraid that they may steal
5:47
your clients No, I was never afraid of that.
5:51
I've even had competitors that have brought me
5:54
clients and it took a long time to get there,
5:56
but some people were growing quicker than I was
5:59
and they had the decency to. make a referral
6:03
to me and I was grateful to that person for that
6:06
because at that time I was slowly growing and
6:09
I said to the girls like I needed this more than
6:12
ever right now thank you so much and so it's
6:15
about being open I think and you don't necessarily
6:18
have to show up to some of these networking events
6:21
with a strict agenda I think it's about the little
6:25
things that build over time And meeting people
6:28
and like I viewed some of your content, you talked
6:32
about talking to people with unrelated topics,
6:35
connecting on other things. And that way, when
6:38
something comes up and they have something that
6:40
overlaps and that could be beneficial to you,
6:42
then you can go, oh, wait, yeah, I'd love to
6:45
do that. Well, I go all over the country and
6:48
I speak on I'm a networking strategist and. I
6:53
always teach how to go into an event with what's
6:58
called a servant's heart. You go in looking to
7:00
give and not receive. And if you look to give,
7:04
that takes all the pressure off your shoulders.
7:06
You don't have to sell anything. All you're looking
7:08
to do is to help somebody else. And obviously
7:11
what goes around comes around. So you should
7:13
be getting business like that anyway. But if
7:16
you go in with a servant's heart, then that just
7:19
starts you on a wonderful journey. Yeah, that's
7:22
so true. I have a mentor that says that just
7:25
go out and serve people. And if you have that
7:27
mentality, you'll get further along then. Oh,
7:31
what's the transaction here? How am I going to
7:34
increase my level of transactions? Because a
7:37
lot of people that are famous in the marketing
7:39
space, they always say people buy from people.
7:42
It's not necessarily the company. It's the person
7:46
from the company. So if they like you or your
7:49
company, it's more. about you than it is about
7:52
the company. Yeah. I have a saying that I do
7:56
in all my classes and all my presentations, people
8:01
love to buy, but they hate to be sold to. So
8:06
as long as you keep that in mind, that people
8:09
love to buy, they'll buy from you, but from you,
8:12
but they don't want you to sell to them because
8:15
they hate salespeople. Tough line to hoe, but
8:19
it'll work. People have a terrible reputation.
8:22
And I'm fortunate enough, too, that I met some
8:25
high ticket sales coaches that are really impressive.
8:28
And the one thing one of the high ticket sales
8:31
coaches said at a networking event I was at,
8:34
shout out to Simu. He said, I took a bet on myself.
8:38
And that really stuck with me because he was
8:41
like, I'm doing this for myself. And he's working
8:44
outside the box. A lot of people are happy in
8:47
that nine to. position. And he's just modeling
8:50
that he is always betting on himself and investing
8:54
in himself. And I really like that about him.
8:58
Very good. Very good. And I'm sure he's a great
9:00
mentor. Can someone recognize a potential mentor
9:06
in a natural conversation instead of formally
9:10
asking for mentorship? Absolutely. I think you
9:15
never know who you could be introduced to. One
9:18
of my mentors runs a networking community. And
9:23
he also supported me recently with rebuilding
9:26
my website. So I was fortunate that way. And
9:29
I didn't know that joining his membership would
9:32
mean I could get support with rebuilding my website,
9:35
for example. So I think it's about being open
9:38
to the ways that people could help you too. Okay,
9:42
sure. What makes people willing to give advice
9:45
that actually moves someone forward rather than
9:49
just general encouragement? Oh, I love that one.
9:52
Another one of my mentors runs a very successful
9:56
marketing agency and the advice he gave me that
10:00
always stuck with me that is not generic advice,
10:03
is that if you have a company, you need to be
10:07
visible. And there's a lot of talk these days
10:10
about being visible and doing all the things.
10:13
And he said, you could be the greatest in the
10:15
world at what you do. But if you're not visible,
10:18
no one's going to know you exist. And no one's
10:20
going to know your offer exists. Going to be
10:22
sitting there in the corner, in other words,
10:24
and just struggling, riding the struggle bus
10:26
and going, why is this not working? Why is my
10:29
business not growing? So I think that is non
10:33
-generic advice that business owners can take
10:36
away for sure. Yeah, it's like having the most
10:40
beautiful website in the world does everything
10:43
you want it. But if you don't advertise and market
10:46
that website. Nobody's going to come to it and
10:50
nobody's going to see you. Absolutely. Absolutely
10:53
right. You hit the point right on the head. I
10:57
have an analogy for that one that I like. Creating
11:00
a website without doing any SEO to it is like
11:04
listing your house and just throwing up a for
11:06
sale sign. You're not going to get the right
11:08
buyer for your house. No one's going on in Canada
11:11
here. We call it MLS or realtor .ca. So if you're
11:14
not putting it on that website, no one's going
11:17
to be driving by your house and finding it out
11:20
of nowhere. That's right. Absolutely. Many professionals
11:24
see competitors as threats. What changes when
11:28
you choose to support someone in your same space
11:31
instead of avoiding them? I like that. I think
11:35
what changes is that you realize more and more
11:39
that these small business owners need each other
11:42
more than ever, especially in today's day and
11:45
age. So that's what changes. I think for me,
11:49
that's been a huge realization is when you make.
