Your BNI chapter has its own personality. But if you walked in as a visitor tomorrow, would you want to come back?

In this episode, I explore how warm welcomes, specific referral requests and well-trained members help visitors see BNI at its best. I also challenge the familiar idea that “meetings are for the visitors” and explain why serving members well helps demonstrate the value of membership.

From the first hello to a helpful conversation about next steps, every member shapes the experience.

Whether you’re a BNI member, a chapter leader or considering joining, tune in for practical ways to spot the gaps, revisit the training and help your chapter deliver an experience people want to be part of.

Are business cards outdated, or are we just using them the wrong way?

In this episode of The Imperfect Podcast, Wendy Lloyd Curley makes the case for keeping business cards in your networking toolkit. For her, a card is a tangible reminder to follow up, make an introduction or continue a conversation. She shares why collecting a stack of cards rarely helps, why handing yours to everyone can feel pushy, and how to keep track of meaningful connections when someone doesn’t have a card.

Do you still carry business cards? Wendy would love to hear what works for you.

In this episode of The Imperfect Podcast, Wendy begins a journey through her book, Stop Wasting Your Time Networking, by reading the introduction and revisiting the ideas that inspired it.

It begins with a wonderfully cheeky lesson from her friend Dave... you can often get what you want if you know what you want and are willing to ask for it.

Wendy explores why networking can feel awkward, expensive, and rather unproductive when we approach it as an opportunity to sell. She also introduces the golden rule of strategic networking: thou shalt not sell.

Because networking is not about finding someone to buy from you today. It is about better conversations, meaningful relationships, and discovering who you might meet along the way.

In this episode of The Imperfect Podcast, Wendy Lloyd Curley speaks with Andrea Hernandez from Adventures Web Digital about business, belonging, bravery, and the very human side of networking.

Andrea shares her story of moving from Colombia to Spain, then to the UK, and eventually to Australia, where she and her partner began building their own digital agency. With a background in creativity, web development, public service, and a deep desire to help people, Andrea’s journey into business is thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly real.

Together, Wendy and Andrea explore what it feels like to start a business in a new country, how isolating entrepreneurship can be, and why finding the right business community can make such a profound difference. Andrea speaks openly about her early experiences of networking, from awkward rooms and superficial connections to discovering BNI and finding not just referrals, but confidence, accountability, friendships, and a renewed sense of identity.

The conversation also touches on generational differences in networking, especially the way younger business owners often begin relationships online, while still deeply craving genuine face-to-face connection. At the heart of the episode is a simple but powerful idea: no matter our age, background, or business experience, networking works best when it begins with human connection.

This is a warm, reflective conversation about building a business, finding your people, and remembering that life really is one big adventure.

In this episode of The Imperfect Podcast, Wendy shares the story behind a new research project that has quickly grown into something much bigger... an exploration of how different generations approach networking, relationship building, and business development. Inspired by a chapter she has written for an upcoming book, Wendy reflects on the similarities and differences she sees between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers, and why understanding those perspectives matters more than ever.

If you've ever wondered whether age, personality, upbringing, or experience has the greatest influence on how we connect with others, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into a conversation that is only just beginning.

Want to contribute to the research? We'd love to hear your perspective. Complete the Networking Across Generations Survey here: https://strategicnetworking.com/networking-across-generations-survey-page

Welcome to another episode of The Imperfect Podcast with Wendy Lloyd Curley.

In this episode, we dive into the timeless principles of strategic networking and the power of niching—specializing in your business in a way that makes people say, “Wow.” Wendy shares personal stories from her own journey of mixing work and play, building a career of independence as a BNI franchise owner in Sydney North East, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Whether you’re listening now or years from now, the lessons here are designed to stand the test of time.

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Imperfect Podcast.

Guest: Stella Gianotto https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellagianotto

If you're the brave soul in charge of your BNI chapter's social media (or you just got voluntold), this episode is your survival kit. Branding expert Stella Gianotto joins us to answer the 8 essential questions every BNI chapter should be asking about social media... from what to post and where, to how to turn one weekly meeting into a week’s worth of engaging content.

We unpack how to keep it simple, make it meaningful, and actually attract visitors (not just your mum liking every post). Stella also shares why it’s better to keep your chapter’s socials in-house and how tagging isn’t just polite... it’s powerful referral marketing.

Fun, practical, and packed with wisdom you can use this week.

Warning: the social media tips shared in this podcast may improve your social media skills and results for your business.

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