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Imaging expert brings international flavor, local angle to RPCN
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By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter
 As an expert in the imaging arena, Peter D. Burns combines a uniquely Rochester business focus with an international flair as a native of England. His consulting business, Burns Digital Imaging LLC, helps clients develop and improve their imaging products or services.
Burns worked for Xerox, Kodak and Carestream Health before going into consulting. “I have always been involved with the development and evaluation of imaging products and services,” he said. He was able to launch his consulting business on a firm basis after being laid off at Carestream two years ago because “I had been doing consulting for museums for about 10 years while working in-house,” he said. He also had worked in environments similar to a consulting business. “With applied science and engineering, experienced people often lead small teams and contribute as individual,” he explained. “This is similar to the type of consulting I currently do.”
Although he calls himself a “natural introvert,” Burns does what it takes to build up his business, including networking through RPCN. He has become a familiar face at RPCN events, handing out nametags and greeting participants. “For me, it is important to make personal connections in both the larger – national and international – imaging field and the local business communities,” he said.
Read the full story to find out why he came to Rochester, how he connects with clients and how RPCN has helped him with running his business. Click here for a video introduction.
Ruth E. Thaler-Carter (www.writerruth.com) is a freelance writer, editor, proofreader, desktop publisher and speaker.
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Welcome to February –
A big month for RPCN
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By Michael Van der Gaag, President
 I attended John Foote’s Annual Tax Update on January 10, 2014. John is a charter member of the RPCN and a very successful tax consultant in his own right. From what I heard from many of the attendees, this was one of his best presentations – full of informative tidbits and insights into how to get ready for the upcoming tax changes.
At the end of his presentation, we had a pleasant surprise: John talked a bit about how, in the early days, the recently passed Dave Young helped him with the formation of and publicity for his business, Expert Tax Group. After describing how Dave’s help contributed to the success of Expert Tax Group, John then impressed us all by announcing the creation of an endowment in Dave’s honor.
This endowment will be kept separate from the RPCN’s Dave Young Service Award and will be used to advance the interests of the organization and benefit the membership.
RPCN is honored and grateful. Thank you, John Foote.
Consulting Boot Camp
The 2014 RPCN Consulting Business Boot Camp is about to take off on February 4, in conjunction with Monroe Community College. (Note: early deadline extended through Jan. 31.)
Bob Lurz has assembled a team of successful business leaders who are experts and consultants in their own right. They will guide participants through the process of getting started or re-envisioning their existing businesses. The Boot Camp will help entrepreneurs identify their services and validate the value they bring to their clients. They will learn the best structure for their businesses, and develop plans for entrepreneurial personal improvement. They will discover how to market those consulting businesses through strategies that:
- Focus on prospective clients’ needs.
- Employ marketing methods suitable for solo entrepreneurs, including social media.
- Incorporate techniques that work for successful consultants.
Finally, participants will have a chance to present their unique value propositions and receive feedback from a panel of business leaders.
If you want to get your business off the ground, or take it to the next level, check out this great opportunity at rochesterconsultants.org/bootcamp. (If you know someone else with similar goals or aspirations, send them there, too).
Upcoming conference
The RPCN Conference Committee, led by Dave Bassett, has been making strides on defining the content of the conference planned for October 2014. With the theme of “Picture Yourself in Business,” the conference will balance its emphasis between starting a new business and boosting an existing one. Dave has assembled a team focused on making this conference a success. If you would like to contribute your ideas and your talent, offer suggestions, or give time to organizing this event, contact Dave at dbassett@bassett.pro or (585) 739-9726 (585) 739-9726. We want this conference to exceed the expectations of existing members and visitors alike.
Presentations
We have taken your suggestions for relevant and engaging bimonthly presentations. Don’t miss what we have planned in the near future! Thanks to Lynn Dessert for her assistance in finding speakers.
If you think you know someone who may have a topic of interest to present to the membership, feel free to propose the person’s name, topic description and a summary of their qualifications.
Reminders
- Price of our Brighton Town Hall meetings for non-members is once again $10.
- Online registration and admission payment is available.
- Payment via credit card is available at the door.
- Members can bring a first-time guest at no charge.
- If you know of a full-time student with the talent and interest to become a consultant, let him or her know Student Membership is only half-price: $50.
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RPCN Consulting Boot Camp deadline extended
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The early-bird deadline has been extended through Friday, Jan. 31 for the RPCN’s 2014 Consulting Business Boot Camp in February and March at MCC.
