Dirk Verburg

Ralph Schonenbach is a serial entrepreneur whose work centers around developing and nurturing relationships. www.trymeerkat.ai is his latest start-up, and in this episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I talk with Ralph about this venture, as well as his book ‘Relationships matter’, which was recently published.

In our conversation, we touched on the following topics:

0️⃣1️⃣ Why relationships matter
0️⃣2️⃣ Why his latest start-up is called ‘Meerkats’
0️⃣3️⃣ The value www.trymeerkat.ai delivers for clients
0️⃣4️⃣ The businessmodel of www.trymeerkat.ai
0️⃣5️⃣ www.trymeerkat.ai and Data Privacy
0️⃣6️⃣ Why his book ‘Relationships Matter’ starts with “self-management”
0️⃣7️⃣ Why the book is not restricted to professional relationships
0️⃣8️⃣ The transactional nature of professional relationships
0️⃣9️⃣ How to (re) build relationships when you need them
1️⃣0️⃣ The unique value of face-to-face relationships in this digital age
1️⃣1️⃣ ‘Digital etiquette’

If you are interested in www.trymeerkat.ai you can participate in the pilot by sending an email to pilot@trymeerkat.ai

You can watch or listen to this podcast episode on:

➡️ YouTube
➡️ Apple Podcasts
➡️ Spotify

► No time to listen to podcast now? Here is a short summary of our conversation ⤵

Dirk Verburg: Ralph, your work and book, Relationship Matters, emphasize relationships. Why do you believe relationships truly matter?

Ralph Schonenbach: Relationships genuinely matter because they shape every step of our lives, both personal and professional. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized how instrumental these connections have been in bringing me to where I am today. We often take those around us for granted when we’re younger, but intentionally nurturing meaningful relationships is incredibly worthwhile. This is why I’ve dedicated significant time to exploring their importance.

Dirk Verburg: Your latest venture is called Meercats.ai. Why did you choose that name for the company?

Ralph Schonenbach: Meerkats are highly communal animals that protect each other, which perfectly represents our goal of building meaningful relationships. Plus, they’re very cute, and if you’re going to have a company, that’s a nice bonus!

Dirk Verburg: What value does Meercats.ai deliver for its clients, and what does it enable users to do?

Ralph Schonenbach: Meercats.ai helps users combine, understand, and engage their networks. While writing my book, I struggled to find good tools for managing personal networks; CRMs are overkill, LinkedIn lacks overview, and Excel isn’t engaging. Meercat acts as an AI guide in a chat, giving you access to your network. You can combine different groups of people and then ask Meercat, for instance, who you should connect with for specific needs, leveraging modern AI technologies.

Dirk Verburg: Can you provide a use case example where a Meercats.ai user could significantly benefit?

Ralph Schonenbach: Consider a startup team. Founders, investors, and friends/family all have separate networks. Traditionally, it’s impossible to combine these. With Meercat, you can create a chat, connect all these networks, and then Meercat navigates them. For example, you could ask, “Who can we reach out to for clients?” Meercat would then provide an overview of potential clients from all connected networks and explain your connection to each.

Dirk Verburg: How does the monetization of Meercats.ai work? What is your business model?

Ralph Schonenbach: Meercats.ai operates on a freemium model. We offer a free service where people can interact with Meercat. There’s a next level of service that allows users to engage their networks. Additionally, we have an Enterprise version designed for companies, which incorporates proprietary data, such as a client’s CRM data, into the Meercat discussion.

Dirk Verburg: How have you addressed data privacy requirements and regulations, especially given the restrictive environment in Europe?

Ralph Schonenbach: We are launching in the U.S. first because its regulatory approach is more opt-out, unlike Europe’s opt-in system, which is very restrictive in this area. We will assess what adjustments are needed to eventually offer Meercat’s services in Europe and other countries. The aim is to find solutions that comply with diverse regulations, though we acknowledge the innovation challenges posed by Europe’s constraints.