11:52
Those connections and collaborations with people
11:54
that are actually your competition, you have
11:56
unrealized growth from that. And that's a huge
12:00
transition as well. Yes, you said it before when
12:04
you worked with your competitor, which you found
12:08
some things that he does that you don't do and
12:11
then you do that he doesn't do. And all of a
12:13
sudden you found yourself working together, yet
12:16
you feel that you're competitors. but it opens
12:19
up a whole new world because the people that
12:22
they can't do, the work they can't do, accomplish,
12:27
they're giving to you and so on and so forth
12:29
in reverse. So you're both making out, but you
12:33
both seem to be competitors. But yes. It's more
12:36
sustainable that way too, right? And you're connecting
12:39
with people in your community. So it's about
12:42
keeping it sustainable over time. If he did that,
12:45
if he just thought of himself and only his services,
12:49
maybe he's not going to be as successful. Whereas
12:51
over time, that slowly builds too. Absolutely.
12:56
How do you build trust with someone who technically
12:59
serves the same audiences that you do? I love
13:04
that one. Building trust is about showing that
13:07
you're reliable and credible, I think, too. So
13:10
that was another huge reason why I also made
13:13
the transition to redo my website. So it's about
13:16
showing that you're reliable, showing that you're
13:19
credible, showing up. Yeah, good consistency.
13:23
That's the name of the game. In networking, in
13:26
the networking world, there's a mantra. Know
13:29
you, like you, trust you. They'll do business
13:32
with you and know you. Well, everybody knows
13:35
you because you're out and about. Likes you now
13:39
is the field down just a little bit because everybody's
13:42
not going to like you. But trust, that's a major
13:46
factor because nobody's going to do business
13:48
with you unless they trust you. So the more you
13:52
speak with that other person, the more that trust
13:56
level is going up and the barrier between the
13:59
two of you is going down. And once it makes the
14:02
switch, then you have them. And you can start
14:06
doing that voodoo that you do so well. Okay.
14:10
Where is the line between healthy collaboration
14:13
and protecting your own business interests? Ooh,
14:17
I like that one. I think healthy collaboration
14:20
involves seeing where you can benefit each other,
14:24
but still staying in your own lane. So how do
14:27
you stay in your own lane? You show up, you do
14:29
your own work, but yet you still have these relationships
14:32
going on the back burner, for example. So another
14:36
person that runs a similar company to mine is
14:39
even better at that, admittedly, than me. It's
14:42
very good at just having this balance. and having
14:46
those things running in the background while
14:48
still prioritizing their business. You pick up
14:52
little tidbits from that person, little ideas
14:55
that you haven't done, and you're incorporating
14:57
them into your business. Yeah, absolutely. As
15:00
soon as you said that, it made me think of one
15:03
very difficult client that we both work with
15:06
together. And he excelled at assisting this client
15:11
that was very high need and holding up boundaries
15:14
with the client. So I think it's about seeing
15:18
how other people use their strengths too and
15:21
realizing what are my strengths. So I think you
15:24
can learn a lot from other people and how they
15:27
work in business, especially. When you do collaborations
15:30
with them, some people call them also joint ventures,
15:33
but same thing, collaborations, joint ventures.
15:35
So it's about seeing like how other people are
15:38
navigating these things, because in business,
15:40
you're being thrown in so many different directions
15:43
all the time. There's always the latest and greatest
15:46
thing. And there's all the AI developments that
15:48
are coming. So there's also the people on the
15:52
other side that are like networking is the best
15:54
because you're in. person, you're building these
15:57
relationships and you're actually getting to
15:59
know these people for real, not just like the
16:02
screen side. The screen side is great and there's
16:05
a time and place for that. But I'm always grateful
16:07
when the networking event rolls around and I'm
16:10
like, okay, today I get to get away from my computer
16:12
and have dinner with some pretty awesome people.
16:14
Yeah, absolutely. You never know who you're going
16:18
to bump into when you go to a networking event.
