International Networking Day (IND) is coming. What are your plans?

This is an initiative started by Dr. Ivan Misner 5 years ago. Dr. Misner is the founder of BNI. Have a look at the video to learn about International Networking Day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuhRnlki088

I’m honoured to be presenting at two IND events. One is being hosted by Jennifer Beale in Toronto; the other is hosted by Deborah Foster-Stahle in Collingwood. Both events represent what I love most about IND; business people networking.

This is the 5^th year Jennifer is hosting an IND event. Her events are extremely well-thought out and bring together an extensive group of experts. Have a look at www.BizNETWORKnews.com to see exactly who’s presenting. If you haven’t yet seen Donna Messer in action – you don’t want to miss her! She has one of the most unique, dynamic networking approaches I have ever seen.

Then I’m off to Osler Bluffs where BNI Executive Director Deborah Foster-Stahle is hosting NetSki Day. This is an incredibly innovative networking event. Skiing at a private club and honing your networking skills. What a great Canadian combination!

You can check out Deborah’s event at www.bnicanada.ca, click on events.

You may not be able to attend both events (even I’m a bit anxious about getting from one to the otherJ) but, I invite you to celebrate IND by joining me at one if you can.

If you can’t attend either event, celebrate the day by re-connecting with someone in your network who you think you can help. Strong business referrals come from strong relationships and strong relationships come from helping each other.

BNI Showcase 2011 was a huge success!

It was planned to be a unique networking event and that’s exactly how it turned out.

All 70 exhibitors had terrific looking display spaces and the 300 people who attended were incredibly impressed.

Here’s what I heard:

“It was fantastic”.

“I’ve been here2 hours and I still have people I’d like to talk to.”

“People were not just chatting; they were talking about real business opportunities.”

“I was introduced to folks I’ve been trying to connect with for months.”

I was very proud to be part of this event.

Here’s the next event I’m looking forward to – International Networking Day. Jennifer Beale, Unleash PR, is hosting this annual event on Tuesday February 8, 2011. Check it out at www.BizNETWORKnews.com. There are still tickets available. I’ll be presenting with Referral Institute trainer Cindy Mount, mid-morning.

Cindy and I had a great time last year and this year looks to be even bigger.

Come join us!

Cory will help you get money back; Mike will help you have more in 2011.

I’ve had the privilege of seeing both these gentlemen present in the past. The value they deliver is outstanding. Don’t miss them.
Cory Haynes’ goal is to simplify the claim SR&ED process for his clients. His value proposition is simple; maximize your SR&ED and technology tax credits, and minimize your resource cost and risk.

The Alma team has successfully delivered thousands of technology tax credit claims and client consultations. With a proven track record spanning over a decade, Alma Consulting Group Canada has a credible reputation with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is a recognized technical leader in the industry. In fact, our firm has worked closely with the CRA and industry leaders to assist in creating various SR&ED technical guidelines.

Mike Draper, Partner Growth Advisors, is going to talk about How to Effectively Grow Your Business.

  

In his session we’ll learn about the "5 Ways Formula" to massively grow your business; cost effective lead generation strategies and how to convert more leads to sales. If you want to increase your sales, don't have enough customers and are working too many hours you should see Mike’s presentation.

The BNI Showcase 2011 at Glen Abby Golf Course in Oakville on January 20^th it starts at 2:00 pm and goes ‘til 7:00 pm. If you want to go, register yourself (and your guests) at click on the corporate connections link above. Attendance is free if you pre-register.

Time       Presenter                                                                             

3:00         Tanya Staples, ExecuCorp Canada www.execucorpcanada.ca 

3:30         Paula Hope, Referral Institute www.referralinstitute.ca

                Cory Haynes, Alma Consulting www.almacg.ca 

4:00         Renée Brisson-Khan, RBK Artworks www.rbkartworks.com 

4:30         Judi Johnstone, First Vancouver Finance www.fvf.ca 

                Mike Draper, Growth Advisors www.growthadvisors.com       

5:00         Paula Hope, Referral Institute www.referralinstitute.ca

Looking for more referrals in 2011? Paula will show you how...

This Showcase is also a networking event, so bring your business cards. Networking is one of the first steps to creating profitable referral relationships. Paula’s going to let us know about the rest of the process.

Paula Hope, President of the Referral Institute - Peel-Halton, will speak about “Creating Referrals for Life”. Paula’s mission is to ensure that all business professionals develop an effective Word-Of-Mouth marketing plan in order that they may generate a personal system for creating referrals for life. With a Word-of-Mouth plan and their own diligence, business professionals will find that the 34% closing rate generated by referrals can result in doubling their business within a year.

Don’t miss Paula’s sessions.

