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!

The Value of Project Management

Various surveys and studies have found that implementing project management in organizations and projects delivers value, such as:

- Improvements of 50% during project execution
- Improvements of 36% on client satisfaction
- Improvements of 30% on employee’s satisfaction
(Survey by Crawford & Pennypacker – PMI)

Hiring a project manager may also help organizations:

- Free up time needed to focus on new business development or employee's current job descriptions.
- Save money on overhead that would be spent on a full time employee.
- Allow you to cost-effectively reap the benefits of someone specializing in an area that may not be within your professional realm of expertise.

What business owner wouldn't want more time, less money spent on overhead, and an increase in client satisfaction!?

Boise Events Week of Dec 7th - 11th

Hey ya'll. I have been gathering ntwking & fun Boise events since June but haven't received much feedback on this site in the "comments". Is anyone out there reading this? Do you feel this is a valuable tool for you? I'd sure love your feedback as to if you'd like me to continue gathering events for you!?

Tuesday, December 8th

Boise Ice Breakers
6-9pm at The Modern Hotel & Bar - $10 well spent on food & networking
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Boise-Ice-Breakers/68949924102?v=wall

Wednesday, December 9th

Girls in Tech
5:45 - 7:15 Fishbowl Roundtable Event at the Watercooler - FREE
http://www.girlsintechboise.com/Events.aspx

Thursday December 10th

IBWN (Idaho Business Women's Network)
11:15 - 1:00pm - December luncheon at Northern Lights Cinema Grille - $8.50 Northern Lights is located inside Karcher Mall. Park around back by the old Macy's and enter through the Mall Entrance and the door is right inside on the left. Lunch is going to be chicken cordon bleu, mixed steamed veggies, and brownie sundae. Last month they had 150 women attend.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=mf&gid=85123481452#/event.php?eid=193798028251&index=1

Kickstand
5:30 - 7:30 at the Discover Center of Idaho - $5 for non-members
Join Kickstand for their annual end of year celebration to mix, mingle and inspire as they work to support and showcase innovation throughout Idaho. This event features Education Director Woody Sobey. http://www.kickstand.org/Event_Calendar.htm

Boise Young Professionals Happy Hour
5:30 – 7:30 pm at Bad Irish downtown Boise. FREE, but bring a can of food for the Idaho Food Bank. http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=213973172672&ref=ts

Remember, it's all about relationships...Happy Networking!
- Allison

Networking Events Week of Nov 30th

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1st

Vibes-Breakfast & Books
7:30 - 8:30am at Flatbread Community Oven in Merdian
Discussing The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg
$1 for coffee, $10 for breakfast. RSVP for Bfast here: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=209625663652&ref=mf

Rock & Fries with BoiseLife
6:00 - 9:00pm at the Boise Fry Co. (off Broadway)
BoiseLife has a goal of opening a volunteer center to serve our community and we need your help to get there! Everyone is invited to enjoy an evening of Boise's best Burgers, Fries, Beer, as well as music provided by one of our best rock bands Low-Fi. It doesn't get more local than this. You'll be supporting Boise's nonprofit, restaurant, and music communities all in one evening!
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=327612185580&index=1

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd

BYP Luncheon
11:30am-1:00pm at the Boise Metro Chamber Offices.
Need to pre-register at boiseyp.org/events

Tech Boise: "Tech Kids Christmas"

5:30pm-7:30pm, at the Watercooler in Boise.

There will be things to occupy your hands and minds – plus free pizza!! There will be Show and Tell: We want to know what YOURfavorite gift is for the Tech Kid in your life. “LED Throwies!”, Show & Tell, Toy Drive

Boise Events - Week of Nov 9th

This is an exciting week in the Treasure Valley! Lots of great activities and opportunities to network with dynamic business folks.

