1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:23,640 Hello and welcome to Networking Unleashed, Building Profitable Connections. 2 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:24,840 Welcome to the show, folks. 3 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:33,960 I'm your host, Michael Forman, and you're listening to the podcast where networking is more than just awkward handshakes and bad coffee. 4 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,400 It's an art and a talent. 5 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,400 Yet here's the twist. 6 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:42,080 It's an art and talent you can actually learn. 7 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:53,280 Yes, even if you're the person hiding in the corner at every event pretending to check emails, networking isn't just a nice skill to have. 8 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:55,080 It's a game changer. 9 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,980 When you get good at it, you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner. 10 00:00:58,980 --> 00:01:03,560 More connections, more opportunities, more profits. 11 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:07,040 It's like unlocking a cheat code for life. 12 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:14,320 So whether you're the life of the party or the let me just stay at home and text type, we've got something for you. 13 00:01:14,320 --> 00:01:21,760 Stick around and let's turn those awkward small talk moments into big wins. 14 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:26,000 Now, my guest today, Kunal Desai. 15 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,480 Is that, did I pronounce that correctly? 16 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:29,560 All right. 17 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:38,680 He has really, he's got such a broad background and so much experience that if I were to try to tell you, I'd butcher it. 18 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:48,640 So Kunal brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working closely with restaurant owners. 19 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,360 Now, this really comes in handy. I used to be a restaurant, restaurant owner. 20 00:01:53,360 --> 00:02:01,400 Okay. So I know exactly what you're talking about, but Kunal, welcome and why don't you tell us about your background. 21 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:07,320 Michael, thank you very much for your welcome to ours, to your show and for the warm introduction. 22 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:09,520 As Michael mentioned, my name is Kunal Desai. 23 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:17,720 I'm one of the co-founders of this global marketplace we launched connecting restaurants and diners called meal deals. 24 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:31,360 So by simply visiting mealdeals.app in any browser, you instantly connect and find all the local food and drink specials that restaurants are offering for that relevant day and time. 25 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:36,720 So anybody logging on today, we're recording the show live on a Monday. 26 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:44,960 So if anybody wants to go on to meal deals right now, so in Atlanta or Toronto, they would see everything for Monday lunch. 27 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:49,240 If you were in California, everything you would see right now would be for Monday breakfast. 28 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:53,480 If you're in Europe, everything you're seeing is for a Monday dinner. 29 00:02:53,480 --> 00:03:04,600 So it's really lovely where it doesn't matter where in the world you are, our algorithm automatically updates and filters and shows you relevant information that is useful to you. 30 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:16,880 And since restaurants are location based businesses because they are short of food trucks, most of them tend to be fairly stuck or rigid in where they are because they have a storefront. 31 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:22,680 The best customers that live that the best customers for a restaurant are those that live and work near them. 32 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:30,160 So we wanted to build a hyper local messaging platform for restaurants specifically just for restaurants and hospitality. 33 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:37,680 That would allow them to communicate to people that live and work near them saying, hey, this is the awesome stuff that we have that's available for you. 34 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:48,240 And Michael, my journey has been a whirlwind of things culminating to this sort of final objective or purpose. 35 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:55,280 And as you were so kind enough to say, I've had the luxury of a very dynamic background and experience. 36 00:03:55,280 --> 00:04:01,160 I have a message in financial economics from the Robin School of Management at the University of Toronto. 37 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:07,040 I worked in capital markets for a little bit in investment banking and portfolio management. 38 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:09,520 And then I got into the entrepreneurship journey. 39 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,040 And then entrepreneurship as well. 40 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:23,320 My first foray into entrepreneurship was in the food trading business, very high risk, given the perishable nature of the product, extremely financial loss making, but very educational. 41 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:31,760 And along the way, I evolved into marketing as something that given my limited capital resources. 42 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:42,360 Having recognized the failures from the food trading company, I was marketing with something that just I kind of sort of fell into by sheer luck. 43 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:47,480 I guess I networked with some of my neighbors, told them that I was looking for something to do in my life. 44 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:53,120 One of my neighbors happened to be connected with somebody in a telecom company in the marketing division. 