Do you telecommute? Do you miss friends and idea exchanges at the office but not miss office politics? Set up a Jelly!
Watch a video about jelly and find out more here: http://workatjelly.com/
Jelly's are currently going on in 20 cites around the world. We should start one in Boise!
Whatta ya think?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Networking Tips
So many of us go to networking events and HOPE we meet someone who just happens to want to do business with us! Either that or we talk with a friend the entire night and leave without meeting new people. Below are a few tips to add structure to your networking and to increase your success:
1. Before going to an event, decide who you want to meet.
What industry does this ideal person work in? What is your ideal client? Know that in advance and network with that in mind. Seek those individuals out.
2. Provide leads to others! Be interested in others!
Don't just "throw up" your spiel on others (i.e. give your card, tell what you do, push your business on them). Ask others about themselves! What do they do, who is their ideal client? Here are some ice breaker questions to try: "What do you do for fun?" or "What is the most exciting part of your job?" or "How would you describe your ideal client?" Your goal here is to build a business relationship with this person and you can't do that if you don't know anything about them, their interests or their business.
3. Nail your 10 Second Commercial. I mean it. No more than 10 seconds. I don't want to hear you drone on about yourself for an hour.
Make a list of the features and benefits of your company. Turn that into a 10 second commercial. An example given tonight by Brandon Wright, owner of Ultra Clean was: "We are a group of caring and compassionate people who help others after a fire or a flood." (Hope I got that right Brandon!) This statement leaves you wanting more information. The request for more information will open a dialogue, which is how you begin to build a relationship. If it doesn't open a conversation, at least you leave thinking Brandon is caring & compassionate, right?!
4. Relationship Building
Pick 10 individuals you'd like to associate with. Maybe they are in your same industry. Maybe they are well known in the community and you respect them and the referrals they can provide. Start with 10 people. Meet them. Continue to build your relationship with them. Find out about what interests them. Be sure to follow up regularly with these individuals (a thank you note after a meeting, etc.).
5. Follow Up
Make a note on a person's business card about what they do or something that interested you about them. Use that as a way to remember who you met at the event and to follow up with the leads you may have obtained. Honestly, I always carry a mini-sharpie and a small notepad in my purse too!
And remember.....always, always send a thank you card for referrals! Be sure to return the favor and refer others as well.
---
Networking is FUN! I can honestly say it has enriched my life and opened up doors I didn't even know were there! There are so many brilliant and AMAZING people here in the Treasure Valley. You'll never meet them if you don't reach out with a genuine interest in getting to know more about them and simply saying hello! I believe that if you add a smidge of structure to your networking efforts, you will be a huge success!
Do you have networking tips you'd like to share? If so, please comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Tips are from business consultant Becky McKinstry of Open Lines Training who spoke at Meridian Business & Professional Connection 7/28/09 (but paraphrased into my own words). Check out Becky's website and business consulting services here: http://openlinestraining.com/
1. Before going to an event, decide who you want to meet.
What industry does this ideal person work in? What is your ideal client? Know that in advance and network with that in mind. Seek those individuals out.
2. Provide leads to others! Be interested in others!
Don't just "throw up" your spiel on others (i.e. give your card, tell what you do, push your business on them). Ask others about themselves! What do they do, who is their ideal client? Here are some ice breaker questions to try: "What do you do for fun?" or "What is the most exciting part of your job?" or "How would you describe your ideal client?" Your goal here is to build a business relationship with this person and you can't do that if you don't know anything about them, their interests or their business.
3. Nail your 10 Second Commercial. I mean it. No more than 10 seconds. I don't want to hear you drone on about yourself for an hour.
Make a list of the features and benefits of your company. Turn that into a 10 second commercial. An example given tonight by Brandon Wright, owner of Ultra Clean was: "We are a group of caring and compassionate people who help others after a fire or a flood." (Hope I got that right Brandon!) This statement leaves you wanting more information. The request for more information will open a dialogue, which is how you begin to build a relationship. If it doesn't open a conversation, at least you leave thinking Brandon is caring & compassionate, right?!
4. Relationship Building
Pick 10 individuals you'd like to associate with. Maybe they are in your same industry. Maybe they are well known in the community and you respect them and the referrals they can provide. Start with 10 people. Meet them. Continue to build your relationship with them. Find out about what interests them. Be sure to follow up regularly with these individuals (a thank you note after a meeting, etc.).
5. Follow Up
Make a note on a person's business card about what they do or something that interested you about them. Use that as a way to remember who you met at the event and to follow up with the leads you may have obtained. Honestly, I always carry a mini-sharpie and a small notepad in my purse too!
And remember.....always, always send a thank you card for referrals! Be sure to return the favor and refer others as well.
---
Networking is FUN! I can honestly say it has enriched my life and opened up doors I didn't even know were there! There are so many brilliant and AMAZING people here in the Treasure Valley. You'll never meet them if you don't reach out with a genuine interest in getting to know more about them and simply saying hello! I believe that if you add a smidge of structure to your networking efforts, you will be a huge success!
Do you have networking tips you'd like to share? If so, please comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Tips are from business consultant Becky McKinstry of Open Lines Training who spoke at Meridian Business & Professional Connection 7/28/09 (but paraphrased into my own words). Check out Becky's website and business consulting services here: http://openlinestraining.com/
Friday, July 24, 2009
Boise Networking Events Week of July 27th
Here we are in the dog days of summer and for those of us stuck in the city, there are some great opportunities to network this coming week!
Monday - July 27th
Chicks Only Tweetup, 9AM, Sorry guys!
