Tag Archives: business

Northside Networking Group Chicago

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Always good to be back in people meeting mode. Thanks to Northside Networking Group, moderated by C.J. Jelinek, for another stellar speed networking event hosted by a number of area chambers of commerce including West Ridge, Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville, and Rogers Park.

This business get-together took place at Mysore Restaurant on Devon Street featuring vegetarian cuisine from India. The savory pancake was very good as was the lentil dish and curry with rice.

I kicked off the event with a nice chat with Robert Taylor from Republic Bank.

This was a great opportunity to meet a number of new people as well as say hello to a few “old” friends, Bernie Small, Joe “the Plumber,” Tom Stuenkel, John Golden, Kate Alpert, Mike Shapiro, Mark Hernandez, and Marty Becklenberg to name a few.

New contacts included insurance professionals Mary Jane Alagheband, Benjamin Neikrug, and Jennifer Winterburn; Regina Rodriguez-Martin the “Content Conductor,” Dick Freund of Chemcraft Industries providing cleaning supplies; Nancye Rivera bookkeeping services, Diane Mardavich massage therapy, Angie Bender interior designer, therapist Joslyn Jelinek, and Joseph Szuba providing cost reduction services to help businesses save money on infrastructure costs.

Paloma Vargas from Fizz Word of Mouth Marketing stood out with her pitch for Burrow, the luxury couch for real life. Paloma mentioned that Burrow will bring a couch to a local event for the purpose of promoting word of mouth promotion. Very innovative and grassroots. I love it!

Nice to see that Chicago Children’s Choir is doing community outreach. I am acquainted with this organization through my wife Julie, who is the director of The Lake Shore Music Studio providing piano lessons for all ages. Many of her young music students, over the years, have been involved in the CCC as well.

Very happy to meet fellow audiovisual creative Michael Rataj of Bulb Brain Creative. I am always looking for ways to collaborate.

Finally thanks to David Levine from  Illinois Nut & Candy for supplying each of us with a delicious chocolate business card. This idea is just in time for the holiday season look for more information at http://raisingthecandybar.com .

This will not be my last networking event of the year but still a good time for my blog readers to consider your plans for expanding your network in 2019.

I am hoping to work with Scott Winterroth at CreativeYearEver.com to create some kind of business expansion workshop in January or February. In the meantime, you can get a jumpstart by downloading his workbook or signing up for his kickoff event.

Midwest Writers Association is planning to have me give a “How to Use Video” workshop probably at the Skokie Library in February.

As always consider reading my book or signing up for one of my online courses.

Look for my theater reviews at ChicagoTheaterandArts.com and be sure to visit ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com to see interesting activities and people in Chicago.

My video production portfolio is at RenoWeb.net .

 

 

 

 

List of Networking Tips Resources

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My friend Sally put together a nice list of networking tips and resources for improving your networking skills on her Public Relations blog.

Of course my online networking class is also available but you cannot have enough good information when it comes to improving your business skills. So read and study everything you can then put it into action by getting out and networking.

If you are in Chicago be sure to begin by signing up at the Business Card to Business Meetup.

Equity Crowdfunding

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In an effort to mix things up a bit I suggested that our business networking group join in this month with a meeting being promoted at 32 Squared shared office complex in Bridgeport on Chicago’s near south side.

The topic of the meeting was Equity Crowdfunding which is an investment and funding alternative that offers small investors an opportunity to make minimal investments in new or growing companies.

This funding option likewise provides new business ventures access to investment capital while in the nascent stage of their enterprise.

Unlike traditional crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe which solicit donations, sometimes in exchange for gifts or access to advance purchase of products or services; Equity Crowdfunding actually offers investors an equity position in the company in exchange for their money.

So Equity Crowdfunding is an investment venture that includes all of the risks associated with investing as well as the potential promise of returning a monetary return over time.

The program was presented by Florence Hardy of truCrowd which provides an online platform as well as the necessary brokering expertise to facilitate the sale and purchase of these investments.

The meeting was hosted by Andrew Fogaty the Director of the facility who provided a tour as well as a light lunch of Little Ceasar’s Pizza partly provided by UPS who shares space in the building.

To learn more about Equity Crowdfunding, shared office opportunities or our monthly networking meeting click on the appropriate links above.

Succeess in business requires continual education and the expansion of your sphere of influence through networking.

Networking with Bernie Day 83

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This week has begun with seventy degree weather and by “Networking with Bernie” at the Logan Square Library. Realtor Bernie Small has been hosting this group for about six year. Today’s presenter was language instructor Tony Marsh who demonstrated his method of helping people quickly become conversational in virtually any language.

John Jones, CPA who with Bernie and I are participating in a 100 day challenge to make 100 new business contacts reported that though it is day 83 he has made the goal of 100. Congratulations to John.  I am at 91 toward the achievement of my goal with 17 days left. Bernie announced that he felt the challenge has contributed significantly to what appears to multiple offers on  a condo he has for sale, as well as the identification and acquisition of an important investor for one of his other real estate projects.  So the journey continues.

New business contacts today include the following.

David Henly of Proctor Digital. Small business SEO and digital visibility specialist.