Dirk Verburg: For those interested in Meercats.ai, what would you recommend they do to learn more or get involved?

Ralph Schonenbach: We’re in early stages. Currently, people can write to our pilot address: pilot@meercats.ai. In the coming weeks, we’ll update our website with more information. We’re launching a pilot program in February to gather user feedback, and we’re very excited for people to join and be part of this journey.

Dirk Verburg: In your book, you begin by focusing on self-management, mindfulness, self-care, and emotional intelligence. Why start a book about relationships by discussing connecting with oneself?

Ralph Schonenbach: To foster healthy relationships with others, you first need a healthy relationship with yourself. Understanding who you are, practicing mindfulness, and being present are crucial. This self-awareness allows for stronger, more meaningful connections with those around you. Starting with self-care is foundational because healthy relationships are two-sided, and individual mindfulness can significantly enhance their depth and meaning.

Dirk Verburg: You identify several important non-business relationships, like family and friendships. Why did you not restrict the book to professional relationships?

Ralph Schonenbach: I wanted to offer a comprehensive look at relationships, not just professional ones, as our lives are enriched by various types of connections. Friendships often blend with professional relationships, and vice versa. I believe having a healthy portfolio of diverse relationships – including family, friends, and colleagues – contributes to overall contentment and fulfillment. These categories often overlap, with close friendships feeling like family, and strong professional relationships evolving into friendships.

Dirk Verburg: In business, “relationship” can have a transactional connotation. Is this a shallow basis for a meaningful, long-term relationship?

Ralph Schonenbach: Every relationship involves seeking some form of value, and it’s not always monetary. We might seek kindness, respect, support, or happiness. If we don’t receive these, we don’t perceive value in the relationship. While it’s unrealistic to expect a relationship with no self-interest, the value extends far beyond a commercial definition. My desire to be with someone who makes me happy or feels supportive is a form of self-interest, but it forms the basis of meaningful connection.

Dirk Verburg: Many people, due to economic insecurity, suddenly need to build relationships urgently. What advice do you have for those who neglected networking in the past but need it now?

Ralph Schonenbach: It’s never too late to restart or engage in a relationship. If you approach conversations with sincerity and mindfulness, rather than purely opportunistically, you can re-engage effectively. My concern with many social networks today is an overconfidence in their ability to provide help. While people feel “plugged in,” digital relationships often lack the depth needed for genuine support when truly needed, making them harder to convert.

Dirk Verburg: What are the limitations of digital communities and relationships, and what unique value do face-to-face interactions offer in the business world?

Ralph Schonenbach: A significant part of relationships comes from shared memories and experiences, which are far less common in the digital world. Online interactions are often highly focused and scheduled, making it difficult to create the spontaneous, memorable moments that deepen in-person connections. Face-to-face relationships offer an unparalleled ability to forge these lasting memories, fostering a unique bond that current digital formats struggle to replicate.

Dirk Verburg: You introduced the concept of “digital etiquette” in your book. Can you explain what this etiquette looks like in your opinion?

Ralph Schonenbach: Digital etiquette refers to the rules we should follow online to show respect. Just as you say “thank you” when someone holds a door, you should reciprocate engagement online. If someone likes or comments on your content, you have an obligation to engage with their posts in return. We’re often too passive online, simply consuming content without liking or commenting. To strengthen digital relationships, we need to actively show appreciation and respect for others’ contributions, even if their content doesn’t resonate strongly with us.

Dirk Verburg: Do you have any final thoughts on the topic of relationships you’d like to share with the audience?

Ralph Schonenbach: As my book title suggests, relationships matter. It’s crucial to be reflective about the people in your life and the diversity within your network. Are you gaining fresh ideas? Are there people you’ve lost touch with whom you could reconnect? Reflecting on these questions and actively reaching out can bring unexpected joy and opportunities, both personally and professionally. It’s a wonderful call to action to nurture your connections.