“The Five Most Powerful Things You Can Do to Grow Your Business in 2010”

7 04 2010

FINE Business Networking meets on April 15th, 9AM, at the Westport Country Playhouse. Certified Business Coach Josh Slavitt is going to present:  “The Five Most Powerful Things You Can Do to Grow Your Business in 2010.”

Josh (joshslavitt@actioncoachnow.net) has had a highly successful 25-year business career. At the Philip Morris family of companies, which included Kraft and Miller Brewing, he created and implemented programs that netted more than $600 million in savings. Josh also selected and supervised more than 130 employees and consulting firms. In addition, Josh worked on Corporate Social Responsibility campaigns for a number of multi-national corporations including: Diageo, Darden, General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, Western Union and Mercedes Benz.  Visit the ActionCOACH of CT website at http://www.actioncoachnow.com.

The doors open at 9AM with the opportunity to network, followed by a welcome and each attendee giving their “30 second elevator pitch”. This is followed by the presentation and then additional time to network. The meeting concludes by 11AM. 

FINE is a networking group for small business owners, entrepreneurs, independent professionals, consultants and those in transition from the corporate world who are considering going out on their own. FINE provides a forum to meet people, exchange ideas and grow your business. Meetings are held in either the Westport Library or Westport Country Playhouse and are open to the public. A small donation (five dollars) is requested to cover expenses. For more information, contact Ed Fitzgerald, via email at ed.fitzgerald@coldwellbankermoves.com, go to www.finenetworking.org or call 203-227-8424.


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Franchising at FINE

18 03 2010

If you are thinking of buying a franchise, you’ve got to talk to Luc Deslauriers, owner of FranNet CT (http://www.frannet.com/ldeslauriers). He shared his years of franchise business ownership experience at the March 18th meeting in a clear and concise manner.  He can help you go through the steps of what you need to consider to see if franchising is right for you and if so, which franchise(s) to consider.   He can be reached at lucd@frannet.com.

We liked using the ‘barn” (the Lucille Lortel White Barn Center) at the Playhouse and will consider it for future meetings, otherwise we will be in the Smilow Lounge on the second floor. The Playhouse will be our home for the remainder of the year.   


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FINE will meet as scheduled on Thursday, 3/18

16 03 2010

I confirmed with the Playhouse that all is well there. They had minimal storm damage. So our meeting will take place as scheduled.

Ed.


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“An Introduction to Franchise and Business Ownership” – March 18th FINE Meeting

4 03 2010

Have you ever thought about owning a franchise? Thinking about going out on your own and wondering which type of business ownership would work best for you?

If you’re not sure of the costs involved, if the timing is right, if you’re cut out for it, what business makes sense and if it is safe, then come to the FINE Business Networking meeting on March 18th, 9AM, at the Westport Country Playhouse. Luc Deslauriers, owner of FranNet CT (www.frannet.com), will share his years of franchise business ownership experience in this informative seminar.

Topics will include:
• How to identify franchise business choices that best fit your skill set, needs, and goals
• Why consider business ownership now
• Growth trends and choices in franchise ownership that offer stability and success in weak and strong economies
• Safely and affordably transitioning from employment into business ownership
• Costly mistakes to avoid
• Advantages of buying a franchise vs. other businesses
• What franchises cost and how to finance the purchase

The doors open at 9AM with the opportunity to network, followed by a welcome at 9:15 and each attendee giving their “30 second elevator pitch” as an introduction. This is followed by the presentation and then additional time to network. The meeting concludes by 11AM.

There will be coffee at the meeting! Thanks to Elizabeth Brown, CPA, Tracy Boyce, FSPO and Bette Lynn Paez, MBA, CFP™ who are conducting  a “Keys to Financial Well-Being” seminar on March 20th. For more info. 

Note we will be meeting in different place at the Playhouse, the Lucille Lortel White Barn which is a building next to the Playhouse to the left of the main entrance where we usually enter.


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John Carroll did it with style!

19 02 2010

It was our second largest turnout at a FINE meeting, on Feb. 18th 47 attendees listened to John Carroll (www.JohnCarrollInternational.com) talk about style. We went through an exercise to identify our own style. It was fun, interactive and insightful. We ranked our characteristics and then scored the results using the DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Compliance) method. We then learned more about our style and how to interact with others who have different styles.

Here are a few of the comments taken off of the MeetUp site –

“Well organized and attended. Good information presented by speaker.” 

“The meeting was very interesting. The group was well diversified and the people were very nice. Good presenter.”

“John Carroll was an EXCELLENT speaker. Great topic. Well presented. Thanks.” 

A big thanks to our coffee sponsors for the meeting, Arty and Rosann Levy of the Roart Group.  Here’s a brief overview of what they offer and how to get in touch with them.    

