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Bob Whipple builds his business through trust
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By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter
 Many RPCN members provide consultation on product development and systems or organizational management. Bob Whipple is unusual in providing something more ethereal and esoteric – but equally valuable: thought leadership on trust.
Whipple launched his consulting business, Leadergrow, Inc., and his Trust Ambassador brand in 2003. He has been speaking, teaching, writing and consulting on leadership and trust ever since, providing insights into the benefits and strategic advantages of creating and strengthening trust in the workplace. Based in Hilton, NY, he usually works with clients onsite and does some coaching by phone.
Like many RPCN members, Whipple was an executive with Kodak before becoming a consultant. He went into consulting because “I didn’t want to jump into another full-time job after I retired from Kodak in 2001,” he recalled. “I kind of backed into consulting through teaching and writing, and always enjoyed working with groups. I felt I could help people and am glad that they will pay for me to do so.”
Whipple has benefited from many relationships in building his consulting business: “It’s always people – people helping people” that are the most valuable. “The key thing [for success] is not to be confined to Rochester,” he said. “Get known around the country.”
Whipple’s advice to colleagues fits nicely into his involvement with the RPCN and other organizations: “Don’t be a hermit. Be out there as much as you can. Opportunities will only come to you if you’re [visible and involved].”
Read the full story to find out what he does to promote his business, how RPCN has helped him and a tip on how to take control of a busy schedule. Click here for a video with Whipple’s advice for new consultants.
Ruth E. Thaler-Carter (www.writerruth.com) is a freelance writer, editor, proofreader, desktop publisher and speaker.
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Helping you be better consultants
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By Michael Van der Gaag, President
Consulting Boot Camp
 I gave the welcome at the first session of the 2014 RPCN Boot Camp, produced by Bob Lurz, and listened to Bob’s intro, “What Consultants Do,” and Bob Kot’s own story, “A Consultant Entrepreneur’s Journey.” I met all the attendees and exchanged elevator speeches and business cards. What an impressive group of attendees … each a motivated entrepreneur with a dream and a lot of drive, ready to jump in and get started.
I also attended the second session, to hear Jon Lazenby’s “Legal Issues for Consulting Entrepreneurs” and to see Lynn Dessert’s workshop on “Creating Your Entrepreneurial Personal Development Plan.” Jon’s presentation was very informative and left the audience wanting more. Lynn’s workshop was inspiring, making us glad we made the choice to be consultants, while realizing there is a lot yet to do.
The classes so far have been spot-on in helping participants develop their visions. The participant feedback was highly gratifying and, as they reported, the readings (such as Bruce Katcher’s An Insider’s Guide to Building a Successful Consulting Practice) made them realize how much it really takes to be successful – the effort, the planning, the marketing.
By the end of the second session, I realized that there is still much that even the experienced among us can learn by re-visiting the early phases of our development. In the two years since our last Boot Camp, there is even more to learn about strategies to improve one’s business.
 Ed. note – You can view more photos from the first session of the 2014 RPCN Boot Camp on the RPCN Facebook page. While there, “like” the page to keep up on the latest RPCN news. (Photo: Janice Hanson)
Realizing RPCN’s mission
The Boot Camp is just one way in which the RPCN is fulfilling its mission to enable its members to develop premier consulting businesses that deliver customer-centered solutions that are better, smarter and more innovative.
The four approaches that work together to address the mission include helping members: be better at business, understand our region’s economic opportunities, better market what they do and, finally, be better at consulting.
The Boot Camp gets you on the road to starting your business or improving what you have already started. Our upcoming October conference is going to bring the interests of start-ups together with those of already-practicing consultants to help us take a more well-rounded approach to success.
Programs
Historically we have focused mostly on starting a business or improving business and marketing effectiveness. In the past few years, we have become more focused on understanding the economic state of the greater Rochester area. In the current season, we are including topics to help us be better consultants. Mary Burkhardt’s “Caring for Clients and the Power of Presence” in December was one such topic.
