Interview with Mark Winebrenner of the Christian Business Networking Association

Mark  Winebrenner is the President of the Christian Business Networking Association (CBNA). It is a free national online community of Christians in Business for the purposes of networking and sharing information and ideas. Mark graciously agreed to be interviewed for A Virtual Blessing’s inaugural e-newsletter.  He shares several great networking tips and advice.

When and why did you start the Christian Business Networking Association (CBNA)? What is its purpose? We incorporated the name 2005, receiving our non-profit status in 2006.  At that time there were no venues or events at which Christians in business could network together on a regular basis.  Furthermore what we saw were a gluttony of business networking options in the secular marketplace but not a place to learn how to be better networkers.  Finally and most importantly, we wanted to create an environment in which Christians could both serve and be served by their brothers and sisters in Christ and be part of something bigger than themselves by helping to grow the community of Christians in business.  So many great things can happen with Believers gather together for help, encouragement and mutual edification.

Before you were President of CBNA, what was your profession or background? My career started in the hospitality industry, specifically front office operations in hotels.  I managed desk clerks, bellmen and night audit operations.  Then I transitioned into apartment management when I learned to balance hospitality for residents, managing property maintenance and the sales team.  This is when my sales career began in leasing apartments; a great marriage of both sales and management.

After 9 years I launched into the world of the self employed working as an independent sales rep for the Christian Business Phone Book and imprinted promotional products.  I still have a small promo product business.  My 12 years with the phone book was a key catalyst in bringing Christians in business together for networking.

What makes CBNA different from other networking groups? I am a strong believer that as Christians, our business is our strongest platform for serving the Lord.  We spend more time at work than any other single aspect of our life which includes time with our family.  Part of any ministry is service part of which is to our family in Christ.  When you combine those two thoughts, it is logical to consider that the greatest opportunity to serve your Christian family is in the marketplace.

Therefore we want to provide an environment in which not only can you grow and improve your business, but you can serve your brothers and sisters in Christ by helping them with their business.  I think this is just important as any Christian service.  The possibilities and impact we can have in the lives of others and our impact in the marketplace are endless.

I know you actively participate in both offline (face-to-face) and online networking. How do you think social media will continue to shape the world of networking in the near future? All indicators show continued evolution and growth.  One thing I read is that you will see more traditional websites incorporate a social media component.  For example there are social media sites launched by a specific companies where consumers of those products can share experiences, tips etc… Instead of that company starting a group under a large network such as Facebook, they start their own.

This encourages me that niche groups will continue to have a voice.  I believe there is need and interest for business networking specifically within the Christian community.

How much of a business owner’s marketing strategy should involve networking? Can a person network too much? Networking has been and continues to be the most cost effective way to grow or maintain a business and communicate your message.  Whether it is the actual owner or employees, companies should have a presence in the community via networking.  How much? That is subjective to the companies size and needed goals for networking.

Yes a person can network too much.  It is all about balance. When your networking follow up is awful, it is one significant indicator you are networking too much.

Many business owners are often frighten or overwhelmed by networking. Can you offer any helpful tips to overcome these feelings? Great question.  It also speaks to one of my earlier comments that there are few places to go and learn how to network, which is part of our platform.  Tips to overcome?  First you are not alone.  On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best, the average networking skill level those we surveyed graded themselves is 3.5.  Therefore you are in good company.  Secondly, start slowing but start.  Thirdly ask for help.  Finally read.  There are several good books on networking.

Is there a right or wrong way to network? What are the most common networking mistakes? Wow, there is a huge list but I will share the single largest mistake most people make.  Networking is not direct selling.  If you go to networking events or set 1 to 1 networking meetings to sell, you are not networking and doing more damage than good.  The best networking philosophy is to network for the purpose of helping others get where they want to go, not you.

At this time of year, many people are setting goals- should we set networking goals? Thanks for the slow pitch question.  Absolutely.  I am amazed how many people will agonize over the design of their business card or brochure, spending hours if not days and weeks to finalize, but spend not a second to write a business networking plan.  A brochure communicates a message.  So does your approach to networking.  How many people are communicating a horrible message in how they network.

Speaking of goals, where do you see the CBNA in the next 2 years? I wish the Lord when give me that information.  What I know for now is that we will continue to develop the networking events that have started, grow our Marketing Teams and expand our online community.  We have been looking at other markets and are waiting for the Lord’s direction and timing.

Image Credits: CBNA

This interview was featured in our bi-monthly e-newsletter.  Please subscribe to our mailing list if you want to receive upcoming issues.  Feel free to contact  us at info@avirtualblessing.com if you are interested in being featured or want to recommend another Christian business.