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Measuring our progress
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by Brian A. Kane, President
The RPCN board of directors wants to substantially increase RPCN's value to members and its overall brand. As an important step in achieving those goals, the board has adopted a strategic plan for the first time that is outcome-based and measurable.
This means we will be able to report on how successful RPCN is in helping members establish premier consulting businesses. While it has always been our hope that members prosper, we have never before used metrics to shape our decision-making and allocate our resources. All that is about to change!
We will be conducting twice-annual member surveys to gather data. We want to find out if RPCN members establish annual financial milestones and are achieving them. In September, we will launch a "Learn-from-the-best" program that will noticeably strengthen our professional development efforts. And we will improve the RPCN website so that its main purpose is to support this program.
These decisions by the board at its April meeting came after months of discussions by several committees and with many members. It would not have been possible without broad consultation. We're especially excited that this will help RPCN become a world-class organization that helps members build premier consulting businesses.
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RPCN has provided Beth Sears with knowledge and opportunities
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by Chris Swingle
Beth Sears had spent almost 30 years with General Motors as a facilitator and trainer before earning a doctorate in communication from State University of New York at Buffalo. She knew she could help people and organizations improve performance through good communication.
What she didn't know was how to start a business. She followed advice from Alan Weiss, author of Getting Started in Consulting and Million Dollar Consulting: "He told me to network," says Sears, who's based in Scottsville. "He said to get out and present everywhere."
Now president of Workplace Communication, Sears helps business leaders develop trusting cultures where employees can communicate openly and honestly. She found audiences and opportunities to meet more people through the Rochester Professional Consultants Network (RPCN). "I didn't join to look for work," says Sears. "I joined to look for knowledge. The learning was exceptional."
Click here to read more about lessons learned, potential opportunities and her advice to new consultants.
Watch a video interview with Beth Sears:
Chris Swingle, chrisswingle.com, is a freelance writer based in Rochester.
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Making your business better
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OACES Workshops: RPCN has teamed up with the Office of Adult and Career Education Services (OACES), a division of the Rochester City School District, to offer several workshops in May. These include:
These workshops take place at OACES, 30 Hart Street in Rochester, and space is limited, so register early. Registration can be done through the RPCN web site.
Social marketing: SCORE Rochester hosts a workshop on how to maximize the effectiveness of social marketing on Wednesday, May 8 from 8:45 AM-12:30 PM at the Rochester Business Alliance, 150 State Street. Click here for more information and to register.
New members
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RPCN welcomes three new members this month. Click on their names to view their profiles.
Al Mustardo
Kim Pandina
Lois Taubman
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Upcoming events
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Technical Forum
facilitated by Steve Royal
Friday, May 3, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
(Note change in location)
An informal, facilitated roundtable discussion of any technical issues that consultants encounter in running their businesses, including computers, the Internet and telephones.
Communication with Google
presented by Jerry Seward
Friday, May 10, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Google offers several free services to simplify your communications needs. Using their various email, messaging, teleconferencing and telephone services, you can save a great deal of money and communicate more effectively with your clients and colleagues. Here's a video introduction to the program.
Business Forum
facilitated by Brian Kane
Friday, May 17, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated roundtable discussion of issues regarding starting or running a consulting business.
RPCN Board Meeting
Friday, May 17, 2013
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Pittsford Community Library
RPCN's monthly board meeting begins at approximately 10:00 AM following the Business Forum. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only board members may vote.
How to Use Your Blog to Get Business
presented by Lynn Dessert
Friday, May 24, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Can blogging be an effective marketing tool? The answer is yes. Join Lynn Dessert, president of Leadership Breakthrough, to learn techniques, strategies and resources you can use to build your business using your blog. Here's a video introduction to the program.
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