45 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:59,480 Next thing I know within an email within a week, I'm getting an email for a purchase order for five figures. 46 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:05,440 And I'm going, hey, you know what, I can actually probably monetize this and make a living out of this. 47 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:17,040 And it all started out of my willingness to just network and ask and connect with my neighbor who had it been me in a situation or in a setting where I may not have been this desperate. 48 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:21,680 I perhaps may not have thrown that dart or taken a shot. 49 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:24,360 That's that's absolutely wonderful. 50 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:28,040 Now, you touched upon networking. 51 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:36,960 Now, of course, you know, networking is the basis of this show, but you as an individual, you were just starting out as an entrepreneur. 52 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:42,080 You started by that connection with your neighbor, with your networking. 53 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,400 How do you network now? 54 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:58,920 Now, we this is really a digital age, but what I profess is the one on one networking, the walking into a networking event, the networking between people. 55 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:03,360 What do you do and how do you do it? 56 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:08,840 You know, networking is like anything else in life. There's not just one dimension to it. 57 00:06:08,840 --> 00:06:17,480 It's an ongoing continuous process. I had there's a couple of key parts of some learnings that I've just taken away along the way. 58 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:26,600 One is I always say this because like this is something that no offense any cat owners, but I remember I had a business partner one time, an older gentleman, and I'm sure you know what's coming. 59 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:30,840 There's you always said you always told me, there's a lot of ways to skin a cat. 60 00:06:30,840 --> 00:06:33,520 And I wish they had a better saying for that. 61 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:40,400 Because I always, every time I say that statement, I always say, yeah, no offense to cat owners because no one can get any cat. 62 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,600 So I wish there was another way to say that in a similar transfer. 63 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:49,240 So if you have any phrase, I would love for you to share that with me. Perhaps use a better example in the future. 64 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:52,720 Well, no, well, I'm going to put that aside for right now. 65 00:06:52,720 --> 00:07:01,720 OK, because you're networking, you have to deal with your, listen, this is a mantra with networking. 66 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:07,320 If they know you, if they like you, if they trust you, then they'll do business with you. 67 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:09,320 Yes. And that's very important. 68 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:13,840 Now, know you, well, everybody knows you because you're out there, right? 69 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,240 And you've put yourself out there. 70 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:22,640 Now, like you, that now is the field down a little bit because not everybody's going to like you. 71 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,920 But that trust factor, that's so important. 72 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:30,840 And you have what, 30 seconds, a minute, five minutes, 10 minutes. 73 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:41,280 Sometimes a half an hour, you have to build that wall, that level of trust and have their wall come down before you can even start doing business with them. 74 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:46,880 Because if they don't trust you, they're not going to do business with you. 75 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:58,080 So with all of that in mind, do you have some key elements for effective marketing or networking? 76 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:04,280 Yes. And, you know, the second part of the first part was there's a lot of ways to network. 77 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:09,600 It doesn't take away from the fact that you still have to be genuine, trustworthy and have that personal like you. 78 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:13,240 Those are the requirements for successful networking. 79 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:15,440 What I was alluding to is a lot of ways to do it. 80 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:25,880 And Michael, I actually have my own podcast called Subject Matter Pros, where I had the privilege of getting a US veteran on there by the name of Mr. Kevin Snow. 81 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:38,920 And his, one of the coolest experiences he shared with me about networking, the way he looked at networking was not necessarily developing his own network, but just building networks. 82 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:47,720 So even if that means connecting people that you know that may be benefiting or beneficial for the person you're communicating with. 83 00:08:47,720 --> 00:09:02,880 So even though you don't have direct benefit from that relationship, you just happen to know two individuals who could potentially leverage their knowledge or skills or understanding and help create some magic and improvement for overall growth. 84 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:17,520 And that was a very big mind shift moment for me because typically, and it's commonplace where we because we're so self-centered and focused on how we can improve our well-being. 