David Shavzin, CMC, is a Certified Management Consultant, and a passionate and experienced exit and succession planning expert. He created The Value Track to help business owners improve profitability, build value and maximize their business transaction. A frequent speaker on these topics, David is President and a co-founder of Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta and past president of the Institute of Management Consultants – Georgia Chapter. David has over a dozen years of experience senior corporate roles followed by nearly 20 years of consulting to privately held businesses. His industry experience includes manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and professional services firms: law, accounting, architecture, engineering, and design.
Susan Knox of Corporate Connections is a tenth generation Georgian, with an exceptional reputation and network. I am so pleased to have her on the ITB Partners Team as her business is unique and her personal story is compelling. In fact, I thought you would find her story so interesting, I convinced her to sit for an interview. This is the fourth and final installment of our discussion.
Jim:“What do you recommend keeping one’s network alive and active?”
Susan: “I say to make a list of people in your network. People you know from the PTA, your CPA, your Lawyer, someone in the church, your neighbor, or your kid’s baseball coach/parents. Literally, anywhere you have relationships, make a list of them. Include people that you know who are either influencers or high-profile people who are actively networking.
“One of the biggest deals I ever got was from a dentist. I went to a new dentist and he asked me what I did. I told him that I connected companies with capital. His next patient told him that he had started a new company and that he was looking for money. The dentist made the connection and I landed a great deal. It’s because I visited him (dentist) and told him about my business. You would be amazed where new deals and new clients, or new employees can come from.”
Jim: “Absolutely. As I tell folks, Executive Search is like pure marketing, as everyone I talk with is either a potential client, a potential candidate, or a referral source to a potential client or candidate.”
Susan: “That is so true! ”
Susan went on to say that it is important to “say yes to new networking opportunities.” She said that to build your reputation as an influencer you must be visible so people will include you in their events. She mentioned that she attends seminars and summits, not so much for the value of the content, but to meet the people that attend those events.
Jim: “What is the next thing you see for Corporate Connections?”
Susan: “Okay! Great Question.
“At the moment I am overwhelmed with new clients, and I am so grateful for that. But I think I need to start conducting professionalism workshops. Because, as you said, people often don’t know what they don’t know. A lot of them grew up behind a (computer) screen and they don’t know the social graces. They don’t know how to shake someone’s hand, to look them in the eye, or how to dress. I tell people that you are the CEO of your life. You are your brand, regardless of where you are. So, you had better protect it (your brand). You must know what you are doing. “
Jim: “Yes, if you step it up, and wear a jacket you can stand out.”
Susan: “I remember a time when I represented a Wealth Management Firm. The Managing Partner asked if I would talk to one of the younger guys, a real ‘up-and-comer.’ He was a runner and wore a sports watch. The Managing Partner wanted him to wear a dress watch. Another situation was with a female who wore (gaudy) colored nail polish. I helped them learn the value of proper attire and etiquette. I tell people, ‘when you walk into a room, you notice people who are very well-dressed and put together. They just stand out.’ People are attracted to successful-looking people.”
“I say the more high-tech we go, the more ‘old school’ I get. People really appreciate a handwritten note or a phone call. I have started working very hard to have more personal connections. But you know, Jim, I’ve always been about my clients and my members. I have focused on helping my clients with their social media, but not for mine (social media). I can use social media to showcase the value of my network. Going forward I aim to be more visible on LinkedIn.”
Jim: “Thank you so much, Susan!”
Susan: “Oh, thank you! It was fun.”
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Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners
Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners
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