The Timesaver

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WHAT: “Business Experts on Demand”—the founders of the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Under the Looking Glass, 1st Podcast Publishing, sam101.com, and HINZtime Virtual Assistance—have partnered together to give an introductory virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer for the staff of women’s business centers (WBCs). The event will combine a 1-hour live power discussion in an online conference room with a 24-hour networking session conducted on an email listserv to accommodate busy schedules.

WBCs will now have a virtual bridge that connects them. As a participant in the virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer, they will:
•Learn how they can give their clients/members access to the clients/members of other WBCs via the Internet.
•Identify key eBusiness topics they should focus on to help their clients/members effectively set up shop online.
•Network with staff leaders of other WBCs to discuss how they can support one another.
•Discuss how to make their site more prominent online to attract more clients/members.
•Brainstorm and discuss issues affecting their WBC.
•Discuss in-kind contributions donated by the “Business Experts on Demand.”

WHEN: Tuesday, October 24 starting at Noon Eastern OR Wednesday, October 25 starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern (Noon Pacific). Select the date that accommodates your schedule or attend both days.

WHERE: Online. The webconference room is equipped with text and audio capabilities. If you have a mic you can vocally interact with others in attendance. You will receive instructions after you register by emailing jerrilynnbthomas@ivwcc.org. Include your name, title, and location in the RSVP.

WHO: The virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer will be led by “Business Experts on Demand” Jerrilynn B. Thomas, CEO of the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer Large, founder of Under the Looking Glass; Penny Haynes, founder of 1st Podcasting Publishing; Diane Carter, founder of sam101.com; and Glenda Hinz, founder of HINZtime Virtual Assistance.

Virtual Brown Bag Lunch & eMixer Overview • How to help your clients/members utilize online networking to expand their marketing reach.
•How to create an online radio show to keep your clients/members updated while growing your WBC’s revenue.
•How to brand your WBC and create e-books to generate a new income stream.
•How to teach your clients/members to effectively sell online.
•How to introduce virtual outsourcing to your clients/members to help them focus on their revenue generating activities.

REGISTRATION: There is no cost to participate in the introductory virtual brown bag lunch and eMixer. You have the option to attend the event on both dates. RSVP is required to jerrilynnbthomas@ivwcc.org. Include your name, title, and location in the RSVP.

More about business from BIG Mike McDaniel

It goes by many names but what it does is introduce what you do and who you do it for in an opening conversation (supposedly in an elevator on the way down). Imagine an introduction to a stranger and being asked “What do you do?”

Are you ready? Can you answer with aplomb and confidence in a manner designed (on purpose) to titillate the asker while explaining the benefits you and your company can and do provide.

What is said in those opening 13 words can set the stage for future business relationships, or close the curtain completely. If the answer is all about you and not about them, the conversation will stop there.

Can you imagine a stranger listening to you say “I am the number one salesman in the number one Honda Dealer in the southern district. I have sold more cars than anyone else, what do you drive?” and saying “Oh? Tell me more!” More what, me me me? It won’t happen. That’s not an elevator speech, it’s a testimonial by and about you.

Here’s an exercise: Make a list of 10 people you know, not in your office or business. Tell each of them you just read an article about Elevator Speeches and ask if they would share their elevator speech with you.

At least one will say “whaa?” Several will say they don’t have one (and try to look like they know what you’re talking about).

A few more will make one up on the spot, with lots of hims and haws. No more than two will have a bona fide elevator speech memorized and ready for presentation, and probably only one will feature benefits.

If you make the sample bigger, the results will be the same. Only one in ten will know the value of an elevator and have a working/winning one ready to go.

When you get your elevator speech perfected and tested, you will be at least 90% ahead of the pack in terms of new acquaintances and new business development.

And it makes no difference what your business.

To learn more about how to craft a winning elevator speech visit http://tinyurl.com/lzcyl

©2006 BIG Mike McDaniel, All Rights Reserved
http://BIGIdeasGroup.com

BIG Mike is a Business Consultant and Professional Speaker. His BIG Ideas Group helps business grow with promotions, special reports, mastermind groups, seminars and consulting. Subscribe to “BIG Ideas for Small Business” Newsletter: Mailto:SignUp@BigIdeasGroup.com