Building a business from networking - with David Bell of PCD Group

Dec 17, 2024

David Bell, founder and director of PCD Group, has over 15 years of experience in advising high net worth clients and shares valuable insights on effective networking. He critiques traditional cocktail events, proposing more meaningful alternatives like seated dinners. David discusses transitioning from a career in accounting to launching his own business, emphasizing resilience during the pandemic. He highlights the importance of adapting business strategies and maintaining strong partnerships to sustain operations through difficult times.

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INSIGHT

Seated Dinners Enhance Networking

Cocktail party networking often leads to shallow conversations and distractions.
Seated dinners create a calm environment fostering deeper, more meaningful business conversations over time.

ANECDOTE

Networking Dinners Origin Story

David Bell explains how he transformed casual social networking dinners into professional seated dinner events.
These events now attract 150-200 guests helping professionals connect with purposeful conversations.

ADVICE

Prepare and Help First

Prepare for networking events by reviewing advance guest lists and requesting introductions.
Focus on helping others first by asking questions and listening to create value.

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#195: David Bell is a founder and director of PCD Group and has over 15 years of experience in advising high net worth clients on personal tax and financial planning. He explains what goes into creating an effective networking event, what it’s like having a hobby that is also a business, and when to go full-time with a business you’re creating.

What you’ll learn

[01:41] How the PCD Group helps professionals in the Private Wealth sector network.
[02:55] The problems with cocktail party networking.
[05:38] What goes into creating an effective networking event.
[07:31] The benefits of business cards and why some people don’t use them.
[09:55] How David became an expert in networking.
[13:45] The challenge of starting a networking group.
[15:50] How to know which opportunities to focus on.
[19:36] The intentional steps behind career changes.
[21:41] Building sales skills and other lessons from previous jobs.
[25:17] How to not take business changes personally.
[26:18] Having a hobby that is also a business.
[29:55] When to go full-time with a business you’re creating.
[33:00] The benefits of having a fallback plan.
[33:55] How the pandemic affected networking businesses.
[39:15] How a business's finances change when it moves online.
[41:56] The effort that went into keeping a networking business running during Covid.
[43:26] The current state of the PCD Group and what the future looks like.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase. This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/building-a-business-from-networking/

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