Network El Paso!

WEEK OF January 31, 2010

Monday (31):

8:45 a.m.  – 9:45 a.m.

CBP of EP-Christian Business Professionals of El Paso - Networking starts at 8:30 a.m.  Pray, meet your fellow professionals, moment of education, moment of encouragement; get focused for the rest of the week, and have a light breakfast at the same time!

Where: 6070 Gateway East Suite 500 Conference Room 5^th Floor

Cost:  Free

10:00 a.m.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano speaking at UTEP

Where: Magoffin Auditorium UTEP

RSVP:  eventresponse@utep.edu

Cost:  Free

Tuesday (1):

7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m.

NEBA Meeting Northeast Business Alliance Event featuring networking and guest speakers.

Where:  Burrito House 9844 Dyer

Info:  NEBA2008@gmail.com   or 915-588—7283

Cost: Optional breakfast

11:30 a.m.

Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Amigos Committee Meeting-Guest Speaker-Charlie Molinar Presentation: Multi-Share Plan.  Group of volunteers performing functions for membership.

Where:  The El Paso Club, 201 E. Main 18^th Floor, Chase Building

Info:  Claudia Rosales 915-534-0500

Cost: $25.00

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Homegrown El Paso Meet & Greet Hosted by the Historic Gardner Hotel

Where:   311 E. Franklin

RSVP: 915-240-8804

Cost: Free 

Wednesday (2):

8:30  p.m. - 9:45 a.m.

BNI JAVA-Business Networking International- Networking starts at 8:15 a.m.  Join a professional group of local business superstars.  Make sure you have a one minute intro about yourself ready to share.

Where:  Carnitas Queretaro, 9077 Gateway West

Cost:  Optional Breakfast cost

Thursday (3):

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Greater El Paso Chamber Weekly Classes-Quickbooks Class 1

Series of 5 classes starts today

Cost:  $250 members

Where:  Bsuiness Computer Lab 10 Civic Center Plaza

Register:  srey@elpaso.org

Friday (4):

10:00 a.m.

El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Minority Certifications & Government Contracting

Where:  2401 E. Missouri

Cost: $20.00

RSVP: 915-566-4066

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

BNI Synergy-Business Networking International- Join a professional group of local business superstars.  Make sure you have a one minute intro about yourself ready to share.

Where:  Coronado Towers Lancers 10^th floor meeting room

Cost:  Optional Lunch cost

Netwrok El Paso!

WEEK OF January 24, 2010

Monday (24):

Tuesday (25):

7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m.

NEBA Meeting Northeast Business Alliance Event featuring networking and guest speakers.

Where:  Burrito House 9844 Dyer

Cost:  Optional Breakfast

Info:  NEBA2008@gmail.com   or 915-588—7283

Wednesday (26):

7:30 a.m.

The Entrepreneurial Technical Assistance centers of the EP Hispanic Chamber invites you to kick off an exciting new year with a brilliant panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs who are on target.  Come and learn how to navigate your business through 2011.

Where:  La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant 9515 Gateway West

Cost: $25 includes breakfast

Info:  RSVP Adriana Trillo atrillo@epgcc.org

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Like speed dating without the dating.  Nothing but net, networking that is! 

Where:  Marco Pollo 587 N Yarbrough

Cost:  $25 members/$35 nonmembers

Info:  RSVP Vianay Gutierrez vgutierrez@ephcc.org

Thursday (27):

8:30  p.m. - 9:45 a.m.

BNI-Business Networking International- Networking starts at 8:15 a.m.  Join a professional group of local business superstars.  Make sure you have a one minute intro about yourself ready to share.

Where: Andale Restaurant

Cost:  Optional Breakfast cost

Friday (28):

10:00 a.m.

Opening Doors to New Opportunities through Minority Certifications.  Covers Small and Minority Certifications, and how they can help your country grow.

Where: El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2401 E Missouri

Cost:  $20

RSVP:  566-4066

Network El Paso!

WEEK OF January 17, 2010

Monday (17):  Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday (18):

7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m.

NEBA Meeting Northeast Business Alliance Event featuring networking and guest speakers.

Where:  Burrito House 9844 Dyer

Info:  NEBA2008@gmail.com   or 915-588—7283

Wednesday (19):

5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Show me the money-Lending Workshop.  The EP Minority Business Enterprise Center will be hosting a best practices to accessing capitol.

Where:  EP Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2401 E Missouri

Cost: $20

RSVP: 566-4066

Thursday (20):

8:30  p.m. - 9:45 a.m.

BNI-Business Networking International- Networking starts at 8:15 a.m.  Join a professional group of local business superstars.  Make sure you have a one minute intro about yourself ready to share.

Where: Andale Restaurant

Cost:  Optional Breakfast cost

Friday (21):

7:30 a.m.

Café y Pan Dulce –EP Hispanic Chamber of Commerce puts together a networking event that exposes your business to 100+ professionals.  Bring your 15 second elevator speech. 

