Highly Effective Networking: Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino of CultureCon On 5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Build a diverse network. Expand your network beyond people who look like you. Expand your network beyone your immediate field. A diverse network brings fresh perspectives, unexpected opportunities, and access to different industries or knowledge areas.
The art of networking is pivotal in today’s interconnected world. Establishing meaningful connections can accelerate career growth, foster collaborations, and create opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. Yet, the dynamics of networking are intricate, often requiring a nuanced blend of authenticity, strategy, and adaptability. And with the digital revolution, networking has transcended beyond face-to-face interactions to virtual platforms, expanding its scope and complexity. In this series, we would like to discuss the art and science behind effective networking. We are talking to seasoned professionals, career coaches, networking experts, and thought leaders who’ve mastered both traditional and online networking techniques. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Nick Lombardino & Zach Blumenfeld, Co-Founders of CultureCon.
Nick Lombardino
Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Nick Lombardino is an imaginative social entrepreneur and community builder with extensive experience scaling organizations that drive positive change for individuals, companies, and communities. With widespread professional services experience, Nick has been in leadership roles spanning Marketing, Business Development, Operations, Human Resources, and Finance.
In addition to his work at CultureCon, Nick is a faculty member at Edgewood College, teaching Social Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Prior to joining CultureCon full-time, Nick was a member of the leadership team at FarWell, responsible for creating, developing, and implementing the organization’s EX strategies.
Outside of work (or during work), Nick is passionate about cribbage, soul music, lunch buffets and just about anything you’d find in a senior living community.
Zach Blumenfeld
Zach Blumenfeld is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of launching and exiting multiple businesses, gaining invaluable experience along the way. Passionate about growing businesses, Zach’s expertise lies in growth, sales strategy, innovation, and workplace culture, where he has consistently proven himself as a thought leader.
Zach has scaled companies across various industries, with particular expertise in Company Culture, Pet Insurance, InsurTech, FinTech, SaaS, and HR Tech. His motto, “Make What You Do Matter,” speaks volumes about how he leads his life and his commitment to improving the lives of others. These qualities influenced the start of CultureCon, a movement dedicated to enhancing workplace culture.
Outside of work, Zach is passionate about travel, sports (Go Badgers!), collecting sports cards, and lunch buffets. You might also spot him as an “Extra” on your favorite TV show or movie!
CultureCon
As a Certified B Corporation®, CultureCon is on a mission to inspire positive change around organizational culture. Through large conferences, online courses, consulting services, and certification programs, we deliver experiences that provide practical tools and motivation for our customers to become cultural change agents within their organizations. Our customers include business owners, CxOs, HR leaders, senior management, individual contributors, and anyone who wants to build more uplifting, inspiring and productive workplaces. Learn more at cultureconusa.org.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Zach: I was a co-founder at a workplace culture tech startup that focused on employee engagement and personal development. Before we had the software built we would hold executive roundtables where we’d invite in leaders to talk about their own workplace’s culture. We would pressure test ideas and make sure we were building software to help solve these challenges. What was interesting to me was that these conversations would always start very quietly, but then we’d ask a question and one CEO would open up and then another and another. The roundtables were scheduled for just an hour, but they’d always run long because people would get so passionate. It was almost like a therapy session, sharing the good and bad of their cultures. I saw a need for more discussion on workplace culture and thought if we could grow these small roundtables a little more, we could be on to something really big.
After I was introduced to Nick and learned about the work he was doing to build communities of practice around change management and organizational resiliency, I told him what I was working on and the idea to extrapolate on these roundtables we’ve been hosting into a larger event. He loved the idea and we got to testing out the concept. We tested the idea with a “Mini CultureCon”. It was a cold winter night in Madison, Wisconsin. Our goal was to get 50 people in the room and if we accomplished that we would move forward planning a larger event. We actually had to expand the room size because we had over 100 people! We then moved forward with our first CultureCon event in 2018 and have been growing ever since.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Nick: One of the most pivotal and interesting moments in my career was witnessing the transformation and growth of CultureCon after the pandemic. Before COVID-19, organizational culture was certainly important to many businesses, but it wasn’t always at the forefront. When the pandemic hit, everything changed. Organizations had to adapt rapidly, and suddenly, culture — how we communicate, how we support one another and how we maintain a sense of belonging — became a business imperative.
What makes this so interesting to me is how quickly things can change, both on a macro scale and a personal level. In a short time, we saw a complete shift in how companies approached culture. Leaders were hungry for ideas, strategies and inspiration to navigate these new challenges. At the same time, after years of isolation and virtual meetings, there was a renewed eagerness for people to be together again in person.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, CultureCon became not just a space for thought leadership but also a hub for reconnection. People were excited to engage face-to-face, share their stories and rebuild the personal connections that are so crucial for business success. The speed of that shift — from isolation to reconnection — is what made this experience so remarkable. It was truly lightning in a bottle.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Zach:
1) Resilience: Running a startup isn’t as glamorous as it’s made out to be. There’s a ton of setbacks and challenges along the way. Most of these challenges are hard to overcome, as most startups fail. But there is a ton to learn from failures and challenges. Some of the biggest lessons learned in my career have come from startups that have failed or ideas that didn’t quite work out. Being able to learn from these and move on is vital to success.
