Why Your Network Should Be Built Before You Need It

The Channel Buzz at VIBE 2.0 — Episode 1

Guest: Christine Bongard, Founder & CEO, The WIT Network
Series: The Channel Buzz: Conversations from VIBE 2.0
Series positioning: Recorded live at VIBE 2.0 as part of The Channel Buzz’s media sponsorship, this special series captures conversations with leaders across the technology and partner ecosystem about community, connection, growth, and what’s next.

What’s the difference between having hundreds—or thousands—of LinkedIn connections and having a network that will actually show up when you need it?

Recorded live at VIBE 2.0, where The Channel Buzz joined the event as a media sponsor, Amiee Keenan sits down with Christine Bongard, Founder and CEO of The WIT Network, to talk about the relationships that shape careers, create opportunities, and build stronger communities.

After more than 30 years in the Microsoft and partner ecosystem, Christine says one thing has kept her connected: the people.

She shares how serving on Microsoft Partner Advisory Councils expanded her career globally, why meaningful networking requires giving before asking, and how conversations at Microsoft Inspire ultimately helped turn The WIT Network into a global community of 15,000 members across 89 countries.

Christine also shares her first impressions of the VIBE community—and why being surrounded by people who are supportive, authentic, engaged, and warm makes events like VIBE much more than another conference.

Because the real value of an event isn’t necessarily what’s in your notebook when you leave.

It may be who’s in your network.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Christine and her background

02:27 The impact of the Microsoft Partner Advisory Councils on her career

04:18 The importance of having mentors, supporters, and champions in your network

06:10 The community's global reach and impact

07:02 What Christine hopes to take away from Vibe beyond ideas

07:39 Describing the Vibe community in three words

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