Business Networking Works…

When I started our website design company over four years ago, the concept of networking meetings was something quite new to me. When the first networking group contacted me and invited me out to a lunch meeting, I actually turned them down. Thankfully, they were persistent and after a few weeks I attended my first meeting. I joined my first networking club.

I had a tough time understanding how meeting the same dozen people every week would bring me new business. The focus of the network referral club was to bring leads to other members. It worked fairly well in terms of my business, most of the referrals received were actual club members.  I really appreciate these early clients.

As our business grew, and as our website began generating more and more leads, my attendance at networking meetings declined. I no longer attend a regular weekly lunch meeting. Having said that, the early start we got through networking continues to pay off today. I gained a lot of new clients in the earlier years through these clubs. The relationships that were fostered continue to work for us. I consistently receive new business leads from the neworkers that I met years ago.

Great Leadership = Great Growth

The Calgary Entrepreneur Meetup is one of the greatest opportunities for business to business networking in Calgary today.  Stuart Crawford is the founder and current chair of this meetup. Stuart’s passion for the community is stronger today than ever before. His approach to giving prior to getting is admirable.

When do they meetup?

The Calgary Entrepreneur Meetup currently gets together formally one time per month. We have plans to increase this to include more frequent meetings including breakfast and lunch meetings. While the current meetings are held in the evenings, the odd alternative time will likely bring more members out. At last count there were over 500 members in the group – making this one of Calgary’s largest networking group.

What is it going to cost you?

The fact that the meetup is run 100% by volunteers is admirable.  The token fee of $5.00 per meeting is taken on a drop-in basis. There is no annual membership fees.

What will you experience at a meetup?

You will meet like minded entrepreneurs. Many of us own our own successful businesses. Some will be in the start-up phase. Some will be representing larger organizations. One thing that is common, we all come out to learn from each others experiences.

Where to you network for your business? Visit the Calgary Entrepreneur site today.

Tell me your thoughts on this… I would love to see your comment added below.

Cheers -
David A. West

2008 Calgary Extreme Office Technology Makeover

ekzact Solutions is pleased to be participating as a technology sponsor the the 2008 Calgary Extreme Office Technology Makeover. Organized by Stuart Crawford of IT Matters, Calgary’s leader in technology consulting and services, the Technology Makeover event is launching on Friday to correlate with the start of “Small Business Week” in Calgary.

“IT Matters would like to announce the launch of our 2008 Calgary Extreme Office Technology Makeover contest. This event will see one lucky Calgary Small Business win $50,000 in new technology and support from IT Matters and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. This contest is open to all small businesses throughout the city of Calgary who feel it is time for a change on how they use technology inside their business.”

With great sponsorship from:

DELL Canada
Microsoft Canada
SonicWALL
Acronis
Kapsersky Lab
itControl Suite
APC
Research in Motion
Syspine
eKzact Solutions
Clearpath SEO
Abcan Audio Visual and
many more great sponsors

The winning Calgary small business will have the ultimate small business computer network and business solution to drive them forward in 2009.

Solutions ranging from:

Windows Small Business Server 2008 (officially to be launched Nov 12, 2008)
Windows Vista
Office Professional 2007
Blackberry
DELL Vostro Workstations
DELL PowerEdge Servers
Syspine Response Point Telephone Systems
Internet Security and Spam Filtering technologies
Website Overhaul and Search Engine Optimization package

The Extreme Office Technology Makeover contest will bring one lucky Calgary Small Business into the modern era of technology. Flyers are available today. For complete rules and to enter, visit our website at http://www.extremetechmakeover.ca

Watch our blog or subscribe to updates to learn more about this topic.

I’ll see you at the Chamber on Friday!

Cheers -
David A. West

Stuart Crawford, a good friend of mine and someone I look to as a mentor in business, released his free eBook “Connecting the Dots to Business Success in Today’s IT Business”.  While the booklet was written for IT Professionals, it can really be used by anyone.

Stuart talks at length about the rapidly changed IT industry. He talks about customers and the role of a service provider. You need to understand where the market is today, and this is what the eBook is about. It is about “Connecting the Dots” today, so you can be successful right NOW!

Stuart wrote “Why is this book free?  …I am not charging anyone for this eBook, it is completely free.  Life is about helping others and providing assistance to our colleagues in the marketplace.  Life is about giving back to the community.  So pick up your eBook today!”

I enjoyed reading Stuart’s report and found many parallel’s between his thoughts on the IT Business and our business of website design and development.  Thank you Stuart, for sharing your thoughts and advice.

Get your free copy here – http://blog.itsuccessmentor.com/connect-the-dots

Hey – why not get Skype now and give me a call?

Cheers -
David A. West