Big City Coffee Downtown - FREE
Put on by @JenHarris09
Tuesday - July 28th
Meridian Business & Professional Connection (previously Meridian Business Assoc.) FREE
5:30 - 7:00 PM at the Courtyard Marriott (1789 S. Eagle Rd Meridian)
Becky McKinstry will talk about "How to Network Effectively" (first 1/2 hr ntwking, speaker, more ntwking)
Wednesday - July 29th
Tech Boise
5:30 - 7:00 PM at the WaterCooler (1401 W Idaho) - FREE
There will be a Freecycle table-bring your unwanted/gently used business books and other equipment/items you think someone might have a use for them.
http://www.techboise.com/idea-market-at-techboise-wednesday
6 Degrees of Collaboration - $25 (10% to nonprofit)
6:00-8:30 PM, Sandler Training Building, 3040 Elder Street (off Vista by airport)
Personal Networking Forum with speakers & roundtable discussions: http://www.idahowomensjournal.com/ (MEN are welcomed!!)
Thursday - July 30th
Music on the Waterfront - FREE
Free local concert and networking every Thursday night from 6:30 - 9:30 PM
3050 N. Lake Harbor off of State St (West of Collister)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=104924088070&ref=ts
Monday - July 27th
Chicks Only Tweetup, 9AM, Sorry guys!
Big City Coffee Downtown - FREE
Put on by @JenHarris09
Tuesday - July 28th
Meridian Business & Professional Connection (previously Meridian Business Assoc.) FREE
5:30 - 7:00 PM at the Courtyard Marriott (1789 S. Eagle Rd Meridian)
Becky McKinstry will talk about "How to Network Effectively" (first 1/2 hr ntwking, speaker, more ntwking)
Wednesday - July 29th
Tech Boise
5:30 - 7:00 PM at the WaterCooler (1401 W Idaho) - FREE
There will be a Freecycle table-bring your unwanted/gently used business books and other equipment/items you think someone might have a use for them.
http://www.techboise.com/idea-market-at-techboise-wednesday
6 Degrees of Collaboration - $25 (10% to nonprofit)
6:00-8:30 PM, Sandler Training Building, 3040 Elder Street (off Vista by airport)
Personal Networking Forum with speakers & roundtable discussions: http://www.idahowomensjournal.com/ (MEN are welcomed!!)
Thursday - July 30th
Music on the Waterfront - FREE
Free local concert and networking every Thursday night from 6:30 - 9:30 PM
3050 N. Lake Harbor off of State St (West of Collister)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=104924088070&ref=ts
Monday, July 13, 2009
Boise Networking Events - Week of July 13th
This is a big week in Boise with lots of my favorite networking events. Here is a list of a few!
Tuesday, July 14th
11:30 AM
Idaho Business Womens Network (IBWN) Luncheon
http://www.ibwn.biz/
Dave's Grill in Nampa - Cost $5 - $7 (or free if you don't eat)
6:00 PM
Boise Ice Breakers
Poolside -- DoubleTree at Parkcenter: Cost $10
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=105984433672&ref=nf
Wednesday, July 15th
11:30 - 2:00PM (this month get there at 11am to hear speaker)
Ultra Clean Smokeout!
This is one of my favorites. It's free lunch at Ultra Clean in Meridian. 400 - 500 people show up!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=117011886720&ref=ts
Thursday, July 16th
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Thursday Nights Live at the Waterfront Lakeharbor: Cost FREE
Come enjoy live, local music and food. This setting is amazing right on the lake in the middle of Boise! The event is free and family oriented.
http://www.boisebusinesscoop.org/calendar.html
6:00 - 10:00 PM
Ignite Boise at the Egyptian Theatre: Cost FREE
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=63474856713&ref=ts
These are some really cool events in which you have an opportunity to engage with Boise business minds at their best. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, July 14th
11:30 AM
Idaho Business Womens Network (IBWN) Luncheon
http://www.ibwn.biz/
Dave's Grill in Nampa - Cost $5 - $7 (or free if you don't eat)
6:00 PM
Boise Ice Breakers
Poolside -- DoubleTree at Parkcenter: Cost $10
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=105984433672&ref=nf
Wednesday, July 15th
11:30 - 2:00PM (this month get there at 11am to hear speaker)
Ultra Clean Smokeout!
This is one of my favorites. It's free lunch at Ultra Clean in Meridian. 400 - 500 people show up!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=117011886720&ref=ts
Thursday, July 16th
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Thursday Nights Live at the Waterfront Lakeharbor: Cost FREE
Come enjoy live, local music and food. This setting is amazing right on the lake in the middle of Boise! The event is free and family oriented.
http://www.boisebusinesscoop.org/calendar.html
6:00 - 10:00 PM
Ignite Boise at the Egyptian Theatre: Cost FREE
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=63474856713&ref=ts
These are some really cool events in which you have an opportunity to engage with Boise business minds at their best. Hope to see you there!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday's Quote of the Day
"A project is complete when it starts working for you, rather than you working for it."
Scott Allen
Scott Allen
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Quote of the Day!
I believe that at the heart of every large project is a small project trying to get out.
Social Media Event Planning
If there is one thing I've learned from my time spent on social media, most specifically Facebook, its that it allows people to be very non-committal!
Don't get me wrong, social media is a wonderful tool for getting the word out. But its much easier for someone to click "Attending" online than to actually show up at an event. A lot of times people say they're attending so it looks like they are busier and more socially involved than they actually are!
When you plan an event on Facebook and see that you have 100 people attending, don't count on it! Shave that number down to 1/4 of what it is and you'll have a more accurate event head count.
Don't get me wrong, social media is a wonderful tool for getting the word out. But its much easier for someone to click "Attending" online than to actually show up at an event. A lot of times people say they're attending so it looks like they are busier and more socially involved than they actually are!
When you plan an event on Facebook and see that you have 100 people attending, don't count on it! Shave that number down to 1/4 of what it is and you'll have a more accurate event head count.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
