The Connect and Bloom Podcast with Despina Zanganas

Despina Zanganas
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Connect and Bloom is a networking podcast that features prominent women from all walks of life — each with a unique story about how the right connection changed her personal and professional life for the better. Join Networking Coach, Female Empowerment Champion & Force to Be Reckoned With, Despina Zanganas, for a hearty dose of honest reflections, expert advice, and some belly laughs too. Ready to harness the power of networking? Visit connectandbloom.com to learn more or to subscribe!

  1. 06/21/2022

    3 Part Series: How to Get Back to Series-In-Person Networking After Covid - 3. How to Stay Top of Mind after a Networking Event

    The final episode of the three-part series on how to get back to in-person networking after Covid is about what to do after the event to stay top of mind with your connections. Once the event is over and you’ve accomplished your networking goals, you may think all the work is done, but it’s really just started. In this episode, I talk about: how to follow up after a networking eventhow to stay top of mind with your networkand why not every connection is meant to work outI also cover the one key part about networking: that it’s about building relationships over time. You won’t want to miss this episode! (Check out my list of upcoming events in Toronto in the show notes below.)

    8 min

  2. 05/17/2022

    3 Part Series: How to Get Back to Series-In-Person Networking After Covid - 2. How to Show Up as Your Best Self at a Networking Event

    Part two of the three-part series on getting back to in-person networking after Covid is all about how to show up as your best self at the event. In this episode, I cover everything from:  how to dress for the eventwhere to standhow to approach someoneto how to leave the eventI’m going to share practical tips such as how to use power poses to get you in the right headspace. This episode is a deep dive that will leave you feeling confident and ready to make lasting connections. Tune in to learn all about this and more!

    11 min

  3. 04/19/2022

    3 Part Series: How to Get Back to Series-In-Person Networking After Covid - 1. How to Find & Prepare for Networking Events

    The next three episodes of the podcast is a 3-part series on getting back to in-person networking after Covid. Whether you’re a networking newbie, or you just need to sharpen those networking skills, I’m going to share some tips to help you find events, prepare for them, and what to do to follow up and make the most of your connections. Part 1 of the series is all about how to find and prepare for networking events. In this episode, I’ll cover:  why you need to define your networking goalshow to find networking events in your city how to background check the eventand how to prepare for the event Tune in to get all the tools you need to prepare for your upcoming in-person networking events and to show up as your best, most fearless self.

    9 min

  4. 03/15/2022

    Why networking is important

    This episode is all about why networking is important and why you should network. Even though I’m going to talk about why networking is important for you, networking, at its core, is about building relationships and supporting others. In this episode, I’ll share how I went from being a shy kid who lacked self-confidence to a networking expert, and how you can too. Remember: it’s not only about career growth; it’s about so much more. I’ll also talk about some of the research around the benefits of networking and some great advice from senior leader at Shopify, Christine Silva. Tune in to learn more about all this and:  the importance of tooting your own hornwhy networking is about nurturing relationshipsand how networking can make you happier!

    8 min

  5. 02/15/2022

    What is Networking?

    Season 3, episode 1 kicks off 2022 with a slightly new format. In this season, I’ll still be interviewing amazing women who are expert networkers, but I’ll mostly be selecting a specific topic about networking and doing a deep dive on it. This episode is all about answering the question, “What is networking?”  I start this episode off by addressing common misconceptions about networking that people often have all wrong. I talk about what networking actually is and all the different ways you can network that aren’t as scary as going to a big event, meeting total strangers, and “working the room.”  In this episode, I also discuss:  What networking really is Other ways to network (like using social media or volunteering)The importance of relationship-building with networking And so much more! I used to be absolutely terrified of networking. But once I realized it wasn’t at all about schmoozing, I began to love it. And you can too. Get your pen and paper ready and tune in! I’ve got a ton to share with you.

