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New ways to get involved
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by Michael Van der Gaag, President
 At the RPCN picnic in August, we were talking about the activities we are planning for this year and the hope we have for growing the organization, not just in numbers, but also in its relevance to members’ businesses and support of your success. Here are some of the things we have planned with that in mind.
Our new TrendTalk series is shaping up quite nicely to be an opportunity to look to future challenges and opportunities in various business sectors. The first one, on the high-tech industry, is planned for the evening of October 16 and looks to be a great chance to network, not just with RPCN colleagues and alumni, but with members of the business community as well. Each event offers sponsorship opportunities to get your brand out there in front of the public. (We have eight sponsors and are past the sponsorship deadline for the October event. Watch the newsletter for the chance to sponsor February’s health care sector event.) These panel discussion dinner gatherings will be well-publicized and sponsors’ logos will be prominently displayed in promotional materials before and during the program.
We also have had a conversation about expanding our offerings of evening events that would make it more convenient for some of you to participate. For instance, would a more informal Fifth Thursday Evening Networking Event appeal to you? We would charge a nominal $5 to $7 to cover tapas and drinks.
As you may guess, we have learned quite a bit from the June Member Survey. We plan to share the results with you at a special presentation meeting on September 27. Effectively using the findings to help RPCN grow and serve members better will require your involvement and your support. Come help us identify the survey’s implications for the RPCN and to prioritize our response through future events and programs. (Since we will be focusing on the RPCN, there will be no charge for this meeting at Brighton Town Hall.)
Oh, by the way … we will initiate new online discussions (on Facebook, LinkedIn and the RPCN website) to collect your thoughts and suggestions on these and a variety of other RPCN topics. What’s your favorite platform? Tell us by clicking on this one-question poll.
See you at our next Friday meeting. I especially look forward to the meeting on September 27. Get involved!
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Explore survey results and next steps at Sept. 27 meeting
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by Lori Cohen
Did you know that 56% of our members set financial goals for their businesses and that 48% have reached their goals? These are just two of the facts that we learned from the Strategic Performance Survey that the RPCN conducted in June. We want to thank members who took part and provided excellent comments, suggestions and feedback. Below are more highlights from the survey, which had a gratifying response rate of more than 80%.
Members’ experience
- 80% have > 10 years’ experience in their fields.
- 50% have > 5 years’ consulting experience.
- 75% of our members have > 2 years of experience in consulting.
- 54% of our members have a certification in their field of expertise.
Members’ businesses
- Almost 70% of our members have clients outside our local area.
- 70% of our members rely on repeat customers for at least 25% of their business.
- < 20% get the majority of their business from repeat customers.
- < 20% get the majority of their business from referrals.
What members said about the RPCN
- Networking and learning about consulting combined account for about 60% of the reasons for joining the RPCN.
- 67% of our members report that the RPCN meets their expectations.
How do you interpret these results and what are the implications for the RPCN? Come join us on September 27 to explore the details and help identify the next steps we should take.
Lori Cohen was a member of the RPCN survey team.
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Solving computer challenges with skills and a sense of humor
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by Chris Swingle
Barbara Moore found herself with the right skills at the right time to create a successful computer training and troubleshooting business in 1996.
Trained as a librarian specializing in information technology, she had been in charge of automating 30 public libraries for Monroe County Library Services in the 1980s. Then, into the 1990s, she worked as assistant director of libraries for automation at the University of Rochester, where she was a key player in developing the university’s first website. At that time, the Internet was becoming easier to use, and more people wanted to learn how. The library trained faculty and staff.
“I realized then there would be a good demand, and I realized how much I enjoyed training,” says Moore.
Click here to read how she got past her fears, how her women’s rights advocacy played a role and what tip she still uses from an RPCN conference in 2004.
Click here for a video excerpt.
Chris Swingle, chrisswingle.com, is a freelance writer and chairs RPCN’s Communication Committee.
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MCC Workforce Development opportunity to train
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Several RPCN members have submitted proposals to create and teach training programs through Monroe Community College (MCC) Workforce Development Programs. This opportunity is still open. Click here for the current course listings.
To submit what you could offer, provide the program title, outline, description, number of sessions and hours; what participants will be able to do as a result of completing the program; and your name, e-mail address and phone.
Send it to Charles Caples, program director of MCC Workforce Development, ccaples@monroecc.edu, and copy it to Michael Van der Gaag, RPCN president, mvan@beyondtheinterface.com, and to Bob Lurz, RPCN Alliances chair, RFLurz@ConsultantsAccelerator.com.
