Kim Marie Branch-Pettid Acquires LeTip International

I did not know until recenty that San Diego was home to the venerable networking organization LeTip. Now I have learned that the founder of LeTip, Kenneth Peterson, has retired and sold his organization to LeTip’s President, Kim Marie Branch-Pettid. 

I sat down with her in December and found her to be a warm, energetic woman with a driving passion to serve her members grow her new business.

Kim Marie came from the banking world, where for 25 years she works in mergers & acqusitions and business development until she left to join Letip and worked her way up the organization.  She was appointed president in 2005.

I asked what her goals were for herself and the business. She did not hesitate to tell me that it will be her mission to increase the current membership from 11,000 to 50,000 in two years.

There is no doubt in my mind that this determined woman will do it!

 

MIT Enterprise & Connect’s Wine Social

There were easily 300 people at the beautiful Birch Aquarium at Scrippts on August 1st. Fabulous wine, gourmet food and light jazz made for a spectacular evening. The event was co-sponsored by Connect (formerly UCSD Connect) and MIT Enterprise Forum.  The attendees were top companies from the biotech industries and related service vendors. Watch for Connect’s Autumn Social September 27th.

Here is Payam Lavi, president of Convenience Enterprises, Keith McKenzie of Bernstein Global Wealth Management, along with Karen Winston, Program Manager, for SD MIT Enterprise Forum.

Enjoying the festivities are Jeff Barr of Idalica and Laura Darius of Darius Communications.  You may have seen the article about her company in the Aug. 6th issue of The San Diego Business Journal.  I have been her client, working with her to hone my presentation skills.  The video can be brutal but crucial to the learning process.  But aren’t we our own worst critic? 

A challenge for all who attend networking events is to keep the names, faces and business cards straight in your mind the next day when you go through the stack you collected.  I always suggest that you write notes on their card to help you recall your conversation and if you plan to reconnect for a specific reason. 

I have found that some people strive to stand out from the crowd and to cause someone to remember a chance encounter. That was the reasoning given to me by Eric Busboom, founder of Clarinova Software, when I commented on his cool fedora.  He figured that he would be the only man in the room sporting a hat and he knew that  he would be remembered as “the guy with the hat”.  Sure enough, when I looked him up in my Palm just now, it said “Hat Guy.”

Ok….back to the party.Did I mention the food?

This was my third Connect Social.  They have all been first class events that were attended by professionals from San Diego’s leading firms.

 

This is NOT Your Parent’s Networking Group!

Convivium (kən-vĭv- ēəm) n. Latin root for “Convivial” “Sociable, festive, jovial: fond of being in good company”

You’re young, hip, sexy, maybe a year or two out of college… and in the business world. You go to a networking event (maybe one you found on The San Diego Networking Guide) and think…”Most of these people are in their 40’s & 50’s! I want to network and Party! Where do I go???” Convivium!

Eric Berman, President of Convivum, summed it up in an email to me:

“The group was created because I saw a lot of people in the social scene that were also “hip/upscale young professionals” (who) didn’t have a coordinated outlet for business networking and reciprocally, those that were focused on their career didn’t have time to focus on how to manage their social calendars as well. Therefore, we brought both together. As you leave school, you are constantly (trying) to build your network for both business and friendships, etc. We aim to facilitate that process in a fun and meaningful way. People feel very comfortable being a part of our group and automatically have a connection with others which opens the door to whatever!!!”

On the website it says “At The Convivium it is okay to “mix business with pleasure!” Membership includes VIP treatment at San Diego’s hottest clubs and restaurants.

I’ll let others review future events…I would not want to be accused of being anyone’s mother!!

 

The San Diego Business Journal

The conscious networker would not be without The San Diego Business Journal.  Why is that?  The SDBJ is a part of my workshop.  I bring in an issue and we discuss how they can use it to:

• Stay current on events to facilitate networking conversations 
• Share information with your “Links”
• Learn about the “Movers & Shakers”
• Find events/seminars for yourself and others
• Learn of future “Awards” events and nominate someone
• Learn the top companies in major industries
• And more!

For the proactive, creative thinker there are several pieces of useful information in every issue.  Did someone you know get a promotion? Send a congratulations card! Did you notice a business meeting that will pull in a certain audience demographic?  Share that information with others! When it comes to speakers, the more influential the speaker, the more influential the audience.

My only wish is that they beef up their Business Events calendar.  Several months ago they re-vamped it by taking out all of the weekly networking events..most of them BNI meetings. (I did not mind…those type of events are covered in my event calendar.)  They do list industry association meetings, free educational seminars sponsored by various companies (usually for lead-generation purposes), workshops, trainings etc. There is no cost to be listed in their Business Events Calendar.

