Tag Archives: networking

Business Networking Ideas You Can Use

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Face-to-face networking is slowly making a come-back and that includes the Small Business Expo. This is a popular event that takes place in first and second tier cities around the country. The event does a nice job of presenting exhibitor opportunities, educational sessions and most importantly a chance to network.

One of the typical features of the expo is their speed networking sessions where business people can quickly learn a little about one another and then decide whether to follow-up to interact more.

During the lock-down  SBE did a good job of keeping their events going with online sessions. I attended a number of them and made several good new contacts.

Here is a video from SBE founder & CEO, Zachary Lezberg, sharing useful and insightful networking ideas.

Stay Home and Meet the World | Virtual Networking

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It goes without saying that business networking in 2020 during the wake of Covid-19 has been a challenge. In the past I typically would attend on average more than two events a month. This year I have not been to any public events since mid-March and here it is nearly the beginning of November.

One strategy is to take this time to reach out and have a few one-on-one conversations with some of the folks in your current database. After all half of the trick to successful business networking is follow up and that’s where most of us drop the ball. So pull out that stack of business cards or work through your LinkedIn contact list to mine some of that gold hiding in plain sight.

Keep in mind that good follow-up is not all about hitting someone over the head with your sales pitch. How about just calling to see if they are holding up alright in this environment?  See if they are facing any specific business challenges or if they have identified any new business opportunities as a result of working from home. Make a connection and build your relationship. That is the key to good networking.

There are many business networking events taking place online. This week I attended the Chicago edition of the Virtual Small Business Expo.  This organizer puts on roughly one event a week each centered in a different U.S. city. But what is cool about the virtual version is that you can attend them all regardless of where you live with no travel costs. If you have a product or services that can be sold remotely what a great networking opportunity.

At the Chicago event I met about 15 new people. Moshe Wolf offers I/T support on the far north side of Chicago and I just happened to have a good contact for him that I was happy to share. Jeffrey Stein is a media relations professional and avid Toastmaster. We have one friend in common who I happened to remember is also a member of the Professional Toastmasters Group that meets in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook.  Ashley Lyle is a web designer out of Detroit but is also involved with a Black Literature and Art Network which I thought was a good fit with my client and friend Regina Harris-Biaocchi who is a noted African American Composer and Author. I also seemed to hit-it-off with Tehilla Newman, a networking ninja and salesperson at-large who is looking for the right sales opportunity. She and I had a great follow-up conversation by phone today and established what I think will be a good friendship and potential alliance.

I’m looking forward to another follow-up conversation next week with cardio health specialist Judy Feldhausen who incidentally has a number of interesting videos on youtube demonstrating healthy food preparation options.

One really fun conversation was the last of the day with Shawn Shapiro a business strategist from Minnesota and Shola Elerewe a data analyst from London.  We just had a nice talk about life, business, and how cool it was that the three of us could learn about each other meeting face-to-face via the Internet across thousands of miles and several time zones.

The nice thing about online networking in this environment is the fact that you can see the person you are speaking with, which makes a deeper connection. Maybe this will require you to step outside your comfort zone but what’s really nice is that you do not have to step outside you home office.

I’m planning to attend a few more of these Small Business Expo events in the coming weeks and months so look for me at the roundtables or speed networking sessions.

 

Virtual Networking Gains Popularity

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In the midst of a pandemic, face-to-face networking has been curtailed however many businesspeople are finding ways to move their desire to make personal connections into the cloud with virtual networking events via Zoom or other platforms.

Cassie Amundson of Inside Publications recently interviewed some Chicago based virtual networkers for an article that appeared in the July 29 – August 4, 2020 issue of Inside-Booster and their other sister neighborhood newspapers available locally and online.

You can listen to a monthly podcast summary of Chicago neighborhood news derived from Inside Publications produced by ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com.

Building Relationships at Northside Networking | April 2019

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In the last five months, I have attended three Northside Networking Group meetings, one Devon Street in November and another at Ethiopian Diamond in Rogers Park in January.

These very nice events held roughly every two months, are led by web developer C.J. Jelinek and promoted by a number of Chambers of Commerce on Chicago’s Northside.

Today’s event was held at Pho Viet on Broadway near Argyle and fittingly hosted by Uptown United and the Uptown Chamber of Commerce represented by Greg Carroll.

Partly because of the location I took time to promote my Marketing /Video Production business and also made a particular point to promote my client South-East Asia Center (SEAC) an Uptown not-for-profit agency for whom I act as Outreach & Communications Coordinator and Special Projects Consultant.

I have been enjoying my tenure with SEAC this past two years working on diverse projects that have included, as an example, redoing their printed brochures, updating the website to WordPress, creating some video PSA’s broadcast on cable TV, creating a video training program, having a mural painted on the el track embankment alongside the property, and art directing the installation of a number of decorative banners along the organization’s parking lot near Ainslie.