If Charles Caples is interested, he will contact you to negotiate fees and dates.
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Making your business better
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Perfectionism: Are you a perfectionist? According to Beth Sears, "High standards are a good thing, along with doing your best and striving for excellence. Perfectionism, however, involves setting standards so high they are unattainable." Read her article Perfectionism Can Undermine Productivity on herRochester.com.
LinkedIn Tips: Avoid LinkedIn's auto-invite, instead send individual personal invites. That's one tip Emily Carpenter gives in her blog post 9 Tips to Get Your LinkedIn Invites Accepted.
Freelancing conference: RPCN members are eligible for the colleague's discount on registration for the Sept. 27-28 Communication Central conference in Rochester - "Be a Better Freelancer: Marketing Magic and More for Your Business" - designed for freelance writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, graphic artists, photographers and other business owners.
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RPCN forums provide insights
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By Steve Royal and Ruth E. Thaler-Carter
Every month, RPCN offers both a Business Forum and a Technical Forum to give members and aspiring consultants the opportunity to ask questions about issues affecting their consulting businesses and plans. Attendees contribute answers. Moderated by long-time RPCN members, the forums are invaluable resources for answers on a wide range of general and specific topics.
Among the topics that came up at the August 2013 Business Forum:
- How do I know what and how to charge for my services?
- How can I get more business from RPCN members?
- How can I deal with many leads in a short time?
- How do I build professional networks?
- How do I market my business of assisting high-potential employees?
Topics that came up at the RPCN Technical Forum in August included:
- How can my web camera really do all the things it claims on the box?
- Should I buy a netbook or a Google Chromebook?
- Why are some e-mails I send out being blocked by Gmail?
- What phone apps are best for my business?
- Why is a file transferred with my FTP program not found on the Internet?
- How can I keep track of my passwords?
- Can I record over-the-air television programs without cost?
- As a consultant, are there any software discounts available?
Forum topics can always be found on the RPCN website.
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Upcoming events
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Technical Forum
Facilitated by Steve Royal
Friday, Sept. 6, 2013
8 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated roundtable discussion of any technical issues that consultants encounter in running their businesses, including computers, the Internet and phones.
How Consultants Make Money
Presented by Mary Anne Shew
Friday, Sept. 13, 2013
8 AM - 10:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Most consultants either have (or know they need) some sort of strategic plan that outlines vision, goals and objectives. They also usually have processes in place to organize the work and produce the output. But what they don’t know is exactly how the various pieces of their businesses work together to actually earn money – a blueprint of the working pieces. This presentation outlines a simple model that can be used by consultants to get a grip on revenue and expenses, assess opportunities and coordinate growth. Note: This program will end at 10:30 AM.
Here is a video introduction to her presentation:
Business Forum
Facilitated by Bob Lurz
Friday, Sept. 20, 2013
8 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, Sept. 20, 2013
10 AM – 12 PM
Pittsford Community Library
RPCN’s monthly board meeting begins at approximately 10 AM, following the Business Forum. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only board members may vote.
Reservation deadline
Friday, Sept. 20, 2013
Friendly reminder: Sept. 20 is the last chance to save $10 on the registration for TrendTalk: Challenges and Opportunities in the Rochester High-Tech Sector. Click here for event information and registration.
RPCN Survey Results
Presented by Michael Van der Gaag and Lori Cohen
Friday, Sept. 27, 2013
8 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Mike and Lori will review the results of the recent survey of RPCN members and collect input on how to use this information to help RPCN better help its members.
Here is an introductory video of their presentation:
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3D printing: Digital Rochester hosts a presentation about 3D printing with Dr. Denis Cormier of RIT, who will provide an overview of 3D printing (additive manufacturing), followed by a panel discussion. Panelists will share their thoughts on current and emerging applications, opportunities for our community, and hopes and challenges for the future. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, 7:30 AM, HSBC Auditorium. Click here for details and to register.
Sales: Do you need to improve your selling skills so you can “get the sale”? SCORE Rochester presents Selling Skills for a Small Business, designed to help small business owners become more effective selling their products and/or services. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, 8:45 AM, Federal Building, 100 State Street, Rochester. Click here for details and to register.
Batting practice: High-tech startup entrepreneurs can refine a concept or practice an investor or sales presentation at the High Tech Rochester Batting Cage. Free to all area entrepreneurs, the feedback you'll receive is priceless. Sign up for an initial 90-minute time slot. The panel of coaches will typically include HTR's managing director of new ventures, technology commercialization managers and other experienced staffers and consultants. The program runs throughout the month of September. Click here for more information.
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