New Blog up & running

Hi all - My new blog is up and running at www.allisonahburn.com or Blue Bamboo Project Services www.bluebamboops.com (both URLs work) and the networking events for week of March 1st are there!

I hope you will follow me there for weekly networking events. This blog will not be updated anymore.

Cheers!
Allison

My blog is moving

Just wanted to let you know that this blog will be moving in the next 1-2 weeks to my company blog: Blue Bamboo Project Services at http://www.bluebamboops.com/ or www.allisonashburn.com

You will be able to follow me there as I'll still continue to post networking events, but may have 1-2 week downtime between now & then. Thank you for your patience. Happy Networking!

Cheers!
Allison

Networking Events Week of Feb 15th

Tuesday, Februrary 16th

KBOI Business Breakfast
7:30am - 8:45am at NNU's Brandt Center in Nampa
RSVP to breakfast@kboi.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=293290658493&index=1

IBWN Boise Chapter Luncheon
11:00am - 1:00pm at the Owyhee Plaza -- Downtown Boise - $15
RSVP Required: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=292163478104&ref=ts

Wednesday, February 17th

February Success Luncheon
11:30am - 1:00pm at the Owyhee Plaza -- Downtown Boise - Free to IBL Members/$25 otherwise
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=287812061851&index=1

Urban Lunch
Noon - 1:00pm at the Watercooler in Boise
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=469371190500&index=1

Thursday, February 18th

"A New Outlook" Sales Workshop by Open Lines Training
9:00 - 11:30am at University of Phoenix - $69
http://openlinestraining.com/Flyer.pdf

Jelly Boise!
1:00 - 4:00pm at Stevens-Henager College (3rd Fl Room 305) - FREE
Food will be provided by Bajio Mexian Grill! Be sure to bring your laptop and anything else you need to get your work done! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=469371190500&index=1#!/event.php?eid=278479898372&ref=ts

Networking Events - Week of Feb 8th

Tuesday, February 9th

Boise Beer & Blog
Every Tuesday at 5:00pm at the Falcon Tavern in Boise
Come geek out and talk tech gadgets and blogs....http://boise.beerandblog.com/

Wednesday, February 10th

Nampa Lunch & Leads
11:30 - 1:00pm at Darby's at the Market Downtown Nampa (112 13th Ave South)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=278144341198&index=1

Thursday, February 11th

IBWN Luncheon
11:00am - 1:00pm at Northern Lights Cinema Grille -- Karcher Mall, Nampa
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=463306910373&index=1

Kickstand
5:30 - 7:00pm at the WaterCooler (1401 W. Idaho Boise)
http://www.kickstand.org/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=71178

Beat the Winter Blues - Business Building Workshop

Beat the winter business blues!

Come to a informative business building workshop put on by Open Lines Training on Feb. 12th at University of Phoenix 9am - 11:30am. Becky McKinstry will share her tips & tricks as having 20+ years experience as a sales consultant. With registration, you'll receive a workbook take-away, may win a door prize and will receive a one-on-one follow up session with Becky!

For more info visit the Current Workshops page at www.openlinestraining.com

If you can't make Feb 12th, there is another session on Thursday, Feb 18th!

Week of February 1st

Monday, February 2nd

Dave Lakhani's Influence Seminar
1:00pm - Call in featuring Kevin Hogan and Dave Lakhani in a fast-paced informational and intriguing Teleseminar.
Access Telephone #: 1 218 936 7999
Access Code: 3228285

Tuesday, February 2nd

Vibes-BB
7:30 - 8:30am at Flatbread Community Oven in Meridian - FREE
Come at 7am if you'd like to eat breakfast, otherwise book club starts at 7:30. Vibes Breakfast & Books features three books this month:
*Think & Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
*Referral of a Lifetime - Tim Templeton
*In the Trenches - Do or Die Lessons for the Business Battlefield - Craig Zuber (local author)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270045493626&ref=mf

Wednesday, February 3rd

BYP Luncheon
11:30 - 1:00pm at Boise Metro Chamber Offices ($10 Members/$25 Non-Members)
http://www.boiseyp.org/blog/