85 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:26,760 We often view things through that lens of, okay, how is this directly assisting me or where do I stand to benefit from this? 86 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:29,680 And that creates some transaction. 87 00:09:29,680 --> 00:09:45,720 Now, anytime you're thinking of benefits for yourself, unfortunately, most people or most of the world is designed or people use cleverness in a way where if somebody's winning, it comes at the cost of somebody losing. 88 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:51,440 So that creates a little bit of mistrust and it's like, okay, if you're going to win, then what is it that I'm going to lose? 89 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:56,040 Whereas if you understand that creation is about where the entire system wins. 90 00:09:56,040 --> 00:10:04,160 So if you can come up with building that understanding with your audience that, hey, listen, our goal here is to improve the system. 91 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:08,200 And when the system wins, we all benefit and the results of those benefits are shared by us. 92 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:24,440 Sure, the benefits may not be shared equivocally or equally across all the participants, but they all stand to benefit versus any one of them suffering negative consequences, completely shifts what the benefits are. 93 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:33,400 And then in order to do that, you know, like anything else in life, so you hear about this all the time, people hear about things exposed over a long period of time. 94 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:39,840 So sometimes in your networking, don't go into networking with how can I benefit from being in this room at this present moment? 95 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:48,640 This more so, how can I add value to this room so that all the participants in the room can take away something better, whether or not it is directed to action with me or not? 96 00:10:48,640 --> 00:11:01,600 It's irrelevant. It's about enhancing the overall effectiveness of the room because I've had the privilege of being in so many rooms where the room has been so effective that by me being a player and participating in that room, I naturally get to pick up the signatures. 97 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:07,960 So that was a very cool shift that was brought into my being as to what networking is. 98 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:11,640 So now it's not just about connecting myself with other individuals. 99 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:17,200 It's also about connecting people that I know with other people that I think may benefit. 100 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:20,720 And then the second part to your question is how do you network in the digital age? 101 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:28,960 And, you know, a network using and sales is networking of sorts because you're reaching out to people, try to convince them to do something. 102 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:36,960 And there's every way from walking and talking so if somebody interacts with me, I'm one of those that I was joking about. 103 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:40,080 Like, you make eye contact with me. You're going to know how you're going to get a hello from me, you know? 104 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:46,920 So from in-person, the hellos to digital hellos, digital reach outs across all mediums. 105 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:52,640 And just hoping that, you know, when you're consistent across all channels, 106 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:58,920 because everyone reacts differently to different modes of communication, the goal being, OK, how can I connect with them? 107 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,200 This person in a way where they may relate to the best. 108 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:06,640 Then to the day after all of that is done. That's just the initial point of contact. 109 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:13,040 After that, I do personally prefer either a verbal communication or a Zoom or in-person, 110 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:16,120 depending upon the geographical constraints we're faced with, 111 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:22,880 because that definitely helps enhance and optimize the reason for why people connect. 112 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:29,520 I touch on so many different important aspects of networking and your networking. 113 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:36,840 One thing I want to bring you back to is the act of giving and not receiving. 114 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:42,560 In other words, when you walk into a networking environment, you're looking to say, 115 00:12:42,560 --> 00:12:48,040 what can I do for somebody else without even looking at what you can gain from it? 116 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:53,120 So one thing that I do in my talks and speeches and my workshops, you know, 117 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:58,680 I say, when you go to a networking event and you sit down with somebody, 118 00:12:58,680 --> 00:13:02,640 say, how can I make you more successful? 119 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:07,440 How can I be a good referral source for you? 120 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:10,320 And that usually blows the other person away. 121 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:13,160 Like, what do you mean? You haven't even told me what you did yet. 122 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:18,480 You know, I said, I know, but I like what you do. I like how you do it. 123 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:21,200 How can I be the best referral source for you? 124 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:23,280 And then they go on with the conversation. 125 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:31,120 So that's one very important aspect of the network of the in-person meeting. 