The SDBJ recently sponsored the 2007 Economic Forecast breakfast.  It was a beautiful morning at the Harbor Island Sheraton and there must have been nearly 500 people there. Here are some pictures which includes some of the slides about the forecast.  (The control buttons will appear when you mouse-over the lower right corner.) 

 

Meeting at Meetup

 

I’ve been hearing a buzz about Meetup.com so I checked them out recently. This social networking site has meetings for just about any type of social, hobby, sport, or business interest group out there.

They are loosly structured groups for a low cost. There are 753 groups listed within 50 miles of San Diego with membership ranging from just a few to several hundred.

There are some networking groups too, but not all of them appear to be active. However, the largest one, the San Diego Entrepreneurs Meetup Group , meets on the 2nd Monday of the month for a speed networking event. The group’s organizer is Doug Means who I have known for years as the host of my favorite online community, the Baja Nomad Discussion Board.

For someone who wants to organize their own group they may want to take a look around Meetup. There is one group, The Carlsbad Business Networking Meetup Group, that 54 people initially joined. It needs an organizer or it will be dissolved. There is no charge to join but organizers are charged $12 – $19 a month. (??)

In my experience, it is the less structured, lower cost groups that struggle the most. I guess it is human nature to place less value on lower cost activities…People are more likely to stay involved when they have an investment on the line…thus, $$ = committment. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. You just have to investigate for yourself!

 

Dee Sanford’s All Business Women’s Celebration of Women’s History Month

What a party! Dee’s events are full of passion and lots of smiling and laughing people supporting each other.  This is a group shot of us with Dee (bottom center) and San Diego’s top Networking Women representing 16 different networking  organizations.

You will notice two women that I have spotlighted in this group as well…Gail Spivey, President of the Black Business Association and Michelle Butler, President/CEO of the Women’s Business Center of California.

To see the whole album, visit http://tinyurl.com/36gldv 

Every month on the 3rd Friday, Dee hosts the African American Business Women of Vision Breakfast.  On Sept 7th, they will be celebrating 10 years! More Information

 

Speed Networking? On Your Mark…Get Set…NETWORK!!

First there was speed dating – now speed networking – it’s all about the numbers, right? Maybe yes, maybe no. If you have an ineffective approach, all the numbers in the world won’t help! (On either front!) I recently attended my first speed event and I learned that to fully utilize this format, preparation is in order.

Speed networking is gaining in popularity and it works like this:  half of the participants are seated for the entire event and the other half move from seat to seat at regular intervals.  Each participant has a couple of minutes to “pitch” to the other before moving on.

No matter what industry you are in, the odds dictate that there will be very few people at any given event actively looking for the solution you provide with your product or service. Whether or not you believe they “need” your solution is another issue. I am always dismayed when I encounter someone trying to convince another, at a networking event, that they are in need of whatever product or service they are selling. No one likes to be on the receiving end of an unwanted sales pitch.  Here are some guidelines when attending a speed-networking event:

When they are pitching and you are listening:

• Ask relevant questions about their business. Who is their best type of client? Who is their best referral partner? What type of connections do they need to further their business? Take notes on the back of their card and get back to them with any connections you can make. When you connect them with someone who can be of value to them, you will have a business friend for life (if they are smart!).

When you are pitching: (When possible, I let the other person go first. The more I know about them, the better I can tailor what I say so that it is relevant to them)

• The most important point to get across is the solution you offer and who you offer it to. Minor details do not matter – not how long you have been in business, not your dedication to customer service or your location.
• Tell them your best type of client, your best referral partner and who you need to meet to further your business.
• Have something of value to give them. It doesn’t even have to be related to your industry; as long as it is something they can use to increase their business.  I have free resources on my TheLinkSystem.com and SanDiegoNetworkingGuide.com websites – articles on networking skills, networking event calendars, and lots of contacts to hook them up with.
• DO NOT add them to your mailing list without their explicit permission. I am very careful to get permission to send something to them.  I tell them the name of the publication and when they can expect it.

Preparation is the key…know exactly who you need to meet, the information that you need to build your business, then ask for those contacts.  Being vague, general, or trying too hard to sell your services to everyone one you talk to, will not produce the results you want.  Offering to help others find the contacts they need will be an approach that will get their attention. You will be the only one asking these questions…AND the only one who did not try to sell to them in two minutes or less! 

©2007 All rights reserved. Mindy Selinger publishes The San Diego Networking Guide and is an authorized Link System Trainer.  She is available for speaking and can be reached at 760 788-9524.  For free networking tips, please visit her on the web at http://TheLinkSystem.com

 

So Many Networking Events, So little Time

The number one question I get asked is “What networking group should I join?” That is an impossible question to answer, for there are many factors to take into consideration. I hope to provide a little guidance here.