Tuesday, November 10th

Meridian Business Days
7:30 am - 2pm at Meridian City Hall - FREE
Feel the power of workshops, networking, and FREE food from local restaurants.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=191838028477&ref=ts

Thursday, November 12th

Ignite Boise
Ticket Holders get in at 6:00 pm. General Admission at 6:30 pm. Show starts at 7PM.
Admission is always FREE. This is one of the most interesting events in Boise!
http://igniteboise.com/

Friday, November 13th

BYP Happy Hour
5:30 - 7:30pm at The Lobby
Come out to one of Boise's newest bars The Lobby (formally the location of Lush). Come see how they have changed this great hotspot. Now SMOKE FREE!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=187398739574&ref=ts

Hope to see you out and about! Happy Networking!

Weekly Networking Events - August 17th

Tuesday - August 18th

Get Famous! - FREE
5:00pm - 8:00pm at Insight Global (1045 Ancona Way, Eagle)
Join the Boise Business Co-Op and sponsors in a night of lights cameras action and of course great food, a live band, and business to business networking. This is your chance to have a commercial filmed about your business.....for Free! Click here for more info:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=122740133248

Wednesday - August 19th

Coffee with the Meridian Mayor - FREE
8:00 – 9:30 am at Gino’s Italian Ristorante (3015 W. McMillan, near the intersection of McMillan and Ten Mile Roads in Meridian).

This open-house style gathering provides people who live or work in Meridian a unique opportunity to meet and mingle with Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd and other city leaders in a casual, friendly, relaxed environment. Attendees are welcome to ask questions, discuss neighborhood issues, and pick up information about upcoming community events. No reservations necessary. Direct questions to Shelly Houston at 489-0531.

Ultra Clean Smoke Out
11:00 Am Speaker
11:30 - 1:30 Lunch & Networking
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=111877621389&ref=ts

Thursday, August 20th

Jelly Boise
8am - 12pm in the Idea Studio at The Watercooler - FREE
Lunch at Mazzah (17th & State) to follow for interested parties
View details HERE --> http://techboise.com/are-you-ready-to-jelly-boise
JELLY is currently going on in 100 cities around the world. It's like going to work to see all your cool peeps, but WITHOUT the office politics!

Also look for JELLY to be featured in next week's Boise Weekly article discussing Boise's Grassroots Tech Movement!

Are you ready to JELLY Boise?!

IT'S HAPPENING! We're having our first JELLY in Boise next week!

View details HERE --> http://techboise.com/are-you-ready-to-jelly-boise

August 20th in the Idea Studio at The Watercooler
8am - 12pm
Lunch at Mazzah (17th & State) to follow for interested parties

JELLY is currently going on in 100 cities around the world. It's like going to work to see all your cool peeps, but WITHOUT the office politics!

Also look for JELLY to be featured in next week's Boise Weekly article discussing Boise's Grassroots Tech Movement!

Networking Events Week of August 10th

Below are a couple events I know of happening this week in Boise!

Tuesday, August 11th

Boise Ice Breakers
6:00 - 9:00pm at Bungalow in Hyde Park (1520 N 13th St) = $10
Put on by the awesome crew at Seybold Scientific!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112031798876

Thursday, August 13th

Idaho Business Women's Network (IBWN) - women only
11:30 - 1:00pm at Dave's Grille (1411 Shilo Drive, Nampa) = $7.50
Speaker is Lori Volz owner of Metamorphic Massage Therapy. The lunch is 1/2 chicken salad with drink and dessert.
http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=IRVAPQNDWPRGIWKGXFKT&li=iq&src=email&trk=aei2

Kickstand - Open Mic Social Night!
5:30 – 7:00 at The Watercooler Idea Studio at 14th & Idaho
August is a "social" event and there is no set program. Instead, we will set the PA system up and make it available for "open mic". There will be a sign-up sheet for those who want 5 minutes to pitch an idea, celebrate a success, or tell a good story! (it must be legal and ethical!)

Jelly!

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?

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/

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

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!

The purpose of this blog site

Thank you for visiting my site. This is my first blog post!

The goal of this blog is to talk about the rockin' Boise business culture (I LOVE BOISE!) and to discuss sales/marketing project management.

I hope to include project management tips and benefits along with a sprinkling of sales and networking tips as well!