Connecting Better

The podcast episode discusses the 'Rose, Thorn, Bud' technique as a way of conducting effective team check-ins. The technique involves each member sharing a highlight (rose), a challenge (thorn), and a new opportunity (bud). The hosts emphasize the importance of creating a safe space for sharing and outline how this technique can facilitate open communication and problem-solving within a team, especially for distributed or irregularly meeting teams. In this episode: Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠⁠⁠https://philyanov.com⁠⁠⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠⁠⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠⁠⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠⁠⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠⁠⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠⁠⁠ For over 16 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠⁠⁠https://techafterfive.com⁠⁠⁠

This episode reveals nine fool-proof strategies for starting conversations at networking events, focusing on making genuine connections. The strategies include 'reading the room,' noticing something nice about the other person, asking for help, asking for an opinion, finding common ground, and asking who and how they help people. Phil Yanov and Scott Pfeiffer emphasize the importance of meaningful conversations in networking and encourage you, the audience, to test these out for yourself. Got feedback or notes for us? Hit the button. In this episode: Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠⁠https://philyanov.com⁠⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠⁠ For over 16 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠⁠https://techafterfive.com⁠⁠

In this episode we are diving deep into the power of storytelling, specifically, five essential stories every professional, entrepreneur, coach, writer, or teacher should be able to tell. These stories aren't just about selling your services; they're about connecting with your audience, establishing your expertise, and sparking a genuine desire to collaborate. Failing to have these stories might be the thing that keeps you from closing business with people who really need you. Let’s get you closing more deals. Let’s show you how to tell the stories you need to do more business. The Five Stories Every Entrepreneur Should Be Able To Tell 1. Landscape and setting story: Understanding the environment in which prospects operate 2. Higher purpose story: Aligning values and purpose with prospects 3. Problems and possibilities story: Addressing obstacles and presenting opportunities 4. Proven process story: Demonstrating experience and a reliable process 5. Traveling together success story: Outlining the journey of working together and the next steps In this episode: Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠https://philyanov.com⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠ For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠https://techafterfive.com⁠

We discuss the benefits and strategies of being a guest on podcasts. We highlight the opportunities that podcasts offer to connect with new audiences, share expertise, and refine messaging. We also provide suggestions on how to choose the right podcasts to appear on, create personalized pitches, prepare for interviews, and make the most of the opportunity. Think you might want to try podcast guesting? I promise this episode will pull the fear out of it and give you the confidence to get started, or amybe even up your game. They emphasize the importance of being clear on your message, engaging with the host and audience, and leveraging podcast appearances for reputation-building and networking purposes. In this episode: Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. https://philyanov.com Upcoming events: https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. https://networkingovercoffee.com For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. https://techafterfive.com

Feel stuck trying to generate fresh ideas and innovative solutions? This podcast reveals an easy framework to get unstuck fast. Learn how to rapidly expand possibilities and unlock your creative potential in just 30 minutes. Hosts Phil Yanov and Scott Pfeiffer share a structured and collaborative protocol to bring diverse thinking to any business challenge or opportunity. By getting the right group together and establishing some quick constraints, you can tap into collective wisdom and align around new directions. Imagine multiplying options, gaining shared understanding, and setting the stage for smarter strategy. Whether you're exploring new markets, addressing operational problems, or ideating on any tough question, this podcast provides a proven path to break through barriers. Get ready to overcome groupthink, hear all voices, and supercharge your ideation. Discover a straightforward way to generate lots of possibilities before identifying the best ones. Unstick your thinking and start making progress today! Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philyanov.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://techafterfive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

On this week's episode of Connecting Better, hosts Phil and Scott provide the motivation you need to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start that new venture now. We all have ideas we'd love to pursue, but it's easy to get stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, perfectionism, and procrastination. Our hosts share their personal stories and expert advice for powering through the resistance.  You'll learn: How to move forward confidently even when you don't feel 100% ready Why launching an early imperfect version is better than waiting How real-world feedback uncovers insights you can't imagine alone Tips for iterating rapidly based on customer response Whether you're hoping to start a business, release a new product, or advance your career, this transparent discussion will inspire you to take action now and trust the process. Perfection can wait - it's time to get your idea out there!  Hit play to hear Phil and Scott's message that progress starts with an imperfect step. Your customers, your clients, your careers are waiting to show you the way forward. Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://philyanov.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠⁠⁠⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://techafterfive.com⁠⁠⁠

Phil Yanov and Scott Pfeiffer discuss the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, citing a government report that excessive isolation is as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. We provide practical tips on how to combat loneliness by intentionally building social rituals and routines into your life to anchor yourself to community, even when it feels uncomfortable at first. In this episode: - The U.S. Surgeon General has released a report on the "epidemic of loneliness" in society. - Excessive isolation has been found to be as detrimental to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. It increases risks of diseases like heart disease, stroke, anxiety, depression, and dementia. - Loneliness costs billions per year in increased Medicare spending and lost productivity in the workplace. - We are inherently social beings and learn how to be human from interacting with others. Isolation degrades our social skills. - Possible causes include reliance on technology/delivery services reducing need for interpersonal contact, and busy modern lifestyles. - Benefits of social connection include sharing joy and halving troubles, learning from others' experiences, feeling supported during life changes. - To increase connection, intentionally build social rituals and routines into your life, like weekly meals with family or friends. Make and keep commitments to show up, even when you don't feel like it. - Start small - do something socially 10 times before deciding if it works for you. Invest in friendships by giving first. You can make new friends as an adult with determination. Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠⁠⁠https://philyanov.com⁠⁠⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠⁠⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠⁠⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠⁠⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠⁠⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠⁠⁠ For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠⁠⁠https://techafterfive.com⁠⁠

Should you Pivot or Quit? Whether you're neck-deep in a novel that's gone south, staring down a side hustle that's sucking the life out of you, or just plain terrified of making the wrong move, this episode is for you. Because sometimes, the hardest decision is the one that sets you free. Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠⁠https://philyanov.com⁠⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠⁠ For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠⁠https://techafterfive.com⁠

Tired of misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and frustrated colleagues? Join us as we dive into the power of active listening, the key to unlocking better communication, collaboration, and productivity at work. In this episode, you'll learn: Whether you're a manager, team member, or solopreneur, active listening is a game-changer. Tune in and learn how to unlock its full potential for yourself. Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. ⁠https://philyanov.com⁠ Upcoming events: ⁠https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil⁠ Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/⁠ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. ⁠https://networkingovercoffee.com⁠ For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. ⁠https://techafterfive.com

Reconnecting With Lost Contacts: How to Overcome Awkwardness and Build New Bridges Have you ever let a promising connection or relationship slip away because you didn't follow up in a timely manner? Or perhaps someone didn't seem worth networking with before, but now they could be a key player in your industry. Whatever the reason, trying to reconnect can feel awkward. In this episode, we discuss strategies for getting back in touch without feeling embarrassed. You'll learn tips for crafting an outreach message that acknowledges the lapse while focusing on mutual benefit. We'll also talk about setting the right tone and making the other person feel valued, not used. It's never too late to revive dormant relationships and create meaningful bonds, even if time has passed. Tune in to gain the knowledge and confidence to reopen closed doors in a genuine, professional way. In this episode: Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee. https://philyanov.com Upcoming events: https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting. https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/ Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event. https://networkingovercoffee.com For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city. https://techafterfive.com