Episode 67: Learning to Become an Effective Networker with Mark McKenzie

This week’s guest Mark McKenzie offers excellent advice on building strategic partnerships through effective networking. He gives us some simple ways to connect to new people to start relationships that create value for both parties.

Mark McKenzie is the owner of Atlanta-based Docqmax Digital Printing, a B2B printing company. He is a second-generation business owner who has some useful networking insights.

• About networking and building strategic partnerships
• How to win over customers by providing value to them— even if that means referring them to someone else
• How creating relationships is more important than making money
• Why it’s essential to learn about your customers and how you can help them
• How networking with your clients and customers benefits both parties
• Ways you can start networking
• How networking has changed in the last two years
• Why it’s important to get one on one time with those you plan to network with
• Why you should take the time to write personal notes thanking your network for their time
• Why you shouldn’t network with every single person you meet
• Ways to keep up with all the network connections you make
• Why you should set goals for networking before you start
• How to create a quality connection with people

• “It’s not about me winning a printing project, it’s me about providing value to the client.” —Mark McKenzie
• “We may not be the actual person doing the printing of our client’s project. And it’s because there’s a better fit out there for the client. And that’s the value we offer day in and day out.” —Mark McKenzie
• “You know, it’s important to make money. Uh, that’s how you stay in business for 46 years. But, it’s not as important as creating relationships and, and being there for the people that have helped you succeed along the way.” —Mark McKenzie
• “I have a term, it’s called conduit to connections and that’s something that I try to be. I try to be a conduit to connection. So the people I’m connected to and the people I am connecting to, I try to be a conduit. I try to connect the dots, so to speak.” —Mark McKenzie
• “Every Zoom meeting I go on is to find those dots that can be connected to develop those relationships.” —Mark McKenzie
• “I firmly believe that you have to have systems, you have to have intent. And part of that intent is knowing what you’re looking for, recording what you’re looking for, having your goals even before you go to a networking event, know what you want to get out of that.” —Mark McKenzie

• Mark’s Email: mark.mckenzie@docqmax.com 
• Mark’s phone number: (404) 724-9963
• Mark’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmckenzie/
• DOCQMAX Website – https://www.docqmax.com/

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