2) Empathy: Being able to understand and connect with people on a deeper level creates trust and connection. Leading with Empathy is something I hear talked about at CultureCon. Specifically, one of our good friends Colin Mincy kicked off our event a few years ago with a whole keynote around empathy. He helped relay that leadership is defined by empathy and the workplace can improve with it. One example Colin shared in his keynote was when an employee loses a loved one. As humans, we understand that grief doesn’t end after 3–5 days, as many bereavement policies suggest. People need time to heal, and by fostering an empathetic environment where employees are given grace during difficult times, we create a space that encourages both higher productivity and deeper engagement.
3) Authenticity: Be yourself. You will be much happier when you find a career and work environment where you can be yourself.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How exactly do you define “Networking?” Is it just about meeting new people?
Zach: My grandma actually taught me what networking is all about. She’s given me a lot of advice over the years, personally and professionally. She was very successful in her career and one day when I was starting out in my own career I asked her “Grandma, what’s your secret to success?” and she responded “work the room…work the room”.
I used to think working the room and networking meant shaking hands with random people at networking events and getting a big stack of business cards. But over the years she’s helped me understand that’s not the case. It really has a different meaning. Working the room and netowrking means getting to know people on a deeper level. Storytelling and sharing more than just surface level topics. Truly connecting with them. I see this through the lifelong relationships that my grandma created and maintained over all these decades.
In today’s digital age, how important is face-to-face networking, and how do you balance it with online networking?
Nick: The convenience of connecting with people virtually has undoubtedly expanded the potential to grow one’s network. However, the importance of face-to-face versus online networking often depends on the individual. Some people can form deep emotional connections and feel just as engaged during virtual interactions as they would in person. For others, there’s a noticeable difference in the quality and depth of those connections when meeting face-to-face.
Personally, I find that I’m more present, empathetic, and collaborative when I’m connecting with people in person versus virtually. It’s not that I don’t value virtual networking — it’s incredibly valuable — but I know myself well enough to seek out in-person interactions when it makes sense.
How do you maintain and nurture professional relationships over time, both in person and online, to ensure they remain fruitful and mutually beneficial?
Zach: I don’t believe in transactional relationships that often take place. It doesn’t matter if it’s a personal or professional relationship to me — it’s a relationship. It should be genuine and both people should be able to show their full authentic self. Celebrate milestones with each other and show genuine interest. Nothing fully replaces in person connections, but you can use things like text and email to share quick notes or ideas.
How important is personal branding when it comes to successful networking, and how can individuals develop and maintain a strong personal brand both online and in person?
Nick: Personal branding is incredibly important for successful networking, but it’s essential that your brand genuinely reflects who you are — not who you think you need to be. Authenticity is key. When your personal brand is true to who you are, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s an extension of yourself that naturally shows up in conversations, interactions, and content you share. People are drawn to authenticity because it creates trust and genuine connections.
On the flip side, if you feel like you need to create a persona or put on an act to connect with others, it can be exhausting. Not only does this drain your energy, but others can sense when something feels off or forced. Authenticity has a way of cutting through the noise, whether you’re networking online or face-to-face.
To develop a strong personal brand, focus on your core values, strengths, and what truly excites you. Let those things shine in both online platforms and in-person interactions.
What is your advice for young professionals who are just starting to build their network? How can they effectively reach out to and connect with experienced leaders in their field?
Zach: Network. Network. Network. Don’t be afraid to do some cold outreach to experienced leaders in your field. You never know who might respond. Cultivate those relationships. Don’t just do a coffee or zoom and let that be the end. Stay connected and create genuine relationships.
Nick: If you’re looking for a niche community that doesn’t exist, make it yourself. Peer-to-peer groups are a great way to build your network and connect with experienced leaders.
Do you prioritize quality or quantity of connections? How do you determine when to invest more time in a particular relationship?
Nick: I prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to connections, focusing on relationships where there’s potential for mutual value and alignment in values or interests. I invest more time in connections that show genuine engagement and offer opportunities for collaboration or growth.
What are your “5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline”?
1 . Be authentic and intentional. Approach each interaction with the mindset of contributing value rather than just seeking something in return. This is the “givers gain” mentality.
2 . Leverage your network. Your network is a great place to start. Ask close connections to introduce you to people in their networks.
3 . Join communities. Places like CultureCon are a great place to start. You can meet a lot of genuine and interesting people.
4 . Follow up genuinely. A simple message of appreciation or sharing something useful related to your conversation can strengthen the connection. It shows genuine interest and keeps you top of mind.
5 . Build a diverse network. Expand your network beyond people who look like you. Expand your network beyone your immediate field. A diverse network brings fresh perspectives, unexpected opportunities, and access to different industries or knowledge areas.
What role does diversity and inclusion play in your networking approach? How do you ensure that your network is inclusive and represents a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds?
Nick: At the end of the day, I’m naturally drawn to interesting people. Some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met have had completely different lived experiences than mine. Engaging with people who see the world through a different lens challenges my thinking and expands my perspective, which ultimately makes me better at what I do. For me, it all comes down to curiosity and truly valuing diverse perspectives.
One of the most effective strategies I’ve used to expand my network is simply asking my connections to introduce me to people they find interesting. It creates a cycle — because the more interesting people I meet, the more interesting people I continue to meet.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Nick: It would be a movement of self-discovery for the benefit of all. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it, because what the world needs are people who have come alive.”
How can our readers further follow you online?
Connect with us on LinkedIn and make sure to check out cultureconusa.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyblumenfeld/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlombardino/
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
Highly Effective Networking: Zach Blumenfeld & Nick Lombardino of CultureCon On 5 Strategies for… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.