Today I am talking with Dr Ivan Misner, the Chairman and Founder of the business networking organisation BNI. Called “the Father of Modern Networking†by CNN and the “Networking Guru†by Entrepreneur magazine, Ivan is happy to share his knowledge, experience, and perspective on how to create connections that count.

Throughout our conversations there are many lessons and messages that can be applied to all aspects of your life, both personally and professionally.  From the pivotal moments when Dr Ivan Misner recognised that colleges and universities around the world were not teaching networking, social capital and emotional intelligence so he got together with a number of others to see how they could help each other, to the tips, principles and methods to make it happen.

If that was not enough we also talk about our relationship to other aspects in our life, from food and nutrition, health and wellbeing and keeping our life in “harmonyâ€.

Dr Ivan Misner summed it up with 3 words -

"Be Here Now".

Where ever you are and what ever you are doing,  just remember to “be here nowâ€.

So, take a listen to this conversation with Dr Ivan Misner and you will hear us discuss the VCP (visibility, credibility, profitability) process, the difference between a lead and a referral, and what it actually means when we give a referral or recommendation.

“When I give a referral, I give a little bit of my reputation awayâ€.

We also discuss the importance of having a network that is both deep and wide.  In fact Dr Ivan Misner explains that the number of names  that you have in your database is almost irrelevant.  It is how many will answer the phone when you call, and how many would be prepared to help if you need a favour or support.

Whilst much of our conversation revolves around networking and business, the chat also includes the impact that being diagnosed with Cancer had on Ivan and how he focused on his health and wellbeing.  If you want to learn more about this you can read the full story and other check out more information at www.misnerplan.com