The Cranky Middle Manager Show #133 The Go Giver- Bob Burg
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #133
Hello one and all, welcome to a special edition of The Cranky Middle Manager Show. The idea for this show started with an interview at The Working Week, which is the official podcast for Management-Issues.com. Every once in a while a book comes along at just the right time, and such a book is The Go Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann.
The right time, was the launch of my new company www.greatwebmeetings.com . The right topic was the connection between people and being generous with your networking efforts. At first I thought it wasn’t right for people working in the corporate world, it was aimed at business owners and the like, then I gave my head a shake. Enjoy
Bob Burg, co-author of The Go Giver
Show Notes
0:00 Welcome to the show. Today we’re talking to Bob Burg, author of Endless Referrals-Networking Your Everyday Contacts Into Sales. This episode of the show is dedicated to the spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham who used every connection he had to keep Queen Elizabeth I alive. Who is the spymaster where YOU work????? You really ought to know them. Be them if you can handle the intrigue.
3:30 Yet another quote attributed to Confucius. I’d like to believe he said all this smart stuff, but then I skew to the cynical on such matters. Never mind, he- or whoever- is right about reciprocity.
4:22 Welcome Bob Burg to the show. His book is the fastest rising book since Marshall Goldsmith’s What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (hear our chat with Marshall). The book is all about adding value to people’s lives. It’s a quick read but it’s a good one. Here’s the big question. What does networking have to do with the corporate world when you’re not job seeking or going out on your own?
9:18 Networking can seem awfully selfish. Is it about getting? Actually it’s more about receiving, and there’s a difference. There’s also a difference between being a giver and having people just take from you.
12:30 Let’s veer away from the New Agey-ness of this and get down to the practical. Most of us exchange time for money…but your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment. Value and salary are NOT the same darned thing. The accountant example works for me… Oh and a plug for Wallace Wattles.
16:03 All things being equal, people will do business and help people they like, know and trust. One of those folks is Anita Bruzzese, (who has also been a guest, check her out here if you didn’t hear it). Get to know other people in your company- you need to know how you connect with everyone else.
20:15 It’s easy for the generous folks like you to add “assets of value”. But what about when you need something…how do you reach out without sounding like it’s “Quid Pro Quo, Clarice”. It’s all about reaching out by assuming you’ve earned the right to say, “I have a problem you can help with…” or “I have a question about…”. Try writing out your approach so you don’t blow it…. we get some great examples here.
25:14 What are the rules for using social networking tools like LinkedIn? Jason Alba’s book “I’m On LinkedIn, Now What?” is a good resource.
Other Resources
Steven M R Covey The Speed of Trust
Happy For No Reason Marci Shimoff and Carol Kine
How to Win Friends and Influence People