16:21
I always suggest you go to one to two networking
16:23
events. per week. Now, some people go to one
16:27
a week, every other week, but you have to remain
16:30
consistent in your message, consistent in your
16:34
ability to show up because that's half the battle.
16:37
If you're showing up and you're consistent and
16:40
the person is seeing you over and over again
16:43
saying, you know something, they're going to
16:45
be reliable because I can trust them to be here.
16:49
So that's one thing to look at. What habits help
16:54
maintain relationships over time so they continue
16:57
helping both people grow? Ooh, habits. I like
17:01
that. I think sharing a similar schedule is a
17:04
good habit too. Obviously, if you're working
17:06
with freelancers from other places are great
17:09
sometimes, but if there's time zone issues, sometimes
17:12
you don't want to necessarily be up at 11 o 'clock
17:16
at night messaging that person. And then the
17:20
middle of the day and you're like waiting for
17:22
the time zone to change to speak with them again.
17:25
So I think it's about having like a shared schedule
17:28
that can be really beneficial. to you where the
17:30
person is actually available. And that's a huge
17:33
piece to it too. If the person's making themselves
17:35
available for you, that's a green flag. They're
17:39
there, they can make the effort to assist you.
17:42
And that's what I love about running a small
17:45
but humble agency is we have this really cool
17:48
advantage where we can drop everything and the
17:52
web developer and I work alongside each other.
17:55
And if there's an issue with someone's website,
17:57
we can drop everything and correct it because
17:59
those issues do happen. So that's another factor
18:03
too. Yeah, to answer your question, I think it's
18:06
really about having a similar schedule too. Okay.
18:10
Okay. Very good. For someone who feels invisible
18:13
at events, what's one simple way to start building
18:17
meaningful connections without forcing conversation?
18:21
Oh, I like that too, because I am a little more
18:24
on the introverted side. I think just finding
18:27
people you feel comfortable around that are running
18:31
the event itself. And then that translates into
18:34
meeting new people at the actual event because
18:38
it boosts your confidence and you feel more comfortable.
18:40
Befriend the organizer. Say, oh, I'm excited
18:43
to go to your event and anything I can do to
18:45
help, whatever. And if you have a good relationship
18:48
with the person that's organizing the events,
18:50
I feel. like it can trickle, have a trickle down
18:53
effect. And then you are more open to the people
18:55
that attend that are complete strangers. And
18:58
they're sometimes nervous too. I was at an event
19:01
for just female business owners a few months
19:04
back. And there was a girl that recently started
19:07
her own whole community. And she admitted she
19:10
was so nervous to go there by herself. But I
19:13
think going by yourself is actually a really
19:15
good idea because if you're with someone and
19:17
you have this person you're always reliant on.
19:20
you're not going to be open to everyone else
19:22
there. So if you're pushing yourself to just
19:25
show up by yourself, that can go further because
19:28
then you can build those relationships with complete
19:31
strangers because they're experiencing the exact
19:34
same thing you are. Absolutely. I always, when
19:38
I talk to corporations or people, even just my
19:42
coaching clients, I say go to the networking
19:45
events by yourself. right? Because you don't
19:48
want to crutch. You don't want to have somebody
19:50
next to you and they're not like the safe space.
19:53
Go alone. But if you're introverted, if you see
19:56
that person grab their drink and go to a wall
19:59
and just sit there and look at everything, be
20:02
the person, be the person to walk up to them
20:04
and say, hey, how you doing? Hey, that's a nice
20:07
blazer or a nice pair of shoes or just something
20:10
off the wall. And you'll see the confusion on
20:14
their face, like, what? What are you talking
20:16
about? And you just get into a conversation,
20:18
get them talking, and then slowly but surely.
20:22
That wall will come down from between you. That
20:25
trust value goes up. And you can have more conversation
20:28
that you both can enjoy. And you both will go
20:32
out and enjoy the event. I'm hosting my own event
20:35
actually tomorrow. There's 20 businesses. And
20:39
it's going to be a lot of fun. But about 250
20:41
people are scheduled to come through the event.
20:46
When you say go alone, that is so important because
20:51
you need to be able to go out and speak to people
20:54
and not rely on somebody else saving you. Like,
20:58
oh my God, I don't want to talk to this person.
21:00
You move on. Okay. For someone who feels, but
21:06
I just read that question. Okay. Let's bring
21:09
this podcast full circle. If a listener wanted
21:13
to create more opportunities in the next 90 days,
21:17
what one relationship building behavior would
21:21
create the biggest ripple effect? Ooh, that's
21:24
a good one too. And I have a great answer for
21:27
that one. Find someone, I love this term for
21:30
it, find someone that has a really great Rolodex.
