Episode Details

Our guest for this week is Larry Benet, a thought-provoking and highly entertaining seminar speaker often referred to as “One of the Most Connected People on the Planet”.

About Larry

Larry is a world-renowned Connector and the Founder and CEO of the Larry Benet Agency, the Thought Leaders Mastermind Series, SANG Events (Speakers and Authors Networking Group), and the creator/author of the Connection Mastery training system. SANG is a group of some of the most successful speakers and authors in the world. On the list of SANG Members and Participants, you can find esteemed professionals such as Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Peter Guber, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hanse, Harvey Mackay, Keith Ferrazzi, Tony Hsieh of Zappos and Paula Abdul.

Larry’s goal is to raise a billion dollars over his lifetime through his connections, business ventures, and social influence. He is a strong advocate for many charity organizations and believes that we CAN and WILL change the world, and solve the problems that plague so many people in America.  He is the past Chairman of the Tsunami Disaster Relief Project, where he brought top business leaders together to raise money for the victims of the Indonesian Tsunami.

He has also supported the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, served on the advisory board of the Wyland Foundation and the Soul of Africa, and has helped raise money for Richard Branson’s charity, Virgin Unite. When Larry isn’t working, he likes to attend live concerts, sporting events, and award shows like the Grammy’s. On the top of that list, however, is spending time with his 4 little nieces.

Connect with Larry:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrybenet
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/larrybenet
• Website: http://www.larrybenet.com/

In This Episode We Canvas:

• The Big Turn-off of Networking

Larry has never been excited about networking and doesn’t encourage it at all. He is more focused on connecting with influential people and other people in general and believes more in helping people, adding value to their lives, serving them, and making a difference in their lives in an authentic manner. 

“One of the last things that I personally would like to do is go to an event where I don’t know anyone and try to walk up to random strangers.” - Larry Benet

• The 5-Step Recipe for Connecting

His recipe for connecting with people starts with creating an authentic meaningful personal connection with someone, followed by finding out what is most important to them, helping them get what they want, being a good VC (Value Creator), and setting up a good strong follow up system that will ensure you stay in touch with them. 

“You don’t have to be a venture capitalist, but if you can just master the skill of value creation, in my opinion, that’s one of the most valuable things you can learn.” - Larry Benet

• How to Figure Out What’s Important to People

Finding out what’s important to people both personally and professionally is a game-changer and the best method is still - just to ask them, point-blank. And if you can help them to get closer to achieving it - your relationship will be off to a great start!

“After I have a rapport with someone, I’ll just come flat out and ask them what’s the important project or goal they’re working on in case I or my influential network might be able to help them.” - Larry Benet