|
Creating opportunity
|
|
by Brian A. Kane, President
RPCN wants to create more opportunities for members, so we will be inviting key regional business leaders to our Friday sessions. This initiative launches on March 8 with Sandy Parker, president & CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance, who will discuss key regional economic trends.
Sandy Parker is a leader in turning around the regional economy. One example of that leadership is the Rochester Community Coalition, which has obtained more equitable state funding for major local development projects. She knows business trendsetters and understands where we are headed. Sandy will help us understand where growth is occurring and how we can provide valuable assistance to local businesses.
RPCN is also creating opportunity by exploring more formal partnerships with SCORE, the Monroe County Library Small Business Division, High Tech Rochester and others. Thanks to RPCN Alliance Committee chair Bob Lurz and his team for building these relationships.
Expect more news about this in the next couple of months.
And if you have ideas for more ways that RPCN can create opportunity for you, let me know!
|
RPCN forums spur consultant
Charlie Hancock's success
|
by Chris Swingle
The Rochester Professional Consultants Network (RPCN) monthly question-answer forums on business and technical issues helped Charlie Hancock switch from a corporate job to a one-man firm in 1996 – and have kept him coming to RPCN programs.
“I may not have a question going in, but I’ll learn something,” says Hancock, an expert on medical device sterilization. “RPCN was a very substantial reason for my being successful.” Hancock appreciates hearing various perspectives at RPCN from people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. “That’s really valuable, and you can’t get it anywhere else,” he says.
Click here to read more about Hancock’s success. Click on the image to see Charlie's video.
|
Making your business better
|
Checklists: “Simple checklists can greatly improve the outcome of complex processes and procedures,” says executive advisor and RPCN member Judy Dobles in an article on her blog. Click here to read the full story.
Passion: “Don't Do It for the Money... ,” says architect and RPCN member Peter Morse in an article posted on the RPCN website. He tells of another architect who took his passion for the concertina and turned it into a business. “Love what you do first, and the rest will follow.”
Social media: Jill Hurst-Wahl talks about social media, blogging, and Twitter in a video interview for iSchool, through Syracuse University. She is currently an assistant professor of practice in the university's School of Information Studies.
|
by Ruth Balkin and Judy Shenouda
ATTN: RPCN members – Have you written a book that you would like to promote to the RPCN community? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please provide the name of the book, a brief description, and ordering information to Ruth Balkin or Judy Shenouda. Or send an email to Ruth Balkin at rbalkin@balkininfo.com. The Library Committee will take it from there! Also, if you would like to donate a copy of your book to our collection, just let us know.
RPCN members can borrow items from RPCN’s extensive library of business books and other materials. Click here to view a listing of materials in the library.
|
|
SEAP: Become a volunteer presenter to SEAP (Self Employment Assistance Program) and help dozens of people! SEAP is a state Labor Department program run by Rochester Works. It helps unemployed individuals who want to create their own business. For more than three years, RPCN has been instrumental in teaching SEAP participants what consulting is and what RPCN can do to help. By volunteering just one hour of your time, you can help dozens of people and spread the word about RPCN. For more information, contact RPCN Vice President Michael Van der Gaag at mrvandergaag@gmail.com.
SCORE: A five-part series of workshops – Simple Steps for Starting Your Business – begins on Saturday, March 2. You’ll learn the essential of business start-up, get action steps and receive one-on-one mentoring. The workshops will be held at the Rochester Business Alliance, 150 State Street, Rochester. For more information and to register, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
Technical Forum
facilitated by Steve Royal
Friday, February 1, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated round-table discussion of any technical issues that consultants encounter in running their business, including computers, the Internet, and telephones.
Perspectives on Retiring in Time: For yourself, your clients, your family, your legacy presented by Dr. Jack Best
Friday, February 8, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Jack Best will discuss retiring in time, insights about transition planning, monetizing your practice, and the second half of life.
Here is a video in which Jack describes his presentation.
Business Forum
facilitated by Mike Molaire
Friday, February 15, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated round-table discussion of any issues regarding the starting or running of a consulting business.
RPCN Board Meeting
Friday, February 15, 2013
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Pittsford Community Library
RPCN's monthly Board meeting begins at approximately 10:00 a.m. following the Business Forum. Everyone is welcome to attend but only board members may vote.
The Visual Presentation of Data
Presented by Vince Vezza
Friday, February 22, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Well-designed data graphics are the simplest and most powerful methods for analyzing and communicating data. This talk will give guidelines for graphical display of data.
Here is a video in which Vince describes his presentation.
|
|