The next two presentations at the Brighton Town Hall will expand on this theme. Charles Pfeffer’s Beautiful Questions to Guide a Consultant’s Career on Feb. 28 and Caitlin Drago’s Improvise Your Way to Successful Collaboration on Mar. 14 will help us come closer to achieving that elusive status of “premier consultant” by helping us see how we can improve how we engage and interact with our clients.
To help us continue to improve our services to members and visitors alike, please take a moment to consider these questions:
- If you want to be the best at what you do, what would it take?
- Is there any way that the RPCN could help you achieve that “premier” status?
- Should “Improving your approach to consulting” be a part of the upcoming October conference?
- If RPCN were to move toward providing more training opportunities, is that something you would support?
Help us continue to improve the RPCN's offerings by taking a brief survey (click here) on these topics, or share your responses by emailing mvan@beyondtheinterface.com. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome.
Here’s to your success!
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Save the date for “Picture Yourself” – Wednesday, October 15
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The RPCN will be holding a full-day conference on Wednesday, October 15, at Monroe Community College. The conference title will be “Picture Yourself” and the event will focus on ways and tools to grow and expand your small/consulting business.
The committee’s next meeting will be held at the Corner Bakery Café at 3300 Monroe Avenue in Pittsford (across the street from the Pittsford Plaza) at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 6.
There are several subcommittees. Please join us if you’d like to help, or just know more about the conference. For more information, contact Dave Bassett at dbassett@bassett.pro or (585) 739-9726 (585) 739-9726.
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Making your business better
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Consulting: Learn about the three R’s of consulting – Reputation, Recommendations and Relationships – from Democrat and Chronicle’s Nextpert Bob Lurz in his article Become a Top-Notch Consultant.
Walking Meetings: In this TED Talk, business innovator Nilofer Merchant suggests a small idea that just might have a big impact on your life and health. Next time you have a one-on-one meeting, make it into a “walking meeting” – and let ideas flow while you walk and talk. Click here to watch the video.
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.
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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 Communication Committee. 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 April newsletter by March 15.
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Upcoming events
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Technical Forum
facilitated by Steve Royal
Friday, March 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 businesses, including computers, the Internet and telephones. Wondering what kind of questions people are asking lately? For a list from recent forums, click here.
Improvise Your Way to Successful Collaboration
presented by Caitlin Drago, Inspire Improv
Friday, March 14, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Great customer service comes from listening to our clients and building solutions with them. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the exciting world of collaboration and listening through improvisation. In addition, the fun and creative spirit of improv will open us up to new possibilities and provide laughter along the way.
Caitlin Drago has a background in theater and the performing arts. As a staff member at the McArdle Ramerman Center, she guides groups in personal development through improvisation. Here is a short video in which Caitlin discusses her presentation.
Business Forum
facilitated by Bob Lurz
Friday, March 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, March 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.
The State of the Economy: Current Economic Trends
presented by Kent Gardner, Center for Governmental Research
Friday, March 28, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Is recovery finally here? Or will the economy continue to rumble along in first gear, going forward, but slowly. Kent Gardner will discuss economic conditions since the beginning of the recession, how Rochester, Upstate and NY have fared relative to the nation and explore what lies ahead. Gardner is chief economist/chief research officer at the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) and leads CGR’s study of economics and public finance.
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Networking: The Rochester Women’s Network hosts a session on networking effectively for beginners and beyond. Sandy Sloane shares specific tools and techniques that will take your networking skills to a higher level and help you achieve your goals more effectively. The event is Wed., March 5, at 5:30 PM at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 249 Highland Ave. Click here for more information and to register.
Personal Cloud: Explore a top IT trend for 2014 – the ability to access all your data using all your devices. Leave with takeaways to improve your personal and business effectiveness. Hosted by Digital Rochester at the Locust Hill Country Club, 2000 Jefferson Road on Thurs., March 27, at 7:30 AM. Click here for more information and to register.
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