Girls in Tech - Mentoring Night
5:45 - 7:00pm at Meridian Technical Charter School (3800 North Locust Grove Road) - FREE
We'll be talking about mentorship opportunities to help make a difference in the Treasure Valley. Newcomers welcome!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270045493626&ref=mf#/pages/Girls-in-Tech-Boise/132027187871?ref=ts

Epilipsy Idaho Fundraiser/Sherman's B-day Bash
5:30 - 9:00pm at The Lobby - $10 minimum donation
Sherman is throwing a party to benefit Epilepsy Idaho (http://www.epilepsyidaho.org). If you make a donation of $10 or more to Epilepsy Idaho that evening, I will treat you to free barbecue (skillfully prepared by Great Western Barbecue Co.) and free beer/soft drinks (skillfully poured by the guys at The Lobby).
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270045493626&ref=mf#/event.php?eid=281633627648&ref=ts

Thursday, February 4th

Jelly Boise! (casual coworking)
10:00am - 1:00pm at the WaterCooler (1401 W. Idaho St., Boise) - FREE
For telecommuters & freelancers who'd like to work alongside others for a few hours! Bring your laptop and whatever else you need to get your work done. RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=251582552849&ref=mf

Cake Break
11:00 - 2:00pm at Boise Centre - FREE / Have a cake and ice cream break on the Boise Centre as they celebrate 20 years! http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=304970606170&ref=ts

WCA Fundraiser & Tweet Up
4:00 - 7:30pm at Moon's Kitchen in Boise - $5 minimum donation
Meet your Facebook & Twitter friends in real life and enjoy soup from some of the best chefs in the valley! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270045493626&ref=mf#/event.php?eid=254931713188&ref=ts

Friday, Feburary 5th

Lunch for Literacy/ Fundraiser
11:00 - 1:30pm at Boise Centre http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=266701076691&index=1

Advertise on this site?

If there are any businesses that would like to advertise on this site, let me know! It will be turning into a website soon!

Boise Events Week of Jan 25th

Can you believe it's already the last week in January? The year is flying by. Have you done the networking in the New Year you promised yourself you'd start doing? Below are opportunities for you to get involved this week! Did you know the world is run by the people that just show up?

Tuesday, January 26th

Boise Ice Breakers
6:00 -9:00pm at the Seybold Scientific offices ((1533 N. Cormorant Place, Boise) - $10 for great networking and catered food!
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/pages/Boise-Ice-Breakers/68949924102?ref=ts

Market Revival2
4:00-8:00pm at the Modern Hotel DT Boise - FREE
Business owners and agency professionals are invited to check out the latest work of Boise's most talented web and graphic designers, writers, photographers, strategy and branding specialists and more. Here you'll find everything you need for professional marketing results, no matter what your budget.
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=250033483492&ref=ts

Wednesday, January 27th

Idaho Busniess & Technology Expo
12:00 noon on Wednesday - 5:00pm on Thursday at Boise Center on the Grove
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/event.php?eid=269059572623&ref=ts

Tech Boise
5:30 - 7:00pm at the WaterCooler (14th & Idaho, Boise) - FREE
Jana Briggs, CEO and Co-founder of Yaro (and self-proclaimed social media junkie), along with Karl Meinhardt, Yaro Board Member, will take us through Yaro's journey - from pitch to development and beyond - and let us in on where they now stand.
http://techboise.com/january-27-startup-weekend-grads-yaro-chat-with-techboise

Thursday, January 28th

IBWN - Boise Chapter Luncheon
11:00 - 1:00pm at the Owyhee Plaza DT Boise - $15
Bring a friend and experience the fastest growing women's network in the valley.
Sydney Warner, Member Services/Dispute Resolution Services with the Better Business Bureau, will talk about Trustworthy Business. Members be sure to bring your badges and avoid the lines. You MUST RSVP for this one and will be charged for the meal if you no show.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_2344061033&ref=ts&gid=85123481452#/event.php?eid=244261414721&index=1

Boise Business After Hours Trade Show
5:00 - 7:00pm at the Hilton Garden Inn in Eagle
No RSVP needed. Free to Chamber Members/$10 for Non-Members (pay at door). http://www.boisechamber.org/cwt/external/wcpages/wcevents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=3510

Suggestions for the site? Do you find this information valuable? Do you check this each week?
Drop me a line in the comments to share how it's valuable, why you like it, what you'd like to see differently. Thanks!
~ Allison

Boise Business - Week of January 18th

As you are networking and mingling with new and familiar faces this week, be mindful of how you can help others. If we have others' best interests at heart, our little corner of the world is a much happier place. Oh, and there are some giveaways at the two Ground Floor events on Wednesday! Don't miss out!

