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Leaders among us
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by Michael Van der Gaag, President
 Once I became involved with the RPCN, it didn‘t take me long to realize that, for the organization to be successful, it requires more than vision, savvy officers or skilled committee heads. To produce even the smallest event requires the participation, zeal, energy and diligence of members who step up and take on responsibilities.
The “Social Media: Ready, Set, Go” conference held last year took a team of 12 to bring it all together. Most conference-team members were not on the board, nor were they members of committees. They were just professionals who wanted to see the event and the organization succeed.
This newsletter is another example. It is the fruit of the efforts of four dedicated and creative individuals who support each other and each of us. In addition to writing pieces of their own, they plan, edit, reformat and re-compose pieces that others contribute, assembling them all to become this most excellent publication.
By the time you read this, we will have had our presentation on what we learned from the Member Survey and the implications as you, the members, saw them, and we will have started to prioritize how the organization should proceed to further our agenda for member business development and membership growth.
Since that meeting likely won’t have included everyone, we need your input on prioritizing our group’s next actions. Click here to review the list of projects and prioritize your favorites.
An equally important question: Are you willing to step up to make these visions a reality? There is a place at the end of the survey to fill in your name and contact info if you are willing to work on any of your high-priority items.
Thank you for supporting RPCN and helping us grow to serve you better.
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Meet area tech leaders at first RPCN TrendTalk on Oct. 16
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RPCN’s first TrendTalk event, "Challenges and Opportunities in the Rochester High-Tech Sector," is coming up on Wednesday, October 16, beginning at 5 PM, at the Radisson Airport Hotel. Don’t miss this chance to hear from and interact with leaders in the high-tech sector, including solar energy and touch panel displays. Deadline for the best rate: September 30. The registration deadline is Thursday, October 10.
The panelists for the evening event are Charles Provini, president and CEO of Natcore Technology; Bob Kot, managing director of new ventures at High Tech Rochester; and Bill Pollock, CEO of Optimation and of Kingsbury Corporation. Beth Sears, president of Workplace Communication, Inc./Good Enough to Great Coaching, will serve as moderator.
The evening includes dinner (choice of London broil, lemon-pepper haddock or vegetable primavera) and tickets start at $30 for RPCN members when registering by Sept. 30. To register, click here.
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Sandy Zohari combines tech and art in two successful businesses
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By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter
RPCN members may recognize long-time member Sandy Zohari ’s name because of her database management business (AzoTek Database Solutions), but she also has a jewelry business. She applies much of what she’s learned from RPCN to both enterprises – one right-brain, one left-brain, with a shared focus on design. “When I do a database, I do design,” Zohari says. “It has to look good and be easy for people to use. The elements have to fit together as an entity.”
Zohari also applies her tech skills to her jewelry business. That may not be a consulting service, but “RPCN has been helpful regardless,” she says. The RPCN social media conference and a recent presentation on Pinterest were especially useful for marketing her jewelry.
For the full scoop on how Zohari got started, balances her two businesses, has benefited from RPCN resources and advises colleagues for success, click here.
Here is a video interview with Zohari.
RPCN member Ruth E. Thaler-Carter is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and proofreader. She can be reached at Ruth@writerruth.com.
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Making your business better
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Forums: The RPCN's monthly Business and Technical Forums give members and guests the opportunity to ask questions about your website, software, equipment, how to set your prices, building professional networks and other issues affecting your consulting business and plans. For the kinds of questions that get asked each month, click here.
Social media: Arthur Catalanello, VP with Harvey Research, Inc. and social media strategist for The August Group, presents "Social Media and the Job Search." This overview will detail the roles of LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Google+ in today's job search. The presentation is Tuesday, October 1, from 7-8:30 PM at the Penfield Public Library on Baird Road. There will be time for networking before and after, as well as Q&A after. Click here to register.
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Upcoming events
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Technical Forum
facilitated by Steve Royal
Friday, October 4, 2013
8:00 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 telephones.
Fraud Busting: Prevention and Detection for your Business
presented by Paula Randall
Friday, October 11, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Certified fraud investigator Paula Randall of Alliance4Accountability, LLC, will talk about fraud prevention and awareness for small businesses, non-profits and individuals. Here is a video introduction to her presentation:
TrendTalk: Challenges and Opportunities in the Rochester High-Tech Sector
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Radisson Airport Hotel
This new series of panel discussions on local business sectors kicks off with a discussion about the high-tech field, which is bustling in Rochester, including solar energy, battery technology, touch panel displays and biofuels. Come hear from and interact with three of the leaders making things happen locally in this sector. Discount ends Sept. 30. Registration deadline: Oct. 10.
Business Forum
facilitated by Bob Lurz
Friday, October 18, 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, October 18, 2013
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Pittsford Community Library
RPCN’s monthly board meeting begins at approximately 10:00 AM, after the Business Forum. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only board members may vote.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and Their Impact on Small Businesses
presented by Jane Ahrens
Friday, October 25, 2013
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Jane Ahrens of the Ahrens Benefits Company will talk about the NY State Health Insurance Exchange, including who qualifies to use it, who is obligated to use it, how it will work, what impact it will have on health insurance rates and much more. Here is a video introduction to her presentation:
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