And visit the outstanding companies exhibiting at the BNI Showcase 2011 at Glen Abby Golf Course in Oakville on January 20^th. The showcase starts at 2:00 pm and goes ‘til 7:00 pm. If you want to go, register yourself (and your guests) at click on the corporate connections link above. Attendance is free if you pre-register. Check out the story about the Showcase in the January issue of SNAP Milton and SNAP Oakville.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 20^th.

Time       Presenter                                                                             

3:00         Tanya Staples, ExecuCorp Canada www.execucorpcanada.ca 

3:30         Paula Hope, Referral Institute www.referralinstitute.ca

                Cory Haynes, Alma Consulting www.almacg.ca 

4:00         Renée Brisson-Khan, RBK Artworks www.rbkartworks.com 

4:30         Judi Johnstone, First Vancouver Finance www.fvf.ca 

                Mike Draper, Growth Advisors www.growthadvisors.com       

5:00         Paula Hope, Referral Institute www.referralinstitute.ca

This will be a great (and scary) presentation to see…

Here’s one of the breakout sessions I’m looking forward to, especially since we’re at the beginning of 2011 and most people give a bit of though to their health and wellness for the coming year. Companies do as well

Tanya Staples of ExecuCorp Canada is going to show us some frightening wellness statistics (and believe me, you’ll remember them!), shed some light on why wellness is so important, and share some tips and tools that we can apply to our own life, or the lives of our employees.

ExecuCorp Canada is a leading edge company in the corporate wellness development field. If your colleagues, clients or suppliers manage or own companies where people are the greatest asset – invite them to Tanya’s breakout session. They will probably never have seen this material before and it will be an eye-opener. It will also leave them with a huge understanding as to how easy it is to make corporate wellness part of a corporation’s culture.

There are outstanding companies exhibiting at the BNI Showcase 2011 at Glen Abby Golf Course in Oakville on January 20^th. The showcase starts at 2:00 pm and goes ‘til 7:00 pm. If you want to go, register yourself (and your guests) at click on the corporate connections link above. By the way, attendance is free if you pre-register. Check out the story about the Showcase in SNAP Milton and SNAP Oakville

The presenters are listed here. I hope we’ll see you on the 20^th.

Time       Presenter                                                                             

3:00         Tanya Staples, ExecuCorp Canada www.execucorpcanada.ca 

3:30         Paula Hope, Referral Institute www.referralinstitute.ca

                Cory Haynes, Alma Consulting www.almacg.ca 

4:00         Renée Brisson-Khan, RBK Artworks www.rbkartworks.com 

4:30         Judi Johnstone, First Vancouver Finance www.fvf.ca 

                Mike Draper, Growth Advisors www.growthadvisors.com       

5:00         Paula Hope, Referral Institute www.referralinstitute.ca

The BNI Showcase 2011 is Heating Up!

It’s official… the BNI Showcase 2011 is sold out. Sixty-eight businesses from across the Golden Horseshoe Region will exhibit at Glen Abby Golf Course in Oakville on January 20^th. It starts at 2:00 pm and goes ‘til 7:00 pm. If you want to go, register yourself (and your guests) at http://www.bnicorporateconnections.com (click on the link above).

What’s going to make this really interesting is not only the phenomenal networking opportunities, but a number of businesspeople are offering breakout sessions, too. I’ve listed the sessions below and linked to each business’s website.

I had a chance to talk with Renée Brisson-Khan of RBK Artworks about her presentation. Renée’s a terrific graphic designer with a specialty in trade show design, which she’s going to talk about on the 20^th.

When working with clients, Renée asks “Who are you?”, “Where are you positioned?” and “Where do you want to be?” With a different approach from many graphic designers, she believes design is not just about clever visuals, but also that the pieces must tie into company identity and are authentic. 

Renee's breakout session "Trade Show Tips to Stand Out In a Crowd" will focus on getting value from trade shows.

If your friends, colleagues, clients or suppliers exhibit at trade shows – invite them to Renée’s breakout session. Trust me, they’ll thank you.

The presenters are listed here. I hope we’ll see you on the 20^th.
Time     Presenter                                                        

3:00      Tanya Staples, ExecuCorp Canada, http://www.execucorpcanada.ca/ 

3:30       Paula Hope, Referral Institute, www.referralinstitute.ca

             Cory Haynes, Alma Consulting, www.almacg.ca 

4:00        Renée Brisson-Khan, RBK Artworks, www.rbkartworks.com 

4:30        Judi Johnstone, First Vancouver Finance, http://www.fvf.ca/ 

               Mike Draper, Growth Advisors, http://www.growthadvisors.com/                                      

5:00        Paula Hope, Referral Institute, www.referralinstitute.ca