Where:  La Hacienda Mexican Grill 9515 Gateway West

Cost:  Free

Info:  vgutierrez@ephcc.org

Network El Paso!

WEEK OF January 10, 2010

Monday (10):

8:45 a.m.  – 9:45 a.m.

CBP of EP-Christian Business Professionals of El Paso - Networking starts at 8:30 a.m.  Pray, meet your fellow professionals, moment of education, moment of encouragement; get focused for the rest of the week, and have a light breakfast at the same time!

Where: 6070 Gateway East Suite 500 Conference Room 5^th Floor

Tuesday (11):

7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m.

NEBA Meeting Northeast Business Alliance Event featuring networking and guest speakers.

Where:  Burrito House 9844 Dyer

Info:  NEBA2008@gmail.com   or 915-588—7283

Wednesday (12):

2:30 p.m.

WNET: Understanding Cash Flow Statements-Join the Women’s business Border Center of your EP Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Administration at an informative seminar, where business owners and participants will be able to understand an essential component to their business-cash flow statements.

Where: 211 N Florence Suite 201

Cost $10

Info: Adriana Trillo 566-4066 atrillo@ephcc.org

Thursday (13):

8:30  p.m. - 9:45 a.m.

BNI-Business Networking International- Networking starts at 8:15 a.m.  Join a professional group of local business superstars.  Make sure you have a one minute intro about yourself ready to share.

Where: Andale Restaurant

Cost:  Optional Breakfast cost

Friday (14):

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

HireTimes Career Group-Live Career Connection Networking Event

Where:  Thyme Matters Restaurant 5857 N Mesa 79912

Contact:  Tish Times invite@eventbrite.com

Life Insurance Selling Article gives cold calling advice

Web Exclusives

 

Cold calling: Get out of your comfort zone 

 

• Kim Meli-Lovett

Published 12/29/2010 

Magazine Subscription  | Article Reprints

Don’t settle for mediocrity. It won’t always be easy, but sometimes, so as to not completely sabotage your success, you’ll have to step out of your comfort zone. This means that if your current plan of action, no matter how comfortable it is, isn’t producing increased success in your sales and/or marketing … change it up! In sales, getting out of your comfort zone may be as simple as pushing yourself to become more disciplined in making cold calls. We all can easily come up with reasons (actually excuses!) why we can’t take time from our very busy days to make cold calls that we know will ultimately pay off. However, once you get yourself into a routine, which should only take about three weeks to do, it will be one of your most valuable success decisions.
There are two essentials in getting motivated to make cold calls: developing a good list that is demographically selected and up to date, and getting your head completely in the game.

You can’t expect the results you want from your cold calling if you’re not totally into it. You must be enthusiastic and have this resonate in every call you make. And you must believe that every time you pick up that phone, you are on your way to a fabulous outcome. Of course, we all know that every call won’t turn into a sale. But because it is definitely a numbers game, every time you dial, you’re laying the groundwork for success.
And remember, because it is all in the numbers: keep dialing. Set a specific time every day that you will make your calls, and don’t stop calling during this entire period. After you finish a call, start your next one. When we put the phone down, it gives us time to get distracted with other things, like checking e-mail, doing paperwork surfing the Web, etc.
If you stay dedicated to this routine, you are not only working toward setting appointments right now, you’re also gathering information from potential clients for future appointments. Both of these bring you closer to your sales goals.

Editor’s Note: The preceding excerpt was taken from Kim Meli-Lovett’s feature, “Maximizing your marketing and sales,” in the March 2008 issue of Life Insurance Selling. Click here to read the complete article.
Kim Meli-Lovett is executive vice president of The Directory Inc. She joined the company in 1996. She has more than 17 years experience in the marketing industry. Her expertise is in integrated database direct mail with a special focus on senior market products.

Network El Paso!

WEEK OF January 3, 2010

Monday (3):

Tuesday (4):

7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m.

NEBA Meeting Northeast Business Alliance Event featuring networking and guest speakers.

Where:  Burrito House 9844 Dyer

Info:  NEBA2008@gmail.com   or 915-588—7283

Wednesday (4):

Thursday (5):

8:30  p.m. - 9:45 a.m.

BNI-Business Networking International- Networking starts at 8:15 a.m.  Join a professional group of local business superstars.  Make sure you have a one minute intro about yourself ready to share.

Where: Andale Restaurant

Cost:  Optional Breakfast cost

Friday (6):

11:30 am

Dynamic Women2Women networking luncheons- The Women’s Business Border Center of El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosts an informational series to provide small business owners with a forum to network, discuss business challenges, and celebrate success.  Admission $25, includes lunch and materials.  RSVP Relee Hernandez 566-4066 ext 31 at Jaxon’s 4799 N Mesa.