126 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:35,160 You know, ever since the pandemic, people lost their minds. 127 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:36,880 They don't know how to talk to one another. 128 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:38,520 They don't know how to communicate. 129 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:42,760 And all of this is the art of communication. 130 00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:44,960 And that's all how we speak to one another. 131 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:53,160 Okay, so we went over all of your wonderful, good things that you do 132 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,280 in networking and everything else. 133 00:13:55,280 --> 00:14:09,560 But what is, what mistakes have you made and how did you overcome them? 134 00:14:09,560 --> 00:14:14,520 My biggest mistake, I think, would be, and I'm still extremely guilty of this still today, 135 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:24,080 it would be an unfair expectation of imposing the same level of urgency 136 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:28,680 that I bring in my communication and expecting that from my counter parties. 137 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:33,600 You know, networking is something where I've come across so many individuals 138 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:40,200 who are in order of scale busier than I am, yet they always have time to respond. 139 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:48,600 So responding to me is your decision of whether you want to prioritize an interaction 140 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,720 or engagement with someone. 141 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:55,240 It's not so much about you having the time, it's about you prioritizing it. 142 00:14:55,240 --> 00:15:02,280 And one of my biggest, and this is something where I'm just a very robust, passionate individual. 143 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:05,440 So for me, the timing of things is very critical. 144 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:10,480 Again, I work best with individuals who share that same reciprocity of urgency. 145 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:14,320 And with networking oftentimes, especially when you're taking an indirect approach, 146 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:18,880 like we shared where you're not necessarily tapping, 147 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,080 you're not necessarily providing them the network benefits 148 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:24,840 where you're allowing them to tap into your network for them to realize the benefits 149 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:29,520 and using those long run relationships to see how you can grow synergistically. 150 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:35,960 Because like you mentioned, when you have trust as a critical part of business relationships, 151 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:39,840 when you can move that, do I trust you way before anything else? 152 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:43,120 Because now if you've helped this individual and done something, 153 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:48,560 it helps build up that little bit of report and trust before you've even done anything direct 154 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:53,280 as far as commerce goes with said individual or business or party. 155 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:55,880 That may help with the process. 156 00:15:55,880 --> 00:16:01,200 But I wish I was slightly more patient in the networking side of things 157 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:08,520 because not everybody at networking events tends to be that robust in their communication. 158 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,120 Not everybody goes there with the same intention. 159 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:15,280 But then the flip side, I'm going, you know, if it's a law of large numbers, 160 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:23,800 if I'm doing more events like this, then by what I really want also is to meet other passionate individuals 161 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:27,200 who share the same enthusiasm about working together. 162 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:31,000 It doesn't, if we don't have to work, our businesses don't have to have a natural fit. 163 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:34,720 But it's about understanding that we both have that same passion for improving the system 164 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:39,480 and what can we do with our skill set and our connections that we can use to improve the system? 165 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:43,440 Because when the system wins, you are going to win. 166 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,760 Absolutely. Absolutely. 167 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:51,600 Okay, so what role does follow up? 168 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:55,880 What types of ways do you follow up? 169 00:16:55,880 --> 00:17:03,120 And really, what's your system to follow up with, you know, your various contacts? 170 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,720 Again, Omni Channel comes down to how we initiate a contact. 171 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:12,280 That's one of the skills that I think I've been lucky enough to evolve through my time of leadership 172 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:18,360 and entrepreneurship is understanding how different people like to be motivated. 