Open Networking? What's that?

It isn't net-sit or net-eat - it's net-WORK: So spend some time getting to know the people you are networking with each week. Here are some great questions to make your open networking education and a lot more fun.


1. Who are your three best clients?

2. What is the most common misconception about your business?

3. What is your favorite part of your profession?

4. Do you have children, and if so how many? What are their ages and interests?

5. How did you find out about BNI and why did you decide to join?

6. Do you have any hobbies, interests, or sports you are involved in?

7. Are you a member of a professional association? If so, which one? What does it mean to you to be a member and what has it done for you?

8. What is the one job or client that sticks out in your mind and why?

9. How did your past experiences lead you to the profession you are in today?

10. If you had to start all over again, what would you do differently in your career?

Try using these the next few times you network - add them to your conversational repertoire - and if you really want to increase your effectiveness - create a profile of your referral sources and add the answers to these questions so you can better remember their details.

Room Full of Referrals - 2/15/2012

If you want to have more fun networking this year, be a lot more effective, help a lot more people, and get better results - this is the best program to participate in. The program is $79, and $59 if you register by Friday, February 10th.

Wednesday, February 15th:
9am - Noon: Referral Institute Ithaca's Room Full of Referrals:

Participants will all get to do a self-assessment on their own behavior style, followed by an interactive workshop where they will first learn how to identify the other behavior styles, better know their own dominant style, and then learn to adapt to be supportive and to honor the relationships of the other three styles.

Details and Registration information:

http://www.referralinstitute.com/franchise/program_details.php?F1=111&P1=74&P2=RS&fe=00686f2689

International Networking Week - Ithaca

The goal of International Networking Week® is to celebrate the key role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the world.  Simultaneous events will be held globally to celebrate International Networking Week.

International Networking Week® is an initiative of BNI®.

The purpose of International Networking Week® is to raise the profile of networking in the wider community, recognizing it as an essential tool for success in today’s business climate.

This week in Ithaca:
Tuesday, February 7th
7:15am - BNI Ithaca Thumbs Up Chapter, http://www.ithacathumbsup.com/

Noon to 1:30pm - 2012 Economic Summit, Lake Watch Inn, http://business.tompkinschamber.org/Events/details/2012-economic-summit

4:30pm - 6pm - Finger Lakes Entrepreneurs Forum (FLEF) - Gimme Coffee Roasting Facility, RSVP and details: http://flef.org/?event=february-fllef-meeting

Wednesday, February 8th
1pm - 2pm - 'Help! My Logo Sucks' webinar by Certified Networker Program graduate Julia Reich of Julia Reich Design. http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/resources/live-webinars/help-my-logo-sucks/ and http://www.juliareichdesign.com/


5pm-7pm - Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at the Finger Lakes Wine Center, http://business.tompkinschamber.org/Events/details/february-business-after-hours-at-the-finger-lakes-wine-center

Thursday, February 9th
7:30am - BNI Cayuga Lake Connections Chapter, http://bnineny.com/ny-rochester-bni---cayuga-lake-connections/

8:00am - BNI Summit Chapter, http://bnineny.com/ny-rochester-bni---summit/

5:30pm - 8pm - The SEEN Presents - Local Investing for Community Wealth - Sponsored by Certified Networker Greg Pitts of Natural Investments, http://www.facebook.com/events/222442571183114/ and Greg Pitts' website: http://naturalinvesting.com/about-ni/greg-pitts

Friday, February 10th
6pm - 10pm - Grand Opening and Open House of Studio West (516 W. State Street / 516 MLK, Ithaca, NY) - http://studiowestithaca.com/ Hosted by Certified Networkers Danielle Klock, Greg Kops, and Scott Hamilton!
6:30pm - Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at Studio West (516 W. State Street / 516 MLK, Ithaca, NY) - http://studiowestithaca.com/

NEXT WEEK:
Wednesday, February 15th:
9am - Noon: Referral Institute Ithaca's Room Full of Referrals:

Participants will all get to do a self-assessment on their own behavior style, followed by an interactive workshop where they will first learn how to identify the other behavior styles, better know their own dominant style, and then learn to adapt to be supportive and to honor the relationships of the other three styles.
http://www.referralinstitute.com/franchise/program_details.php?F1=111&P1=74&P2=RS&fe=00686f2689
If you want to have more fun networking this year, be a lot more effective, help a lot more people, and get better results - this is the best program to participate in. The program is $79, and $59 if you register by Friday, February 10th.

Welcome Natasha!

