What is New at Rainmakers?
I caught up with Tony Scelzo in a noisy coffee shop recently, and we talked aobut some of the changes at Rainmakers. An integral part of the Indy small business community, working with AddressTwo, they have automated the process of making strategic connections and managing contacts. They are, as Tony says, the eHarmony of business. To learn more, listen to our conversation: Podcast Powered By...
read moreBuilding a Local Business
When I left corporate, I was tired of airplanes and travel. I had spent eleven years flying around the country, had seen every state except for Alaska, and can honestly say every Marriot courtyard is exactly the same. I was ready to sleep in my own bed. Step one in this process was building a local business, with enough clients and projects to keep me on the ground and at home. I joined networking organizations and clubs, serve on the board of directors for several organizations, and support local businesses through my purchases when possible. The result is a healthy local...
read more[alphaChicks] Networking Tips!
Today’s Blog post Stephanie Williams, founder of [alphaChicks] shares some of her favorite networking tips. It’s a new year full of new resolutions and goals and yet, I’m sure one thing still remains the same: find new prospects and make new connections. So, here are our top 3 tips to building a quality rolodex: Quality over quantity. Getting a ton of business cards can make you look productive but probably isn’t more than glorified desktop décor. Focus on networking in places where you have either a common interest such as an industry or target market or a like-minded...
read moreWhat Defines a Relationship?
The other day, Hazel Walker and I were out walking. In the course of six miles we talked about vacations, business, and relationships. As part of the research for her new book, she and her co-authors have discovered some real differences in how men and women view business relationships. It seems, we women have more trouble with the idea that it is “just business” . We want relationships with our clients and suppliers, and we define relationships as an interaction where we know something about the person. Men tend to be more transactional in nature. If they have done...
read moreEveryone Needs a Good Secretary
When I was President of Rainmakers, I developed a habit of using stories to introduce a concept. This is one of my favorites, because it is a great example of persistence and a successful launch through relationships. It is the story of the scientists at the 3M Company who found a use for an adhesive which didn’t stick. Despite discouraging feedback from the marketing department and his peers, Arthur Fry believed in the potential of this unique product. So he bypassed traditional channels, made a batch of the pads using the adhesive and distributed them to the secretaries of all...
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