    11 min

  6. 12/21/2021

    2021 Recap: A Look Back at the Episodes From This Past Year

    Episode 7 is the last show of 2021. Over the past 12 months, I’ve had sixteen different guests, and each of them have had their own unique approach to networking. Some of the women I spoke to were born to network, some were terrified but overcame that fear, and some are still afraid of networking but have found ways to work around their fear…and have amassed a huge community as a result.  There were two consistent themes with all my guests: That networking isn’t about trying to close a deal or being schmoozy, it’s about building relationships. And that networking is about curiosity and being genuinely interested in the other person. This is really important.In this episode, I share a nugget of wisdom from each guest from my first two seasons, although they all definitely had so many more! Some highlights:   Julie Brown talks about how your closest ties might not be the ones that are going to help you get that new business deal or promotionStacey Berry on how a digital detox can lead to new networking breakthroughsAngela Payne talks about how to recreate that in-person networking feeling online during COVIDLeslie Hughes’ tips on how to use LinkedIn as a networking tool (what to do and what not to do)And the importance of personal branding for networking with Chanele McFarlane

    14 min

  7. 12/07/2021

    Julie Brown - Speaker | Author This Sh!t Works | Host: This Sh!t Works Podcast | Networking Coach

    Episode 6 finds me speaking with Speaker, Author, Podcast Host, Networking Coach, and Business Development Strategist: Julie Brown. Julie is one of the few guests I’ve interviewed that I had never met in person. In fact, we were never formally introduced, nor have we bumped into each other at an event. (We’re living proof that there are more ways to network than you might think!) After learning she was a fellow networking guru, I bought her book, did some research, and very soon realized I wanted to bring her on to the show. I was thrilled when she accepted my invitation. Tune in this week as we chat about:  -why networking is no different than relationship building, and why we shouldn’t distinguish between “real” friends and other friendships (they’re all real!) -why Julie disagrees with a well-known evolutionary psychologist’s thoughts on stable social relationships -how to overcome your fear of networking (hint: try the “list yourself approach”) -how women can learn from men when it comes to networking outside of their comfort zone — and asking for what they want -why our economic background shouldn’t hold us back in the world of networking Website: https://juliebrownbd.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-brown-b6942817 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliebrown_bd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliebrownbd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIwWVdayM2mYXzR9JNLJ55Q Listen to Julie's Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-shit-works/id1528595881 Buy Julie's Book This Shit Works: A No-Nonsense Guide to Networking Your Way to More Friends, More Adventures, and More Success

    50 min

  8. 11/23/2021

    Stacey Berry - Government Relations Consultant, Author, President & Founder of Bstellar Group Inc.

    In Episode 5, I got to interview Government Relations Consultant, Author, President & Founder of Bstellar Group Inc., Stacey Berry. Stacey and I met a few years back at a Lean In event, and as is the case with so many of my guests, the two of us share a passion for networking. Which is why I was super intrigued to learn about her year-long “digital detox.” This exercise forced her to find other ways to network and helped her discover the only and only social platform she wanted to return to after the year was up. Tune in to hear us chat about how a digital detox can lead to new networking breakthroughs, as well as topics like: - the importance of being intentional and strategic about where you choose to network - how networking can help you improve your public speaking skills and communication style - why body language is more important than you think - why you shouldn’t get hung up on titles or connecting with high-profile people - how ‘listening to understand’ is very different from ‘listening to respond’ — and why this matters in a networking environment Stacey's Links​​ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-ann-b-603b89215 Website: www.staceyannberry.com Website: www.bstellargroup.com Stacey's book Deeper Reflections of Life: Words To Inspire The Heart and Uplift The Soul: http://shorturl.at/wCKU0

    43 min
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About

Connect and Bloom is a networking podcast that features prominent women from all walks of life — each with a unique story about how the right connection changed her personal and professional life for the better. Join Networking Coach, Female Empowerment Champion & Force to Be Reckoned With, Despina Zanganas, for a hearty dose of honest reflections, expert advice, and some belly laughs too. Ready to harness the power of networking? Visit connectandbloom.com to learn more or to subscribe!

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