173 00:17:18,360 --> 00:17:21,760 And again, that's the same thing where, you know, there's a lot of ways to skin the cat. 174 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:25,720 That statement, you can apply that to so many use cases of life. 175 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:30,200 And availability of information is another one too. 176 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:33,120 Sometimes you may want to call up the person, but if you just don't have the phone number, 177 00:17:33,120 --> 00:17:34,640 you can't even pick up the phone and call them. 178 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:38,520 So we are, you know, limited by what information is available to us. 179 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:44,680 But personally, I love talking to people because I'm sure you identify in a short period of time 180 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:49,160 and I hope your audience is enjoying my little soliloquies along the way. 181 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:53,960 So if it was for me and I had the luxury to and I had the access to information, 182 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:56,160 personally, I would just pick up the phone and dial. 183 00:17:56,160 --> 00:18:00,080 Then again, everyone is always busy and we're mobile on the go. 184 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,480 There's a lot of priorities that need reallocation. 185 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:07,040 So email follow up still becomes a useful way of just, you know, 186 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:14,280 ensuring that there's a written, easily searchable documentation of any communication that may impact. 187 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:29,760 What are your top three strategies for ensuring a networking interaction leads to an actionable result? 188 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:31,520 That's a very great question. 189 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:36,320 And that's very difficult to answer because that's why I ask it. 190 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:38,760 I know. 191 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:42,560 And we're so individual and unique in our being. 192 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:50,160 I think, you know, the top three strategies, they would sort of almost align with what you 193 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:54,440 what you say as far as networking goes, you know, where they like you, they'll listen to you, 194 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:56,640 they'll trust you and they'll buy from you. 195 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:59,600 So I think the first one is, you know, authenticity. 196 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:05,200 I think you cannot, when there's a natural passion and authenticity to somebody's willingness to connect, 197 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:10,240 that goes beyond the immediate short term financial or connection. 198 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:16,680 And like I've been in rooms where I know that if I'm in a general networking space where there may be a lot of incumbents, 199 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:23,320 sure, I have very strict boundaries because my time is limited and I have to interact with a lot of people. 200 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:29,760 So I put up a big guard wall where, you know, I say, OK, if you don't understand meal deals or if you're not in my wheelhouse, 201 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:34,680 I'm just going to shake your hand, wish you a wonderful evening and move on because I'm constrained by so many minutes 202 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:37,320 and so many other individuals that we have to interact with. 203 00:19:37,320 --> 00:19:45,000 So that genuineness, I think, is something that really helps authenticity and genuineness shines through. 204 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:51,200 The second thing is, I think that willingness for how can you enhance the system and not myself? 205 00:19:51,200 --> 00:20:00,440 And that goes to extension of the authenticity of, OK, how can I understand what it is that I'm able to offer this individual in terms of, 206 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:09,280 because we're all, when I reflect on my life, I'm just a creature of all the wonderful teachers and professors and mentors and bosses 207 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:11,880 that I've had along the way with poured wisdom into me. 208 00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:15,400 And all I am is just a mosaic of all of their knowledge. 209 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:19,200 And I get to use it piecemeal based on the situations I'm in. 210 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:28,640 So from a networking standpoint, how can I share some of those details with my, with the individuals I'm connecting with? 211 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:39,840 We're hoping that some of this knowledge transfer may be beneficial to them without me directly being an intermediary in the application of such knowledge. 212 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:41,920 Because now I've taken this network and I've reached it. 213 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:45,560 And then the third part of that is an extension of this. 214 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:50,280 It's like, how can you make this more than about yourself? 215 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:54,280 So networking is about connecting. 216 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:57,760 You don't have to necessarily be the core point of connection every time. 217 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:07,080 If you can put together a few right people and connect them and have their network grow through, you'll be surprised at how who knows five years, ten years down the line. 218 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:12,800 There'll be such a fond memory of the network that you've helped create in ways that you didn't even know you helped create. 219 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:21,520 You could pick up, again, all kinds of tangible and intangible benefits from having created such wonderful connections. 220 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:25,840 And good. Very good answer, by the way. See, it wasn't so difficult. 221 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:38,840 OK, Hime, what's one essential tip that you would give somebody looking to help them with their networking or sales skills? 