Next week I’ll be traveling to Phoenix! I am super excited to present this interactive workshop presented by the Phoenix Business Journal!  This program is suited for both novice and seasoned networkers. You’ll leave the workshop with the networking skills you need to find jobs, win new clients and build your sphere of influence.

Apply strategies to go from “just a contact” to a person of influence with your connections

For more info, go to: http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/event/66581

That that is one of the elements to success we will be working on at the Networking 2.0 from Contacts to Contracts, an interactive workshop presented by the Phoenix Business Journal and led by me, Caterina Rando!  This program is suited for sales people in all industries, novice networkers and seasoned veterans who want to UP their game. You’ll leave the workshop with the networking skills you need to find the right job, recruit top employees, win those much needed new clients and even how to network to find new investors.

During this 3-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to be loud and proud about who you are and the value you bring, as well as how to:

• Introduce yourself in a way that captures people’s attention to immediately engage them
• Create rapport quickly and begin meaningful conversations
• Become a resource for referrals to keep your business on other people’s mind
• Develop a networking plan that meets your goals and objectives
• Utilize simple, fast flow up techniques that build relationship online and offline
• Apply strategies to go from “just a contact” to a person of influence with your connections

For more info, go to: http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/event/66581 The event is May 10^th, so if you are in Phoenix, jump on this one! Early bird is $110, ends May 3, 2012, then the price jumps to $162!

Date/Time:

April12th, 8:30am-12pm

Location:

California Museum

1020 O Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

To Register, go to: : http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/event/67671

During this 3-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to be loud and proud about who you are and the value you bring, as well as how to:

• Introduce yourself in a way that captures people’s attention to immediately engage them
• Create rapport quickly and begin meaningful conversations
• Become a resource for referrals to keep your business on other people’s mind
• Develop a networking plan that meets your goals and objectives
• Utilize simple, fast flow up techniques that build relationship online and offline
• Apply strategies to go from “just a contact” to a person of influence with your connections

For more info, contact Megan White at 916-558-7805 or mwhite@bizjournals.com

Have you been approached about becoming an affiliate for businesses promoting upcoming events or a new product launch? If they’re in line with your business you may be inclined to agree. Typically the arrangement is set up to pay you a commission for each sale, which is great!

While you can of course do both, remember, the key feature of an affiliate partnership is that it is transactional in nature. On the other hand, becoming a strategic partner is a long-term, relationship-based partnership. As we are concerned with longevity, systems and procedures, for long-term business development we recommend forming strategic partnerships or alliances. Following are some tips on making partnerships work for both parties.

Before entering into an alliance, do your homework. To start with, make a list of people who are working in your area of influence, those who have the same target market, but at different points in the line of contact. Start to build relationships with these people before you ask them to partner with you.

It’s very important that you set some clear goals and targets you want to meet when setting up your partnerships, such as percentages or dollar values for additional sales, revenues and customers. You must know where you’re headed before you start something as important as a strategic alliance.

Before you approach said connection, consider ways that you can add value to their service or product. This will be a key factor in getting them to say yes to your proposal. After all this is a business transaction, so bring something to the table.

Finally, make it easy for your partner to promote you – write the emails or blog posts for her. Create the ads, tracking system and PayPal (or similar) payment system so everything is almost automated. Also consider setting up a special  web page with all the necessary resources for the strategic partner so all her questions are answered and all the marketing materials are readily available for immediate use.

Just a few reminders for your consideration. Let us know if you have additional tips or stories to share about your strategic partnerships/alliance relationships.

I attribute my professional success as a business coach and professional speaker to the people that know me, like me and trust me — the people in my sphere of influence. These people are my friends, my clients, my vendors, members of groups I belong to, and anyone else I have ever met that I maintain contact with.  To learn more about how to create and maintain a large sphere of influence, read this helpful piece: http://www.attractclientswithease.com/articles/networkingknowhow.htm

Don’t Forget, Networking 2.0 – From Contacts to Contracts, presented by the Silicon Valley/ San Jose Business Journal takes place on Wednesday, March 21^st from 9am-12pm. For more information, and to register, visit: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/event/67091

Don’t forget to check out Make Your Connections Count. This valuable tool will help you turn your networking efforts into a business building machine. With this book, you can quickly rev up your networking know-how. Top experts in each of their specialties have joined together to give you proven, highly effective networking strategies. You’ll find everything you need to make your connections truly count and your business thrive. To order, visit : http://www.connectionscountbook.com/

During this 3-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to be loud and proud about who you are and the value you bring, as well as how to :

• Introduce yourself in a way that captures people’s attention to immediately engage them
• Create rapport quickly and begin meaningful conversations
• Become a resource for refferals to keep your business on other people’s mind
• Develop a networking plan that meets your goals and objectives
• Utilize simple, fast floow up techniques that build relationship online and offline
• Apply strategies to go from “just a contact” to a person of influence with your connections

Register now and take advantage of the early registration pricing! Details and registration available here:  http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/event/67091

For more info, contact Debra Robinson at 408-299-1816 or debrarobinson@bizjournals.com

As we enter 2012, we all are looking for new ways to connect that will result in new alliances, create new opportunities and allow us stand out in a crowded marketplace.  “Networking 2.0 from Contact to Contract” is a three-hour workshop and power networking experience that will surely give you the skills to do that. Coming up The Sacramento Business Journal, and the San Francisco Business Times are offering a one year subscription when you join us for this live interactive event.

I will teach you how to be loud and proud about who you are and the value you bring. We will cover creating rapport quickly, how to engage in meaningful conversations; how to be resource for others and build relationships online and offline. Whatever it is you are looking for clients, a job, capital for your business venture, this event is for you. You will learn how to turn contacts into contracts no matter where you come from in the business world.

In this program we will emphasize the difference between simply meeting people and actually creating influence with people. There is a big difference that people with influence know the difference. I will show you how to become a person of influence.  I have found with my 20 plus years of experience in helping people grow sustainable and profitable businesses that how we network with others is a vital part of how we develop the ability to easily add clients, get our calls returned and build a great reputation.

This is an incredible opportunity. Your investment includes: the interactive program where you will meet many of the people in the room, an autographed copy of my book, Make Your Connections Count, a year subscription to the business journal and the business journals Book of Lists.

Join me for Networking 2.0 in the Sacramento Area on January 31st.
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/event/ 62361#register or contact Ravi Bazar at (916) 558-7881, rbazaz@bizjournals.com

Join me for Networking 2.0 in San Francisco on February 8th
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/event/60831
or contact call Shane Dorrian at (415) 288-4973 or email sdorrian@bizjournals.com

Join me for Networking 2.0 in the East Bay on February 7th
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/event/60821
or contact call Shane Dorrian at (415) 288-4973 or email sdorrian@bizjournals.com