Clay Hicks NNP Episode One

Networking ProTips and Introducing the Networking Nexus Podcast

The networking world can be tough to navigate. You need the right strategies to succeed. We discuss a few of them in this episode and will cover a LOT more over time in the freshly launched “Networking Nexus Podcast”. Learn more below about why you should tune in to future episodes and what to expect.

Our guest today is none other than the Founder and CEO of H7, serial entrepreneur Clay Hicks. H7 recently celebrated its 15^th anniversary and has over 1,200 members.

When and Why Networking Became Important to Clay

Networking became very important to Clay when he started H7 and then even more so four or five years into the project. When he started H7 he was a single parent and his business life at the time began to change. He needed to change with it, he needed to bring relationships with him, that was the objective then. He immediately engaged with five people that helped him start H7.

In the beginning of H7 Clay did and to this day Clay still does 1:1’s with anybody that it makes sense to meet with. After four years and three thousand 1:1’s the system of “Connect, Serve, and Ask” was born. Now he’s had over 8,300 1:1’s and “Connect, Serve, and Ask” is still standing and getting better every day.

Clay says “If you’re an entrepreneur and you don’t have trusted relationships, you better go get them. That’s how needed they truly are.”

A Different Style of Networking

Networking is all about the focus on finding relationships. Clay loves this quote “When you focus on relationships and not the outcome, the outcome becomes more predictable” So, those that might not be as focused on relationships may be selling the person across from them, maybe they’re pitch slappers, that’s the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. With every person Clay meets he wants to connect with them, serve them, and ask of them in some form or fashion. That’s far different than the new or “normal” networker.

“Relationships” Defined

A “relationship” to Clay means doing something helpful for one another. How much trust you have will determine how much you’ll do for each other. If you have a little bit of trust, you’ll help each other a little. If you have a lot of trust, you’ll help each other a lot. In H7 a trusted relationship is defined as when someone asks you for help, you’ll try to give it. If you need help, they’ll help you. They’re a resource to you and you’re a resource to them. They see it that way and they act that way. Everybody wins.

Building Trust Out of the Gates

When it comes to building trust, the number one thing is not to “pitch slap” somebody. Number two is don’t assume you know what they want and try to help too early, connect with them first and get to know them. Build rapport. Number three is trying to help, intentionally. Ask “Who would you like to meet and how can I help?” The last little piece of that is you must have trust between two people. Not one person earns all the trust, and the other person doesn’t. The other person needs to help you and trust you as well.

Moving Past the Initial 1:1 Meeting

You have the first 1:1 to find out if you want to have further conversations. Then you have a second “Connect, Serve, and Ask” 1:1 meeting where you both share what you do for your clients. Once that’s satisfied and if you’re building trust with one another then you decide to meet with some kind of frequency. Then, when you’re meeting regularly, you’re starting to create predictable results because you’re intentionally showing up for one another.

The Reason for the Networking Nexus Podcast

Clay believes he needed to come up with a way to better serve the H7 leaders. H7 isn’t a top-down strategy, it’s a funnel up. As the CEO Clay is at the bottom and needs to push up and help the people he serves. Great relationships shoot out of the top of the funnel as a result. The Networking Nexus Podcast will help H7 leadership and members become more influential because it serves the greater good. It’s supporting the leaders that are out there running these meetings each and every week.

Why Should You Tune In to The Networking Nexus?

The leaders being interviewed communicate the life lessons they’ve learned in the networking world. They have valuable things to say that you can pick up on and use in your own business. They have wisdom to share. They have influence. They know how to build relationships. They are people that you want to learn from. H7 is sharing their genius with you!

What to Expect When You Get Involved with H7

When a leader steps in, Clay supports them by providing a platform for them to grow. H7 provides everything they need to operate successfully. So, as they’re operating their business they don’t have to work as hard because H7 provides support services. The H7 leaders can deploy them and have a methodology and framework to work within. H7 calls that their “word-of-mouth marketing platform”. It’s part of H7’s responsibility to lift them up and set them on that platform so it’s easy for them to serve and easy for them to lead. They don’t work for H7, H7 works for them.

H7 consultatively guides their leaders to reach their own business goals in addition to achieving the H7 business goals.

In closing, Clay said:

“We are different, our culture is special.

Join us if you want to be around a culture that is special and is built specifically for entrepreneurs.

You don’t have to be alone; we’re going to do this together.”