Perry Corneh of Promptly Properties can help you use real estate to build wealth.

Financial advisor and planner, Nick Smith of PHP Agency.

Michael and Jenn Querubin of Inbound Artistry. A social media marketing agency.

Some friends and previous business acquaintances also in attendance included.

Avi Menachem,  Zero-Carbon Travel  providing low cost travel with a carbon offset.

Harriet Luden, Donna’s Garden Flower Shop on Peterson Ave near Central.

Tony Paolella providing sales leads for B2B development.

Joe the Plumber and skin care specialist Andrea Nierhof.

What are you doing to expand your sphere of influence?  Business networking is a great way to meet more people, stay in contact with those you have met and in so doing stay top of mind while building stronger and more meaningful relationships as you get to know each individual better.  Break out of your comfort zone and join us the last Tuesday of every month at our Business Card to Business Networking Group.

Small Business Networking to Grow Your Business | Podcast

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Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Jeff Williams of Bizstarters who specializes in assisting individuals interested in starting a business over the age of 50. In this episode of Jeff’s podcast “Running a Great Business After 50” we spoke about using face-to-face networking to expand your sphere of influence and grow your business. We touched on the challenges small business face managing resources and using social media to stay top of mind as well as the importance of understanding the overall marketing objective when making a good promotional business video.

100 DAYS Challenge First Check-in 2017

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I am happy to announce that 10 days into the challenge I have 18 people who have joined me in my 100 Day Challenge to Grow Your Network and increase your sphere of influence. Once I get everyone’s permission I will create a post with the names of each of the participants and their weblinks. I will be using this blog to post my personal updates related to the chalenge and give shoutouts to the participants and the people I meet along the way.

This site is dedicated to my interest in face-to-face networking. To learn more about my web video services be sure to visit RenoWeb.net.

Networking Tips | Ask Questions | Small Talk

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Some people have trouble getting a conversation going. Don’t panic. Often it is as simple as asking a question such as, “How’s your day going?” That’s a better question than, How are you doing? or What’s new? because it is more timely, direct and specific. The person may respond, “Terrific! I’m having a great day.” Or they may launch into a number of trials they are facing. Either way be sure you listen to the response and be prepared to comment if appropriate or ask further questions.  

When networking for business it is important to build rapport and cultivate a relationship with new prospects, or people you meet who can become part of your referral network, or a potential friend. Be open to building a relationship even if you are not clear where this person might fit into your business or personal life. That is what building a network is all about. A virtual web of people who know who you are and have come to like you and ultimately trust you. People will like you if you show a genuine interest in them. This will lead to stronger business relationships and a richer life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Business Card to Business Success – Online Learning

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Online course from business card to business success graphicIn this class you will learn easy practical tactics and concepts that you can start using right away to begin networking to grow your business.

 

I share proven real world examples from my book plus lessons I have learned in my experience as an entrepreneur for over 25 years including running a number of community organizations and networking groups myself.

 

Learn at your own pace. There is over 2 and a half hours of content that you binge watch in one sitting or go through a lesson or two every day, taking time to incorporate the ideas into your daily activities.

 

When you complete the course you will understand what you need to do to start building more meaningful business relationships that will take you from business card to business success.

This online course is ideal for local service providers and entrepreneurs who want to create inexpensive powerful word-of-mouth advertising that will take you From Business Card to Business Success.

 

Including :
The Fundamental Importance of Relationship Building
Finding Formal and Informal Networking Opportunities Everywhere
How to Share Information About You and Your Company, Product or Service
How to Identify Your Ideal Client or Customer
Understand and Communicate What a Good Lead Is for You
Build and Project Your Brand Image
How to Enter and Leave a Conversation
Multiply Your Efforts by Establishing Business Allies and Working With a “Wing Man”
Special Information for Local Service Providers, Introverts and Employees
Shameless Self Promotion
Following Up With Contacts
Creating a Plan

BONUS CONTENT:

Online Networking

Help for Introvert Entrepreneurs

10 Ways to Grow Your Business

You’ll find all this and more when you enroll for less than the price of a large pizza.

 

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Don’t miss this chance to find out how to easily increase your business opportunities and make more money, presented by networking group coordinator Reno Lovison, author of “Turn Your Business Card Into Business” sharing over 25 years of successful entrepreneurial experience.
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Chicago Business Card to Business Networking Meetup | October 2014 Meeting |

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Take a look at the video highlights of the October Chicago Business Card to Business Meetup. Since it was so close to Halloween we decided it would be fun to share business horror stories. We have all had things happen to us in business that were scary, mortifying or downright horrific. What a great topic. It was a perfect topic for a few good laughs and chance to unload some bad memories. Too bad you missed some of the really good stuff. But be sure to RSVP and join up if you are in Chicago or passing through anytime during the last Tuesday of any month. This it the perfect event for meeting other entrepreneurs, sharing ideas, learning from each other and growing your business.  We meet at the Roots Room just off the corner of Foster and Kimball on the north side of Chicago. Easy access by Brownline elevated, Kimball & Foster Bus and plenty of  free street parking.

The networking group is organized by Reno Lovison. Author of “Turn Your Business Card Into Business” and online web video producer.