On SEAC’s Foster Avenue location, that houses the after-school program, I was responsible for hiring contractors to add a beautiful reclaimed slate roof and enhancing the facade with new window graphics.

All of the public facing graphics, banners and murals project the theme of “Valuing Education” and depict children who have endured a difficult journey to obtain their education.

Contacts I have made through Northside Networking have contributed to providing resources I have needed to aid South-East Asia Center and other clients.

It was a pleasure as usual to see many familiar faces and have a chance to touch base with a number of business friends as well as set the stage for building new relationships.

Today I had a good conversation over lunch with Adi from theBulletin.io and learned much about their digital billboard platform

Reviewing my post from the November meeting I see that is where I first met Michael Rataj a fellow videographer. We got together for a snack at Chicago Joe’s shortly after that and he is now working on some videos and possible podcasts to submit to my ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com blog and podcast program.

As a result of that meeting, I had coffee dates with business coach Mike Shapiro at a bakery on Howard Street and Regina Rodriguez-Martin the “Content Conductor.”  She and I have also encountered one another at a few other events which is really helping to build our relationship.

At the January meeting, I became reacquainted with Barbara Singal of Ease the Day who is in the process of potentially working with SEAC to help improve administrative processes.

There are several others who I have known for a while such as Joe the Plumber, Bernie Small, Erica Minchella and Marty Becklenberg and a few, like Paul Baraz, who have recently attended my monthly “Business Card to Business” networking meeting.

A favorite question at these events and other networking events is to identify who might be a good referral or strategic partner for you. This can be an enlightening exercise but I have always maintained that new business and referrals often come from the most unexpected places. Practically speaking I find it is effective to simply build connections with other business people who you come in contact with that seem to have a good “vibe” or “good energy” and who seem willing to take the time to better understand who you are and what you do.

So if you have met me at a networking event give me a call or send an email and suggests we have a telephone conversation, coffee or lunch and get busy developing a real meaningful relationship that is mutually beneficial.

Making Small Talk Ask Questions

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According to Harvard Researchers, “people who ask more questions are better liked by their conversation partners.” However, you need to improve your questioning skills.

Questions like “How are you?” are fairly meaningless because it is too vague and open-ended.

If you know the person ask specific questions that show you remember something about them. For instance, “How does your daughter like her new school, is she settling in okay?” This question shows you remember the person has a daughter, that she is starting at a new school and that you have some concern for her comfort and progress. This should get the conversation going easily. Offer new information and follow up with another question to keep the exchange going.

When you do not know the person or do not have previous experience with them you might offer something about yourself such as, “I saw an interesting play last week at the Wit.” “Are you a theater or movie fan, have you seen anything worth checking out?” If they say no you can always follow up by asking about what they like to do outside of work.

If this all sounds too personal for your comfort level and it is a business environment ask, “So what have you been working on lately? Have you had any interesting clients or assignments?” I use this in networking situations rather than, “What do you do?” Because it elicits a more interesting answer other than their stock elevator pitch and gives me deeper insight into the person’s business or service.

I regularly attend a number of networking events so I might ask, “Have you attended this event before?” If yes I follow up with, “Is there anyone here you think I should meet or who might be interesting to know? Could you introduce me?” If they do not know anyone I will be sure to introduce them to someone that I know.

Avoid beginning conversations with traffic, sports, weather, or politics these are generally time wasters. In a business environment do your best to launch the conversation with something that is germane to your mutual interest and advances your knowledge of the subject or provides new information to the other person.

A good question might include breaking news about your mutual subject area, like, “What did you think about the report that …?” If they are not aware you can fill them in. If they have an opinion your conversation is off and running.

According to an article by CNBC online, it is suggested to use the accronym A.C.T. as a reminder when making small talk. Be Authentic, make a Connection and give a Taste of who you are.

Authenticity means keeping it real. Don’t just look for something to fill time. Show a genuine interest in the other person.

To make a connection your topic should be mutually interesting.

Giving a taste of who you are, requires that you be willing to reveal something about yourself.

As you perfect your questioning skills avoid coming across as an interviewer or worse yet and interrogator. Be sure you react to the other person’s answer by offering some further insight of your own before firing off another question. They want to learn about you too. Hopefully, they will ask a question of you and keep the exchange moving.

Like anything it takes practice. The take away here is basically to be sure you include questioning in your small talk arsenal of networking skills.

 

 

 

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.

Throw Me in the Trash – NOT!

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This article has some very useful tips about using business cards in a modern networking environment.  Don’t overlook this valuable lead generating tool. Re-think it and use it with purpose. If just one card goes out and brings back some business it will be worth the effort and small investment.

How To Turn Your Business Card Into a Lead Generation Machine

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.