Business Resolutions for 2011

The 10 Best Business “New Year’s Resolutions” for a Successful 2011

With 2010 quickly coming to an end, I started thinking about New Year’s Resolutions and what business owners and entrepreneurs can resolve to do more of (or perhaps less of!) to be more successful in 2011.

In that spirit, I decided to call on my respected network of experts and entrepreneurs to find out their best pieces of “New Year’s Resolution” business advice. Their answers are presented below in no particular order.

You may notice some similar pieces of advice, but I kept the insights separate, as something in the way one is framed may resonate differently with you.

1. Don't Be Afraid to Reinvent!
Turn off the voice mail! In fact, if voice-mail is on during the day, you have not only failed your customers, but you've failed in that chance to make a good first impression. What does it cost to roll your phones over to a LIVE PERSON? The chance to succeed or fail. Not worth it you say? Try the experiment and see what a smile will bring you.
Thanks to: Warren Bobrow of Wild River Review.

2. Let Go of the Lookie- Loos
Getting for new sales is expensive. Fill your funnel with people that will actually buy from you. Have you been working on prospects that no longer return your phone calls or emails? Cut them from your hot list and put them back into your marketing funnel to be contacted at a much later date. Only call on prospects where you know: a) the pain you solve for them b) their budget and c) who can make the buy decision.
Thanks to: Barry Moltz of Shafran Moltz Group.

3. Mompreneur & Time Management
I run my business out of my house and I have 3 kids, so distractions are constant. My New Year’s Resolution advice is to manage time better so that I can get business tasks done during the day and be more productive in general. I often get caught up on the computer, running errands and procrastination and then find myself scrambling to get work done. I want to put in place a very strict schedule to increase work productivity.
Thanks to: Sheena Edwards of Lizzie Lou Shoes.

4. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!
Your best resolution for your business is to think small! And by that I mean to find where you can simplify your business and administrative processes. Find opportunities to make less truly mean more for you - more time, more strategic planning, more networking, more getting out and getting your business known, more life for you and your loved ones. Find what it is you are still doing that you don't need to be. SIMPLIFY! Make it your 2011 cheer and watch you AND your business benefit!
Thanks to: Cathleen O'Connor of The Balance Whisperer

5. Focus Your Time on Making $$
The number 1 area that you should improve in 2011 is to be wiser at how you spend your time. Stop doing busy work that does not generate income (checking email 25 times a day, playing on Twitter and Facebook) and focus your time on activities that generate income and growth for your company. This means delegating non-income producing work to other employees (or outsourced contractors) and focusing your time on activities that will grow your company--publicity, marketing, and sales.
Thanks to: Peter Geisheker of The Geisheker Group Marketing Firm

6. Work ON Not IN Your Business!
Every entrepreneur needs to focus attention on the big picture of the business in order to successfully grow. During difficult economic times, the urge to get back in the business rather than work on the business is powerful. But thriving businesses are sustained when the owner drives the direction of the business with a delicate hand that allows for flexibility and transformation. Start the New Year off with a new passion for growth!
Thanks to: Vicki Donlan of VickiDonlan.

7. Create a 1 Page Strategic Plan
Spend 20 minutes (no more!) planning your year using the One Page Strategic Plan and look at it every single day. Put the plan somewhere you have to physically touch it each day. One client of mine puts it on the toilet lid and calls it her "can plan".

That one sheet of paper will keep you focused on the important things and away from the distractions.

You can get a completely free copy (no registration necessary) at the website.
Thanks to: Laura Posey of Dancing Elephants Achievement Group.

8. Have to Get to Want To
Why did we all go into business for ourselves? To make more money, control our destiny and make our own decisions? Those are common answers however; most people have in mind a lot of other things such as travel, freedom and lifestyle. The business model that you use is the vehicle to many of the things that you want, but there is a necessary price or "Have To's” that religiously need to be committed to be successful. They are business basics, many of the things we push off that hold us back. Commit!
Thanks to: Alan Ginsberg of The Entrepreneur's Source.

9. Resolve Not - Smile More
It doesn't help to have resolutions when you are stressed over keeping them. Instead, resolve to take a walk when stressed at work, rather than playing computer games. A quick walk will help you smile and people will think you're on top of your game!

What you can resolve to do is, get back to people when you say you will; follow up with people when a project is due; always keep your boss informed as to your progress on projects by emailing him/her, every day or two. And always say Thank You!
Thanks to: Sheila G. McCurdy of clutter STOP.

10. Cut Your "To Do" List in Half
Each year, we get side-tracked with unimportant tasks that keep us from doing our job—generating revenue. I recommend you reach for a pad of yellow Post-It notes. On 10 labels, print your revenue target for 2011. Now stick them all over your work area. Every time you look at any of those labels, ask yourself, "Is what I’m doing now directly contributing to the achievement of this goal?" If the answer is “No,” stop what you’re doing and start doing something that will drive sales.
Thanks to: Bill Todd of Immediate Impact Sales Training .