Tuesday, January 19th

670 KBOI/NNU Business Breakfast
7:30-8:45am at the DoubleTree Riverside Hotel (2900 Chinden Blvd, Boise)
Topic: Overview of Iraq from perspective of mobilized Idaho soldiers
This event is by invitation only. Get your invitation by emailing breakfast@kboi.com
Learn more: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=283051725409&index=1

Wednesdy, January 20th

Jelly Boise!
11:00 - 3:30pm at The Ground Floor Grand Opening Celebration (136. E. Idaho, Meridian)
This event is for telecommuters and freelancers to join together for a day to meet, share ideas, & inspire one another! It's FREE and lunch will be generously provided by Flatbread Community Oven. Don't forget your laptop! Check it out....FIVE FREE one-month memberships to The Ground Floor will be given away!
PLEASE RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=224098184016&ref=ts

The Ground Floor powered by VengaWorks™ Launch Party
4:00 - 7:00pm at The Ground Floor (136 E. Idaho, Meridian) - FREE
The first 10 guests at the Launch Party will receive a month’s free membership!
The Ground Floor is a project of the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC), the urban renewal agency for Downtown. The new flexible workspace is in a historic building at and offers emerging businesses an economical way to take their work to the next level. Learn more: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=264372905954&ref=ts

Urban Lunch
12:00 - 1:00pm at the WaterCooler (1401 West Idaho St, Boise)
Topic: Boise's Comprehensive Plan with Tricia Nilsson, Boise City Planning And Development Services. Lunch is provided by Jenny's Lunch Line if you've RSVP'd, but I don't know much it costs. Or bring a brown bag lunch and just listen in!
Learn more: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=239508832485&index=1

IBL After Hours
4:00 - 7:00pm at Koko Fit Club (1626 S. Wells Meridian, ID in the Gramercy Business Park) - FREE. Learn More: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=250018689287&index=1

Thursday, January 21st

Meridian Business After Hours
5:30 - 7:00pm at Redline Recreational Toys (535 N Locust Grove #170, Meridian) - FREE
This is a member networking event. The sponsor promotes their business in various ways, providing refreshments and door prizes. Learn more: http://www.meridianchamber.org/networking_events.asp

Boise Web Technologies Group Meetup
6:00 - 7:30pm at the US Bank Building downtown Boise - FREE
Topic: Panel discussion with Yaro; Jana Briggs, Brian Bothwell & Greg Harley
Must RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/boisewebtechs/calendar/12107485/

Friday, January 22nd

Barbacoa Employee Fundraiser
5:00 - 11:00pm at China Blue in Boise - $20 and silent auction all to raise money for the employees left without a job after the Barbacoa fire.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/event.php?eid=245230631058&ref=nf

Happy Networking!

Business Events Week of Jan 11th

Tuesday, Jan 12th

Boise Beer and Blog
Every Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at the Falcon Tavern in Boise – networking for bloggers and creative types during the happy hour.
http://boise.beerandblog.com/

Wednesday, Jan 13th

In The Trenches Book Lauch Party!
Past or present military people or anyone wanting new business skills will not want to miss this! Local author & speaker Craig Zuber is launching his new book In The Trenches. There will be a public party at PowerHouse Event Center from 6:00 – 8:30pm. This is going global and you have a chance to be a part of the first spark right here in Boise! Four speakers, free food and for every book sold, one book is given to active military personnel.
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=219315199384&ref=mf

Thursday, Jan 14th

Kickstand
5:30 to 7:00 pm at the WaterCooler in Boise. $10 for guests.
Kickstand is a thriving community of local innovators. This month they’ll be having a business book review with a stellar panel of local business owners. Panel includes:
Stephen Nipper - Patent Attorney
Bill Meade - Intellectual Property Consultant
Jeff Reynolds - Co-Owner of Rizen Creative (moderator)
Brandon Wright - UltraClean Owner & Meridian Breakfast and Books Club Creator
Rochelle Delong - Consilio Owner
Visit http://www.kickstandidaho.com/ for details.

