Overview

On this episode of Build Your Network, Host Travis Chappell interviews Chris Aarons, he helps leading organizations become digital in both their practice and delivery.

Topics Discussed:

• About Chris Aarons
  • Helped build dozens of company’s products using a unique mix of digital sales and marketing strategies.
  • Has worked with Adobe, Amazon, Cisco, Dell, AMD, HP, LG, Microsoft, Phillips, and others.
  • Teaches digital marketing at the University of Texas at Austin.
  • He really tried to figure out what he wants to do and it comes down to being a consultant and helping other succeed.
• What’s Chris most excited about?
  • He just published his first book, a Wall Street Journal Best Seller: The Digital Helix
  • What’s your number one takeaway from the book?
    • They’ve identified 7 different DNA components that need to work together in concert.
    • Only a few have all 7 working, having any less does not work.
  • What are some of the biggest mistakes you see organizations make as they’re trying to keep up in the digital age?
    • There’s so often not a link between people with similar jobs in organizations.
  • What’s the future of corporate culture?
    • If he finds something out that could change the course of their group, it could help another group too.
    • The old-school model is proving to be a failure.
    • Some companies keep going based on sheer volume and size of their footprint.
    • Bigger companies are slowly getting overtaken by the smaller companies with more of a focus on these things.
  • What do you think is going to help us adapt to connected/collaborative culture in the future?
    • Facebook is going through issues because there was not a connectedness.
      • We the users are their product, but they behave toward us like a commodity.
    • It never stops, you constantly have to be adapting.
    • Networking is great digitally, but sometimes you just need to get the bodies in the room.
  • Do you believe that what you know or who you know is more important, and why?
    • People who are really smart and have no network are largely worthless or isolated corner cases.
    • People with big networks and no knowledge don’t get a lot of connections.
    • You need to strike a balance to get insights and give insights.
    • Explain what you mean by the word “taker.”
      • We’ve all experienced people who try to get things out of you without giving anything back.
      • Every once in a while, we get sandwiched by people who constantly ask for favors.
      • If you can add value, that’s where the real relationships lie.
    • What is value and what are some ways we can offer it?
      • There’s value in being a really good listener and a sounding board.
        • The best thing you can say to someone when they’re grieving is to let them know the door is open when they want to talk.
        • Always look for tips you can provide and share them.
        • Ask what you can do to start a conversation that will branch out and grow from there.
      • If you’re not naturally thoughtful, put a system in place to become more thoughtful.
    • How do you feel about live events? Should you go, how many, are there too many, budget?
      • Big fan of live events, he does better in person than he does online.
      • There’s always a fear factor of going somewhere that you don’t know anyone.
      • You have to pick and choose which ones to go to or go with the flow of what’s working.
    • How do you get over the fear of networking?
      • You don’t really ever get over it.
      • Some people aren’t ready to extend a hand because they’re in a group.
      • Just because someone’s not ready to make a connection doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.
      • A lot of people who feel fear in a networking situation think they’re just not extroverted enough.
        • Nearly everyone goes through these feelings.
      • If you’re an introvert, try doing more directed networking.
      • Experiment and fail fast.
        • Find out what works for you.
        • Fail fast and take a lesson away – learn something from it.

The Random Round:

• • What profession other than your own do you think it would be fun to attempt?
    • Being an announcer for basketball or football.
  • If you could sit on a park bench with anyone for an hour who would it be, and why?
    • Someone from the JFK assassination
    • He has so many questions
  • How do you like to consume content best, books, blogs, podcasts, or videos?
    • Podcasts and reading
  • What’s one of your favorite podcast and book?
    • The Art of Noticing
    • Tim Ferriss’s podcast
  • Give us a glimpse of your morning routine
    • Get up early and go to the gym
    • Dive into work
  • What is your go-to pump up song?
    • Root Down by the Beastie Boys
  • What are you not very good at?
    • Networking
  • What is one place where we can find you online?
    • LinkedIn @caarons

Tweetable Quotes:

• Networking is great digitally, but sometimes you just need to get the bodies in the room.
• If you can add value, that’s where the real relationships lie.
• Just because someone’s not ready to make a connection doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.

Resources Mentioned:

Buildyournetwork.com– Podcast website

BYN.media/fb – Facebook Group

TheDigitalHelix.com – Chris’s website and book