21:33
So someone that's, so say, for example, I shared
21:36
that I was introverted, share and connect with
21:40
someone that is extroverted and has this Rolodex
21:43
of people. That's like this connector of everyone.
21:47
They can talk to anyone. So if you find a person
21:50
like that, or even a few people like that, that
21:53
could have a really good effect over the next
21:55
90 days. Absolutely. And the fact of the matter
21:59
is, just go out and network. And if you're really
22:03
afraid to go out and network, all the more reason,
22:06
just go out. Listen, the first time you go out
22:09
and network, you're going to suck. It's horrible.
22:12
It's going to be so bad. But the next time, it'll
22:15
be a little bit better. The next time, it'll
22:17
be a little bit better. And by the fourth, maybe
22:20
fifth networking event, you say, you know what?
22:22
I don't know what this is. what was wrong with
22:25
me this is so much fun this is so easy I get
22:28
out of the house and I talk to people that's
22:30
what the networking event is all about and find
22:34
something that you I think it's really important
22:36
to find something you like about the networking
22:39
event like I personally love eating so if the
22:44
networking event has a really good dinner something
22:47
like triple a steak tacos at the one event That's
22:53
hosted here in Vancouver. It has that food. So
22:56
I'm like, I'm happy to be there. I'm getting
22:58
a really great dinner and meeting really interesting
23:01
people. And that's really the cool part about
23:03
having a small business is that you can meet
23:05
some of the most interesting people ever. Yeah.
23:09
And there's a lot of comedic roles and jokes
23:12
that while people are eating, while you're doing
23:14
that, it kind of lightens the mood a little bit
23:17
and you can be more yourself. And people can
23:21
open, like I said, of like how introverted I
23:24
can be and find people that open you up too.
23:27
There's so many people too that they're maybe
23:30
more lighthearted and maybe they're hilarious.
23:33
So find someone that opens you up too. I think
23:37
that's really huge. This conversation is a reminder
23:41
that networking isn't always about dramatic moments.
23:44
It's about consistent connection. the people
23:47
you casually meet today may become the ones who
23:50
open doors tomorrow take one action this week
23:54
reach out to someone you've already met send
23:57
a message check in or simply continue the conversation
24:02
opportunities often grow from relationships you've
24:06
already started if you found value in today's
24:10
episode, make sure you like, follow, and subscribe
24:13
to Networking Unleashed, building profitable
24:16
connections so you keep getting practical insight
24:19
on networking and communication. And share this
24:22
episode with someone who's trying to grow their
24:25
business and could benefit from a different approach
24:28
to building relationships. If you'd like help
24:31
strengthening your communication, your relationships,
24:34
or the way you show up in conversations, visit
24:38
foreman .com to learn how I work with professionals,
24:43
teams, and organizations. So until next time,
24:46
stay curious, stay consistent, and build connections
24:50
that quietly create big results. Before we leave...
24:54
I forgot to say, Lisa, if somebody wants to connect
24:58
with you, they want to say hello to you or be
25:01
coached or marketed by you, what's the best way
25:04
they can get a hold of you? Instagram is the
25:06
best way. I'm on Instagram quite often. So my
25:09
Instagram account is labagency .online. Thank
25:14
you so much. Well, hold on, folks. Don't go anywhere.
25:21
Let's hear from our sponsors. David Neal, co
25:25
-founder, Revved Up Kids. Revved Up Kids is on
25:28
a mission to protect children and teens from
25:31
sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
25:34
They provide prevention training programs for
25:38
children, teens, and adults. To learn more, go
25:41
to revvedupkids .org. Henry Kaplan, Century 21.
25:46
When it comes to making the biggest financial
25:48
decision of your life, leave it in the hands
25:51
of a proven professional, Henry Kaplan. Henry
25:55
is a global real estate agent with Century 21,
25:58
celebrating his 41st year in business. No matter
26:02
where you're moving, Henry has the right connections
26:05
for you. You can contact Henry at 561 -427 -4888.
26:12
A huge thank you to our guests for sharing such...
26:16
insights today. And of course, a big shout out
26:19
to you, our amazing listeners, for tuning in
26:22
and spending your time with us. If you're interested
26:25
in my digital courses, being coached or having
26:29
me come and talk to your company, just go to
26:32
Michael and fill out the request form. Remember,
26:35
networking isn't about being perfect. It's about
26:39
being present. So take what you've learned today,
26:42
get out there and make some meaningful connections.
26:45
If you've enjoyed this episode, please don't
26:48
forget to subscribe. Leave us a review and share
26:51
it with someone who could use a little networking
26:53
inspiration. Let's keep the conversation going.
26:57
You can find me on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube,
27:01
or my website, foreman .com slash podcasts.