Arjan and I welcomed Natasha Rose Makar on Thursday, February 2nd, at 11:04pm EST. She was 8 lbs., 10 oz. and 19 3/4 inches long. Mom and Natasha are doing great.

We are VERY excited to welcome her to our community and thank you for your support this year.

Chamber Key Person Award

On Thursday evening, January 26th the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce honored me by naming me the Key Person of the year. This is a thank you award presented by the Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Chamber President.

Here's what the plaque shows:

Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce

2011

Key Person of the Year

Presented to

David Makar

The Referral Institute of Ithaca

This award is presented to David Makar in recognition of your leadership of the Ambassadors Council, and exemplary networking skills, which have brought many new members to the Chamber, and have helped many Chamber members achieve success in their enterprises.

Presented by the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce

January 26, 2012

It is truly and honor to be recognized in my community and they allowed me to say a few words on Thursday evening at the chamber's annual dinner and meeting (in front of about 300 people). 

I asked participants and graduates of the Certified Networker Program to join me on stage to accept the award with me. Their support and success allowed me to give my time and energy to helping the Chamber. I was honored to have them on stage with me. Thank you to Ross Feldman (Wholistic Wealth), Greg Kops (Think Topography), Scott Hamilton (The SEEN / Green Resource Hub / Sustainable Tompkins), Ewan Barr (Mathnasium of Ithaca), Kathy Nelson (K. Nelson Research), and Dale Johnson (Hospicare) for joining me on stage.

My desire to help the chamber in 2011 was truly rooted in knowing that Rob LaHood (Membership and Events Director), Jean McPheeters (President of the Chamber), and Cathy Haupert (the 2011 Chair of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce) make it so easy to want to give back to the chamber. Their efforts and belief in the community - both for profits and non-profits - helped me want to volunteer and give back.

I also want to thank David Hall and Mary Beth Bunge who were very supportive in their board roles with the small business council and the membership committee. Their leadership made a big difference in getting me out of my office cave this year to help a lot more people.

The membership drive team that was Dan Governanti (Kendal at Ithaca) and Ron Provus (Ithaca Rotary and the Country Club of Ithaca) and myself also made a major contribution to introducing the chamber to a whole new group of business owners and organizations. Working with Dan and Ron opened my eyes to a whole different way to speak about the values and benefits of the chamber.

My desire to serve was strongly rooted in my parents life long service to their community. My dad joined the Lions Club of Berlin Massachusetts in October of 1976 - the same month I was born. His continued giving and service helped me to want to do my best to do the same.

We have a philosophy in the Referral Institute. The philosophy is Givers Gain. It is part of the mindset of successful referral marketing. It is this philosophy that helped me want and be so dedicated to the chamber.

I know the 2012 Key Person of the Year is out there living and working and participating in the chamber. I look forward to seeing you be successful in your networking and giving activities. See you at the next business after hours, networking at noon, chamber committee, or chamber workshop!

Tompkins Chamber 2012

There are a bunch of great Chamber Events coming up this month!

Business After Hours: Found (227 Cherry St., Ithaca); January 11th, 5pm-7pm (Wednesday)

Networking @ Noon: Joe's Restaurant (602 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca): January 19th, Noon-1:30pm (Thursday)

Chamber Annual Dinner: Emerson Suites at Ithaca College (Danby Rd./Rt. 96B): January 26th, 5:30pm - 9pm (Thursday)

Details: http://www.tompkinschamber.org or 607-273-7080

Too busy to improve

"My business is keeping me very busy, why should I learn how to get more business by referral?"

Once in a while one of my clients tells me they come across this statement. Often it is from someone where there is a one-way referral relationship. Someone that they'd like to cultivate into a stronger referral partner. Here are some thoughts:
1. I know you are really busy working in your business. Spending some time with Dave will help you work on your business. Dave truly helps business owners work less, make more, and play more. If you would like to play more - Dave's knowledge and trainings can help you. Even if your 'play more' is volunteer time, public service, or just spending more time with family or friends - you'll need to learn how to work smarter, not harder. Dave can help you do that.
2. I know you are busy because of me. I have been referring business to you and you've had a hard time referring people back to me. Dave's class will help both of us speak the same language of referrals - so we can both be properly busy with the right kinds of clients. I want to make it as easy as possible for your to be able to help me.
3. I know you are a giver. Working with Dave will help you give better referrals to other service providers. Working with Dave will also make it easier to give your clients more support and service - so they can have a happier, healthier, less stressful, more fulfilled life - because you recommended and referred them to someone else that you personally know, like, and trust.

Work Less; Give More; Live a better life while helping others live better too.