Presenters include: Bob Lurz, owner, Consultants Accelerator; Jon Lazenby, Esq., attorney and partner, Kaman, Berlove, Marafioti, Jacobstein & Goldman LLP; Lynn Dessert, leadership coach; Beth Sears, workplace communication coach; Charlie Hancock, medical sterilization consultant; Kelly Mullaney, website and social media consultant; Jim Payne, marketing consultant; Rich Notargiacomo, director, New Ventures and Commercialization, RIT Venture Creations Incubator; Barbara Moore, social media and computer consultant; Jim Echter, business coach, the Entrepreneur’s Network (TEN) and advisor to the HTR Launchpad; Jean Kase, director, TEN of Monroe County; Bob Kot, director of New Ventures, HighTech Rochester (HTR); Doug Mabon, past chapter chair, Rochester SCORE.
The Boot Camp takes place Feb. 4, 11 and 18 (8:30 AM - 12:30 PM) and Feb. 25 and March 4 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM). All sessions are at the MCC Corporate College, 1057 East Henrietta Road, across from main campus. For registration, go to: rochesterconsultants.org/bootcamp.
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RPCN’s Member Referral Program
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Do you know someone who is considering becoming an RPCN member? Are you considering RPCN membership? If so, you could become eligible for a $25 gift card.
RPCN has introduced a new Member Referral Program that provides incentives to both current and new members.
Here’s how it works. Each quarter, we will conduct a drawing that includes the names of new members and anyone who referred a new member within that quarter. (We collect referral information when new members join.) We will draw one name from each group – a current and a new member – and each will receive a $25 gift card.
- The drawings will be held at one of the Friday meetings.
- The winners will be notified by phone/e-mail, if not present at the meeting.
- The winners’ names will be included in the newsletter.
Congratulations to the winners for the second quarter of the new program:
Mary DeFranco
Bob Lurz
For more information on the benefits of joining the RPCN, click here.
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We want you!
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The RPCN newsletter welcomes news, success stories, tips, resources, events and other items that would be of broad interest to consultants. Submit a newsletter item by email to the newsletter editor. RPCN members also may write articles for our website; submit articles here. In the newsletter, we'll highlight submitted articles aimed at helping consultants make their businesses better.
If you have newsletter questions or suggestions, or ideas for how RPCN could improve communications, contact the Communication Committee:
Janice Hanson, Chair
Barbara Moore
Ruth E. Thaler-Carter
Steve Royal
Please send articles for the March newsletter by Feb. 15.
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Upcoming events
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Technical Forum
facilitated by Lori Cohen
Friday, February 7, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated roundtable discussion of any technical issues that consultants encounter in running their business, including computers, the Internet and telephones. Wondering what kind of questions people are asking lately? For a list from recent forums, click here.
The Greater Rochester Region - Poised for Greatness!
presented by Claudia Burcke, Greater Rochester Enterprise
Friday, February 14, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Claudia Burcke is vice president, investor relations & business development, for Greater Rochester Enterprise. Rochester is known as an innovation hub thanks to our smart workforce, new emerging businesses, entrepreneurial spirit and creation of patents. We led New York State and the nation in terms of job growth over the past year. Attend this presentation to learn how your community engagement can also help strengthen the Rochester region’s economy.
Business Forum
facilitated by Bob Lurz
Friday, February 21, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated roundtable discussion of issues regarding starting or running a consulting business. Wondering what kind of questions people are asking lately? For a list from recent forums, click here.
RPCN Board Meeting
Friday, February 21, 2014
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.
Beautiful Questions to Guide a Consulting Career
presented by Charles Pfeffer
Friday, February 28, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
More than 25 years ago, Charles Pfeffer made the leap from a job with a regular paycheck to the unpredictable life of a consultant, now as an executive coach. At crucial turning points, Pfeffer found himself asking himself questions at the heart of life and work: topics of identity, value, purpose, belonging, integrity, strategy and methodology. In this talk, he will share his story and invite participants to engage with him and with each other in asking questions that are foundational to the choice to be a consultant.
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Book Fair: If you’re thinking about self-publishing a book, attend the free Self-Published Book Fair at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County (115 South Avenue) from 10:30 AM–4:30 PM on Saturday, Feb. 8. While there, look for RPCN member Lynn Dessert, who was accepted as an exhibitor and will have information about her two career books. To register, click here.
Consulting: Several RPCN members and the organization itself were prominently featured in a recent Democrat and Chronicle “Business” section article about consulting. Click here to read the full story.
YouTube: Did you know that the RPCN has its own YouTube channel? You can view short RPCN member profiles, as well as introductions to upcoming RPCN presentations. Subscribe to the RPCN YouTube channel to keep up on the latest RPCN news and features.
Advertising: The Rochester Ad Federation and AMA Rochester host the Super Bowl Ad Review on Tuesday, February 4. A panel of Rochester’s best ad pros give a play-by-play review of the good, the bad and the ugly from this year’s big game. Networking begins at 4:30 PM. Click here for more information and to register.
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Making your business better
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