Episode 915: 5 More Important Things for Great Networking
The Official BNI Podcast
Host: Priscilla Rice
Guest: Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI
Release Date: June 18, 2025
In Episode 915 of The Official BNI Podcast, Dr. Ivan Misner delves deeper into the art of networking by introducing five additional critical strategies to elevate one’s networking prowess. Building upon the foundational five points discussed in the previous episode—Visibility, Credibility, Profitability, Being Interested More Than Interesting, Giving Without Keeping Score, Articulating Your Why Clearly, and Following Up or Facing Flatness—this installment expands the listener's toolkit with advanced techniques essential for effective networking in today's dynamic environment.
1. Nurture Strategic Power Teams
Timestamp: [01:27] – [04:05]
Dr. Misner emphasizes the importance of nurturing strategic power teams, highlighting that not all connections hold the same value. He differentiates between contact spheres and power teams, explaining that while contact spheres represent concentric circles of acquaintances, power teams are clusters of complementary professionals serving the same audience without competing against each other.
"Power teams supercharge your networking. Instead of waiting passively for referrals, you actively create an ecosystem of mutual benefit."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [02:15]
By investing time in understanding and collaborating closely with members of these power teams, individuals can create a robust support system where referrals are not just frequent but also highly relevant and quality-driven. Dr. Misner recommends several past episodes for listeners to explore further, including Episode 775 on "Powering up Power Teams" and Episode 549 on "Boost Referrals in Power Teams," providing a comprehensive roadmap for building and maintaining these strategic alliances.
2. Be Referable
Timestamp: [04:05] – [06:10]
Moving beyond basic competence, Dr. Misner introduces the concept of being referable. This extends to embodying qualities that make professionals trustworthy and desirable to be recommended, such as integrity, excellence, responsiveness, and consistent follow-through.
"Your brand is not what you say about yourself. It's about what your network whispers when you're not in the room."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [05:00]
He stresses that being referable impacts every aspect of one’s professional persona, from attitude and online presence to how feedback is handled and even personal appearance. The idea is to create a safe and reliable image that others feel confident endorsing. Dr. Misner references episodes like Episode 649 on "How You Show Up in Networking Situations" and Episode 577 titled "I Wasn't Referable," which narrates a transformation journey toward becoming highly referable, illustrating the profound impact this attribute can have on one's networking success.
3. Read Body Language and Social Cues
Timestamp: [06:10] – [07:45]
Effective networking is not solely about verbal communication; it significantly involves reading body language and social cues. Dr. Misner explains that successful networkers must be attuned to non-verbal signals to gauge interest levels and adjust their approach accordingly.
"Social intelligence or emotional intelligence is underrated and incredibly invaluable."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [07:00]
He elaborates on indicators of engagement such as nodding, leaning in, and maintaining eye contact, versus signs of disengagement like crossed arms or distracted glances. In virtual settings like Zoom, cues shift to include tone of voice and facial expressions. Although there isn't a dedicated podcast episode on this topic yet, Dr. Misner hints at future content featuring experts on body language, underlining its significance in forging deeper, more meaningful connections.
4. Tell Sticky Stories
Timestamp: [07:45] – [09:10]
Dr. Misner introduces the art of telling sticky stories—narratives that are memorable, relatable, and impactful. Unlike mere facts or statistics, stories resonate on an emotional level, making the message more enduring and persuasive.
"Stories make you relatable. They make you credible and unforgettable."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [08:20]
He advises using a simple structure involving a challenge or solution followed by the result, ensuring the story remains authentic and compelling. Real-life anecdotes, such as helping a client overcome a hurdle or making someone’s day, serve as effective anchors in others' memories, increasing the likelihood of being referenced when opportunities arise. Past episodes like Episode 252, "Storytelling in Business," provide further insights into crafting such narratives.
5. Be Consistently Present Online and Offline
Timestamp: [09:10] – [10:30]
The final strategy focuses on consistent presence both online and offline. Dr. Misner asserts that networking is not a sporadic activity but a disciplined practice that requires regular engagement.
"Reliability and visibility is what establishes credibility."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [09:50]
He encourages professionals to maintain an active presence by sharing content, commenting meaningfully on others’ posts, attending events, and consistently showing up, whether in-person or virtually. This consistent visibility ensures that individuals remain top-of-mind within their networks, fostering trust and reliability. Dr. Misner underscores that being consistently present helps build a solid foundation of trust, making it more likely for others to refer you when needed.
Conclusion
Dr. Ivan Misner wraps up the episode by reiterating a fundamental principle of networking: quality over quantity. Instead of aiming to know tens of thousands of people, the focus should be on fostering deep, meaningful relationships with a smaller, strategic group, thereby creating a network that supports and elevates each member.
"The best way to stand out is to help others in a structured, positive, and professional process."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [10:00]
Priscilla Rice complements Dr. Misner's insights, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of sticky stories in making networking interactions more engaging and memorable. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to apply these strategies within their BNI memberships and share their experiences, emphasizing the practical application of the discussed concepts.
Key Takeaways:
- Strategic Alliances: Build and nurture power teams with complementary professionals to enhance referral quality and quantity.
- Being Referable: Cultivate a professional persona that others feel confident recommending through integrity, excellence, and reliability.
- Non-Verbal Communication: Develop the ability to read and respond to body language and social cues to deepen connections.
- Storytelling: Use engaging and memorable stories to illustrate your value and leave a lasting impression.
- Consistent Presence: Maintain regular visibility both online and offline to build trust and stay top-of-mind within your network.
By integrating these advanced networking strategies, professionals can significantly enhance their ability to generate meaningful referrals and foster a robust, supportive network.