Two Beers and a Puppy: A Simple Test for Building Better Relationships

Over the years, I have shared a great deal about the importance of relationships in business and in life. Success rarely comes solely from what you know. More often, it comes from who you surround yourself with and the quality of the relationships you develop.

I spoke with BNI Australia member Bradley Page during a BNI Podcast episode. He introduced me to a concept with a memorable name and a surprisingly powerful message: Two Beers and a Puppy.

That may sound more like the title of a comedy than a lesson on business networking. But behind the humor is a simple framework for evaluating the people in your life and determining who deserves more of your time, energy, and trust.

The concept, originally shared by writer Ross McCammon, revolves around two questions:

1. Would you have a beer with this person?
2. Would you trust this person to take care of your puppy for the weekend?

If beer isn’t your beverage of choice, substitute coffee, tea, or any other drink. The point is not the beverage. The point is whether you genuinely enjoy spending time with the person. The puppy question measures something different: trust.
When you combine those two questions, you get four possible answers.

The Four Categories

The first group is the No and No category.
These are people you neither enjoy spending time with nor trust. They tend to create negativity, drama, or friction. They leave you feeling drained rather than energized. In networking terms, these are often the people who consistently take without giving, complain without contributing, and offer little value to the relationship.

The second group is Yes and No.
You enjoy their company, however, you are not quite ready to trust them. Many relationships begin here. They may be interesting, engaging, and enjoyable to interact with, but trust takes time. This reminds me of the early stages of The VCP Process_®: Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability. Before you can trust someone completely, you need opportunities to observe their consistency and reliability.

The third category is No and Yes.
These may not be your favorite people to spend social time with, yet they are dependable, trustworthy, and responsible. They may not be especially fun, but they make the world a better place. Every organization has people like this. They quietly do what they say they will do and consistently deliver results.

Then there is the final category: Yes and Yes.
These are the people who enrich your life. You enjoy being around them, and you trust them completely. They are often your strongest referral partners, your closest friends, your mentors, and your most valuable collaborators. These are the people you should invest in, spend time with, and actively seek out.

Who’s in Your Room?

As Bradley and I discussed this concept, we connected it to my book, Who’s In Your Room?, which explores the idea that every person in your life influences your thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and ultimately your results. The people around you can either help move you toward your goals or pull you away from them.
The Two Beers and a Puppy framework provides an interesting way to evaluate who is currently occupying space in your room.

Take a look at your contact list. Scroll through your social media accounts. Review the people with whom you regularly interact.
Then ask yourself these two simple questions.
Who would you gladly spend time with?
Who would you trust with something valuable?

You may be surprised at which names immediately rise to the top and which ones don’t.

Engines and Anchors

In Who’s In Your Room?, I talk about two types of influence: engines and anchors.
Engines move you forward. They encourage growth, inspire action, and support your goals. Anchors do the opposite. They hold you back, drain your energy, and often keep you focused on limitations rather than possibilities.

When I think about the Two Beers and a Puppy model, there is a clear connection.
Your Yes and Yes people are usually your engines. They challenge you in positive ways, support your success, and make both your personal and professional life better.
Your No and No people, on the other hand, are often the anchors. They create resistance, negativity, and distraction.

The Real Lesson

The value of this exercise is not in judging people or labeling them. It is in creating awareness and becoming intentional about whom we allow to influence our lives. Every one of us has limited time, energy, and attention. We should spend those resources wisely. The quality of our relationships directly impacts the quality of our lives.

So here is a simple challenge: over the next week, think about the people you interact with regularly and ask yourself two questions:
Would I have a beer with this person?
Would I trust this person to look after my puppy for the weekend?

Your answers may reveal a great deal about who belongs in your room and who is helping you become the person you want to be.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Share in the comments below.