222 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:40,480 Repetition and don't be shy. 223 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:45,200 I know it's sort of like, there are two tips, but in my view, they go hand in hand. 224 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:45,960 Just keep going. 225 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:48,200 Like it's literally a numbers game. 226 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,680 And the more you do it, the better you get at it. 227 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:52,080 You're going to get nose anyways. 228 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:56,440 You might as well solicit the nose or it brings you that much closer to the yes. 229 00:21:56,440 --> 00:22:02,640 And I know these are very heuristic sort of aphoristic things that I'm saying, almost aphorisms of sorts. 230 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:05,680 Every no gets you closer to a yes, so on and so forth. 231 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:10,600 But still, like, you know, it's just the truth that it is still a large numbers game. 232 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:11,640 There's eight billion of us. 233 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:13,880 Are we going to network with eight billion human beings? 234 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:15,360 Mathematically, it's not possible. 235 00:22:15,360 --> 00:22:21,120 Well, our time on planet Earth will be seized before we'll end before we can physically connect with eight billion people. 236 00:22:21,120 --> 00:22:26,760 Right. So any factor in the limitations of how much time we have and how many people we can reach with, 237 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:30,240 I think the goal should be just, you know, how can I maximize my outreach? 238 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:32,920 OK, that's good. 239 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:39,800 So with everything you've told me, everything you've said, what's your favorite marketing tip? 240 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:43,520 Man, I love talking to people. 241 00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:49,440 So if I could just show someone, you know, and I love helping people to Michael, that's one of my core purposes in life. 242 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:55,400 Our businesses built around helping restaurants and people. 243 00:22:55,400 --> 00:23:01,960 And if I can do anything surrounding, how can I help somebody? 244 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:08,960 I'm winning. So for me, that's been like my number one sort of like motivator is that. 245 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:14,280 As I mentioned earlier, I'm so lucky to have so many individuals 246 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:22,720 share knowledge with me and connect me and rich enriching my life in so many ways that it's naturally like almost like a humble servitude. 247 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:27,080 I haven't built into my core being where I must pass forward. 248 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:28,680 So it becomes very easy for me. 249 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:29,920 And then I love talking to people. 250 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:33,760 So if I can, you know, just help someone in whatever way, shape and form, 251 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:38,560 if I can make an idea of an improvement in their existing being, then that's my job. 252 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:42,680 And, you know, I know I can do that on an ongoing active basis. 253 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:46,120 So I take pride in trying to do it as many times as I want. 254 00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:48,440 It goes horribly wrongly sometimes. 255 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:53,960 But say, sometimes, you know, even football stars and Super Bowl MVPs throw 256 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:56,280 interceptions and fumble the ball. So that's just a part of life. 257 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:03,560 It's true. That's true. OK, let's bring this full circle and just give me one takeaway 258 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:07,800 that my listeners can use today. One takeaway. 259 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:14,040 I think Michael, you alluded to that building a trust factor and that trust really is. 260 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:16,800 Comes from relationships. 261 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:20,800 So I think, you know, focus on networking as a relationship building tool. 262 00:24:21,360 --> 00:24:27,880 And you'll be amazed that, you know, how far you can go when you can truly 263 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:32,040 leverage your network in that way, rather than just going through your 264 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:37,960 Rolodex and saying, how can individual ABC help me? 265 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:43,840 Trying to figure out, OK, how can a help z or how can x help v and so on and so forth? 266 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:47,960 And again, it doesn't have to, you don't have to spend time coming up with those benefits, 267 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:52,360 but through enough practice, eventually that'll just become second nature where 268 00:24:52,360 --> 00:24:57,000 because you're constantly connecting the right kinds of individuals and making 269 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:03,160 marketplaces for ideas to sort of be born or be actualized. 270 00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:07,840 To repetition, that'll just become a natural skill. 271 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:16,040 It's great. Great. Kunal, I can't tell you how excited and great this podcast was 272 00:25:16,360 --> 00:25:20,880 because we got to hear all about your experience, what you're doing, your energy 273 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:25,800 itself, just to to put forth this extra business is just is incredible. 