Eight Things Government Can Do To Help Small Business

In case you missed it, Idaho's Congressman, Walt Minnick, spoke to a group of entrepeneurs and small business owners at VengaWorks today. The topic of conversation got heated, and at times off-topic, but I wanted to share a few take-aways. I admit, I'm not typically interested in discussing politics, but what he had to say about small business makes me very interested as it applies to all of us!

8 Things Gov't Can do to Help Small Business Grow & Keep us Globally Competitive (via Congressman Walt Minnick, paraphrased by Allison Ashburn)

1. Balance the budget.
We can't cut taxes because we've run up so much debt. We've dug ourselves a big hole by borrowing from our children, grandchildren & China. The Congressman suggested that government could help in this by cutting unnecessary programs and be selective about new programs.

2. Upgrade quality of & access to education.
Government needs to create new ways of delivering education and we need to invest in our kids!
3. Provide certainty to the issue of climate change & regulations.
The climate change issue will increasingly affect business owners and consumers. The government needs to provide certainty on what the regulations are so that innovators can innovate and consumers can make choices.

4. Reduce international trade barriers.
Government needs to resisit the temptation to be protectionists.

5. Retain incentives to help entrepenuers.
Tax credits, etc

6. Embrace new view of immigration reform.
Government needs to resist the temptation to build a wall around America. We absolutely shouldn't reward people for violating America's laws, but instead, we should think of immigration from a different viewpoint. How about allowing America access to global talent markets so we can remain competitive...We need to find a better way to allow our businesses to attract high skilled talent from across the globe.

7. Spend money on private sector research on a local level.
The private sectors is the key to innovation!

8. Provide access to capital.
We need to provide captial not just through banks but also through early stage venture capital.


A few other things Walt Minnick mentioned about the state of our ecomomy are:
He feels that unless the market takes another dip, we are heading out of the recession but "recovery will be long and slow due to financing" & that we'll experience a "high unemployment atmosphere for the foreseeable future."

In addition, the Congressman reiterated what a lot of businesses are experiencing first hand--"since the banking system is not functioning in it's ability to lend, it hinders small businesses ability to expand or operate." However we'll experience a "low interest rate environment for a while, unless the government continues to mismanage it's affairs."

As I said, I normally don't ever feel compelled to talk politics, but these subjects affect everyone in our local market. If you missed the event, I hope you enjoyed a very brief summary of what was covered and I hope you experience business success in 2010!!!

Week of Jan 4th

Happy New Year!
What are your business resolutions this year? Interested in building a network of associates throughout the Treasure Valley? Interested in getting out to networking events more often but don't know about them until it's too late? Want to attend an event that's goal is to make a difference in our community?

That is why I started the "According to Allison" blog--to keep you informed of networking events you may not otherwise hear about, and to have them in one central location. I do hope that you find this useful in your endeavors. And if you do, I'd love to hear how it's useful for you!
Feel free to send me your networking events and I'll post them!

Monday, January 4th

Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Walt Minnick
11:30 - 1:00pm at VengaWorks (943 W. Overland Rd, Meridian) - FREE
Join the Entrepreneurs Forum Discussion for your chance to be heard! The Congressman is seeking an audience with small to medium-sized business leaders to hear of the issues and challenges confronting Idaho’s entrepreneurial community.
Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to info@vengaworks.com

This will be a great opportunity to help shape the future of Idaho! http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=215033001189&ref=ts

Tuesday, January 5th

Vibes Breakfast & Books
7:00 - 8:30am at Flatbread community oven in Meridian
7:00am for Breakfast ($7.50) or 7:30am for book club ($1 donation for coffee)
Featured Books: Good to Great & How to Sell When Nobody's Buying by local author Dave Lakhani. Come see Dave in person!
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=256272966404&ref=mf

Wednesday, January 6th

Girls In Tech
5:45 to 7:00 pm at the WaterCooler – this month features Stephanie Wicks and her radio show "That’s Women’s Work". - FREE
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Girls-in-Tech-Boise/132027187871?ref=ts

Happy New Year & Happy Networking!