If you are just getting started, I suggest a mix of groups. If you have been in business for a while and want to get some new energy happening, take into consideration exactly what you need in order to elevate your business to the next level and choose your group(s) accordingly.

A note about Chambers of Commerce: Each chamber has their own rules about who can attend. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is the only chamber in San Diego County whose regular events, After 5 Mixers, are closed to non-members, including guests accompanied by members. However, if you contact Keith Woolgar, Business Development Manager, (tell him I sent you),  you may attend one of the popular Get Connected Breakfasts.  Their events are very large, and it is easy to understand that having unlimited guests would be difficult to accommodate.

Generally, all other chamber evening cocktail mixers are open to the public with no restriction (other than paying more than the members, which is to be expected). Many may require that you be invited to a breakfast or lunch. Please call the organization you wish to attend first, rather than dropping in unannounced.  My personal networking philosophy that I teach with The Link System, is to attend an event knowing that you are a guest, and to honor that privilege by providing value to as many people you connect with as possible. Too many “networkers” hit an event like a heat-seeking missile, out to find their next big account. They walk around with a fistful of business cards, handing them to everyone they meet.

• Chambers of Commerce
  If you want to establish yourself on a local level…there is nothing better than joining the Chamber of Commerce. However, as with anything you do in life, you get back what you put in. Joining a chamber does not automatically entitle you to start receiving referrals. Get involved…join a committee that matches your interests or abilities. I like the Ambassadors, (meet & greet), new member services or fundraising (meet people with money). Some chambers are more politically oriented than others…a great place to meet “movers & shakers” of the community.
• Monthly Groups
  These are normally membership-based but not necessarily exclusive in industry. There is a common bond, women, industry, philosophy, etc.
• Weekly Groups
  When considering joining either a weekly or a monthly group (or both), use these guidelines to determine which group is right for you:
  • Diversity. The membership should be diverse enough to put you in front of a variety of people so you are not running into the same people everywhere you go. (You can capitalize on that scenario as well, though).
  • Who do you want to target? Is your product or service targeted to businesses or consumers? Someone who sells personal care products will want a different focus than a commercial printer. The majority of the members should have a customer base similar to yours.
  • Where do you want to target?
    If your target is strictly local, you will not be needing an organization that has chapters in other cities (countries?). However, if you travel, for work or for pleasure, having a chapter to drop into when you are traveling can be a huge advantage.
  • Did they make you feel welcome?
    Oddly enough, I have had readers report back about groups that barely acknowledged their presence. Everyone was too busy talking among themselves. They hardly felt inspired to join. Personal chemistry with the individual members of a group will make or break your success. Choose a group that wants you.
  • Are you willing to commit enough time to networking?
    Do not join any networking organization expecting to get immediate results. (This bears repeating.) The members need to get to know you and trust you. Most organization will advise you that it will take up to three months to start the flow of referrals. There are exceptions. My first visit to Leads Club netted enough business to pay for my membership…I was hooked! (in case you are curious…my first business was – The Home Phone Jack Company – I installed and repaired residential telephone jacks. Honest!) In today’s hectic work scene, weekly meetings may seem at first, like an impossible amount of time to commit to. However, once committed, and made a habit, it has the potential to be a turning point in your business. I saw it happen with many, many members during the first 10 years of my self-employment. Wednesday Leads Club Lunch in Mission Bay…it was written in stone on my calendar. It served me very, very well. (That group, a women’s chapter, is still going strong 15 years later…with at least two of the original members)
• Professional Industry Groups
  Many people overlook the power of networking within their own industry. Limited thinking can cause a person to consider anyone in the same business simply as competition. But who better to learn from? Not everyone will have your specific target market or geographical territory. Networking within your own industry will keep you in touch with what is current, new & happening in your field. You want to be able to refer out the clients that are not quite right for you. When you do, you have made two people happy and that will come back to you!
• Civic or Philanthropic Organizations
  All leaders give back to the community in which they make their millions. You will never know who will be volunteering beside you to at the next event. However, do not join an organization in order to conduct business. Choose an organization for the passion you have for it…not for the membership roster. If you join for the wrong reasons, your motives will be very transparent.

Mel Kaufmann, author of The Millionaire’s Handbook, and founder of THE LINK SYSTEM says, “Networking is not a quick fix, like penicillin. Networking is more like taking your vitamins daily. It has a cumulative effect. Over time you will be financially healthy.”

Go forth and Network!