274 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:30,600 How could somebody, how would somebody get in touch with you if they wanted to know 275 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:34,440 more or invest or be coached by you? 276 00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:35,880 How could they get in touch with you? 277 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:41,560 Thank you, sir. You know, we build meal deals to be a global marketplace. 278 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:43,200 We're already in 53 countries. 279 00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:47,720 If there's any restaurant owners or folks who have friends that own 280 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:50,760 restaurants that are listening to this and they would like to add their 281 00:25:50,760 --> 00:25:52,840 restaurants to meal deals, it's very easy. 282 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:56,400 You just go to meal deals dot app forward slash register. 283 00:25:56,840 --> 00:26:03,160 So the URL is triple W dot meal deals with an S dot APP forward slash 284 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:07,760 register. And it's a fully automated, simple to use solution that allows you 285 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:12,600 to sign up your restaurant and start announcing anything you want to locals. 286 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:15,840 And if anybody wants to get in touch with us, our email address is 287 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:17,680 Hello at meal deals dot app. 288 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:22,320 And yeah, we look forward to areas of suggestions for improvement. 289 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:28,040 Enhancements, just any tips, anything that would help enhance and improve our 290 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:30,560 ability to serve our users. 291 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:34,040 We cherish and look forward to any of those suggestions and recommendations. 292 00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:35,760 Very good. 293 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:39,720 Kunal. Thank you so much for coming on to the podcast. 294 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:43,040 Pleasure to be on your show, Michael. 295 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:44,440 Thank you for allowing me to be a guest. 296 00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:47,600 Well, hold on folks. 297 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:48,640 Don't go anywhere. 298 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:53,600 Let me just read a few of our sponsors that we have struggling to read success. 299 00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:59,320 Maybe it's time to quit in quit your way to success by Rodney Davis. 300 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:04,360 This reveals 27 steps to breaking bad habits that hold you back. 301 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:10,160 This powerful book helps you rewire your mindset, take control of your actions 302 00:27:10,360 --> 00:27:16,160 and turn setbacks into stepping stones with real life examples, motivational quotes 303 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:20,440 and actionable lessons, especially for sales professionals. 304 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:24,080 You'll gain the tools to quit what's stopping you and start winning. 305 00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:26,080 Transform your future today. 306 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:32,080 So quit your way to success by Rodney Davis available now on Amazon. 307 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:36,160 And this is a nonprofit called Rev'd Up Kids. 308 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,960 This is something I believe in wholeheartedly. 309 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:45,200 Rev'd Up Kids is on a mission to protect children and teens from sexual abuse 310 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:47,000 exploitation and trafficking. 311 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:51,680 They provide prevention training programs for children, teens and adults. 312 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:55,120 To learn more, go to Rev'dUpKids.org. 313 00:27:55,320 --> 00:28:02,160 That's R-E-V-V-E-D-U-P-K-I-D-S.org. 314 00:28:03,840 --> 00:28:05,920 Well, that's a wrap, folks. 315 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:11,000 A huge thank you to our special guests for sharing such incredible insights today. 316 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:15,440 And of course, a big shout out to you, our amazing listeners, 317 00:28:15,640 --> 00:28:18,440 for tuning in and spending your time with us. 318 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:22,280 Remember, networking isn't about being perfect. 319 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:24,000 It's about being present. 320 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:29,000 So take what you've learned today, get out there and make some meaningful connections. 321 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:32,720 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, 322 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:38,200 leave us a review and share it with someone who could use a little networking inspiration. 323 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:40,680 Let's keep the conversation going. 324 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:47,960 You can find me on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or my website, MichaelAForman.com. 325 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:54,640 Remember, until next time, keep practicing, keep connecting and keep building those relationships. 326 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,200 This is Michael A. Forman signing off. 327 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:08,720 Take care and happy networking.