The Roart Group LLC, “Your Link To Financial Success”, an accounting, tax and business consulting firm for small and family businesses is now able to provide financing for restaurants and other retail businesses. We offer funding when traditional lending institutions will not. There is no fixed time or schedule of repayment and no fixed interest. No personal guarantees are required and funding is available much more quickly with a fraction of the paperwork. We believe small businesses need money to survive and grow. If you are a restaurant or retail business owner email arthur@theroartgroup.com for further information. 

Check our website www.theroartgroup.com for more information and learn how you can grow a more profitable business.


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Job Openings – A new blog category

4 02 2010

We’ve been contacted a couple of times in the past few weeks about job openings. So we decided to post them here on the blog for those who may be in transition and looking, might know someone who would be interested or be interested yourself. 

Territory Sales Manager, AdmorEyes LLC:

“Over the next couple of months, we will be hiring  Territory Sales Managers throughout CT.  Prior sales experience is desired.  We are currently interviewing to fill these positions, send resumes to  victoriaahughes@aol.com“

AdmorEyes LLC, Connecticut’s Small Business Directory provides advertising, marketing and networking tools which help small businesses get exposure, recognition, and connections throughout Connecticut via a printed directory, events, and introductions. Victoria Hughes, AdmorEyes, LLC

US Census:

The U.S. Census is actively recruiting temporary part time staff in our area of Fairfield County.  The work may last a few months and the pay for enumerators is around $22 an hour.  Anyone eighteen years of age and older, having a social security number and able to provide positive identification is invited to sit for a test.  Those passing the test may be called on for temporary employment depending on the needs of the Census Bureau in the community the applicant lives in. 

The telephone number to call in order to find the next test site is:  1-866-861-2010. I thank you in advance for any consideration you might be able to offer. More info at the US Census Job Site.

With kind regards, John Prenderville


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“A Matter of Style” – February 18th Meeting Topic

2 02 2010

John Carroll, business consultant, professional speaker and former human resources executive will draw upon his diverse experience to help you identify your own ”imprinted” style and share ways to effectively use that knowledge when communicating for maximum effectiveness with others. 

Individuals, at birth, are “wired at the factory” to be different.  Behavioral and communication styles further develop as a result of upbringing, parents, education, etc.  By adulthood all of us have an established style with our communications and behavior with other adults.  When you understand your own unique style and that of others then you can adapt yours to fit the situation …. whether it be working with someone in your office or business, cold calling, closing a sale, or making a product or service presentation.

Don’t miss this entertaining, useful and memorable presentation.  You can learn more about John at www.JohnCarrollInternational.com.


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John Carroll to speak at the Feb. 18th meeting

28 01 2010

John Carroll of  John Carroll International will be our speaker. As an organizational effectiveness and performance management consultant, John has been helping large and small businesses with people issues, leadership development, rewards, succession planning, recruitment and interviewing, customer relations, sales training, communications and interpersonal styles.  Clients have included software and systems, health care, telephone, consumer goods, retail, insurance, architectural services, banking, transportation, publishing, document management services, and marketing services.

The topic of John’s talk is yet to be decided. As soon as it is it will be posted here. Subscribe to the blog you will be automatically notified. You can find out more about John at www.johncarrollinternational.com.


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It was a full house for Randi Hutton!

28 01 2010

It was a full house (including at least 15 newcomers) for Randi Hutton’s Presentation, ”Gain Time, Feel Less Stressed, Be More Successful in Achieving Your New Year Resolutions”.

Randi summarized her talk by saying, “If you want to open yourself up for feeling better, being more productive and finding your success, you need to look at the way you have been operating and make appropriate changes. Write your goals down (away from your home or office) and use your calendar/time map to help direct you in consistent daily actions. Get the cluttered unfocused monkey off your back and you will open yourself up to all sorts of wonderful opportunities!”

If you need someone to help you organize your personal and/or business lives, you can reach Randi at randi@therzconnection.com or 203.451.3455. She has generously offered a discount on the first session to members of FINE and anyone who was at the presentation.


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“Gain Time, Feel Less Stressed, Be More Successful in Achieving Your New Year Resolutions”

3 01 2010

Need help with those New Year’s resolutions? Looking to make some changes in 2010? Come to the January 21st FINE Business Networking meeting, 9AM, at the Westport Country Playhouse.  

Randi Hutton, the founder of the RZ Connection, a professional organizing and move management company, will talk about how clutter in many forms can affect you achieving your business and personal goals.

She will help you realize that you can achieve your goals, simplify your life, feel less stress and become more productive by getting organized. Whether you are in the midst of a career, business or other life transition, selling a home in a challenging market, helping a senior parent or just blocked in reaching your goals, she will discuss…. 

  • How not to feel overwhelmed
  • Why you are holding onto things and how to let them go
  • Why everyone needs a home office and how to set one up in any space …. And more.

If you have any specific questions you’d like to make sure are answered during the presentation, please submit ahead of time to randi@therzconnection.com.


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