Los Angeles Networking Guide

West LA Internet Marketers

Randy Hampton — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:56:23 +0000

West LA Internet Marketers is a group of business owners that meet to discuss internet marketing. With such a focus on e-commerce and social media Im surprised there are not more such groups. There next meeting is filling fast so give them a look.

What Is the Next Hot Event for August?

Kaaren Douglas — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:49:09 +0000

It is not unusual for me to attend a networking event every day, and sometimes more than one event in a day. So I’m looking at my schedule for possible hot events you and I would enjoy.

Next Monday, how about Golf Experience Networking. That sounds interesting, if you enjoy golf! Tuesday we could go to the ExecTec Networking Dinner. Wednesday, in Valencia, how about the TEAM Referral Network lunch? By Thursday, we may want to go to the WRS Burbank Luncheon for something different. And on Friday, if we are still up for a new group, check out the Professional Business Network in Beverly Hills.

Wait a minute. All this frenetic activity has made me step back, and ask myself, when will I follow up with everyone if I am constantly on the move? Do I want to be one of the people who goes to events, collects business cards, takes them back to my office, and gets caught up and never follows up? Or better yet, if someone I met follows up with me, calls me to learn more about my business, do I have the time to return their calls?

Currently my desk is piled high with business cards, and my plan is to make follow-up calls today, so I can arrange for coffee meetings. It is a time-consuming process, but part of the fun of meeting people is getting to know them. Before you go to the next networking event, make sure you have followed up with the people you liked at the last one. Send them an email, connect with them on LinkedIn, give them a call, or send them a card. Make sure the people you meet have a reason to want to do business with you.

Happy Networking.

Dr. Kaaren

WRS Billionaire Beach Brunch

Kaaren Douglas — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:12:17 +0000

In 1977, Nancy Sardella, CEO and Founder of Worthwhile Referral Sources, was looking for a female physician. Out of her frustration with an unsuccessful search, and passion for helping women support each other, WRS was formed. WRS is one of the first referral services in the country, where the general public could call in for recommendations for respected, qualified, competent and SCREENED members. In addition it offers regular networking meetings and informative seminars to build contacts and increase business.

Nancy Sardella and Dr. Kaaren Douglas

On Saturday 8/7/2010, over 50 members and guests met at the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey to network and hear about landscape design from the Speaker-Sponsor for the meeting, Greg Davis. He discussed the need for a cohesive design that can be completed in stages, as opposed to a random effort to do a little here and there, with the resultant hodge podge result.

Greg Davis Landscape Designer, Speaker Sponsor

The format of the WRS meetings has been updated to include more networking during the meeting, and always has included the opportunity to display information about your business. Every meeting includes the 30 second Round Robin, where you give your commercial. WRS offers seminars to help develop your commercial, as well as other marketing workshops to grow your business. Members also have the option of offering door prizes, usually related to your business.

Diana Drake, President of WRS Chapter

If you are in the area, and want to connect with serious entrepreneurs, the Beach Brunch may be for you. Contact WRS to make a reservation.

Yvonne Larson, massage therapist and Diane May, RN, Xocai Healthy Chocolate

Massive Networking Througout the Meeting

Valynia Smith, Medical and Dental Management Services

Happy Networking

Dr. Kaaren

“Be Nice”

Kaaren Douglas — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:19:50 +0000

Don’t know about how your July is rolling out, but mine is packed. Isn’t business supposed to slow down in the summer? Myth, my friend, just a myth. So while I am trying to attend events, follow up, post on Facebook and Linked In, make coffee dates, and teach seminars, I sometimes encounter people that make me realize not everyone I meet is a professional. Yesterday was a great example.

I attended a meeting on Wednesday night about a very low calorie weight loss program that is gaining ground and popularity in our area. Since I am a physician, and know several people promoting the program, I was curious to see what they had to say. After an hour and a half of testimonials and diet advice, I exited. The person who invited me contacted me the next day via email, and I called her to see about follow up. She asked me if I was interested in the program for myself, and I told her I wanted to have coffee so I could learn more about her and how to send her referrals. When she knew she didn’t have a sale, she couldn’t see any reason to get together. When I told her I knew several people selling the same program, and only through getting to know her could I send her referrals, she didn’t see any value in that. She told me she had joined the local Chamber, and was going to join a networking group in the Chamber. So I wished her well.

In Roadhouse, one of my favorite Patrick Swayze flicks, the club owner of the Double Deuce roadhouse hires Dalton (Swayze), a professional “cooler” (head bouncer) to clean it up. At the beginning he advises the bouncers that no matter what happens, “Be nice.” You and I are professionals, and we know, even when someone does not want to buy the widget we are selling today, they can still send referrals to us. So we reach out to people we meet to see how we can help them. My message is to them: Be Nice. You never know who will send you business.

Happy Networking

Dr. Kaaren

New Networking This Week

Kaaren Douglas — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:25:17 +0000

Have you planned your business growth for the summer? We are now into the third quarter of the year, and the weather is warm and inviting, maybe too inviting. You and I need to continue to pursue new business, and meet new people, so we keep on the right track. How can we do that? Do you want to try going to a new group, just to see if you can meet five new people? What is available in your area to try?

The new Agoura Hills Chapter of TEAM Referral Network is looking for new members. They meet at Terri’s Cafe at 8:30am every Tuesday. You still have time to make that meeting today.

Tonight you could try the ExecTec Networking Dinner in Los Angeles if you would like to share ideas with other executives in technology or entertainment. Check it out, and save a few coins if you plan and pay in advance.

Free Walking Wednesdays might be just your “cup of tea” if you could see yourself walking and talking for lunch in the Century City area. Be sure to call first to confirm, or just go anyway and enjoy a brisk walk and the great day. And if you are in the Santa Monica area tomorrow night, you could try the Shakers and Stirrers: sounds really fun to me.

Thursday the Regional Hispanic Chamber has a breakfast, but again make sure you contact them to see what is happening, and where.

Friday you can check out the Moorpark Chamber Breakfast in Moorpark.

Do you have any other events you are attending regularly that are not on the calendar? We want to hear about them. I will be adding some new groups soon.

Happy Networking

Dr. Kaaren.

Introducing LeTip of Warner Center

Kaaren Douglas — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:52:18 +0000

One of my business colleagues, Paul Marks, invited me to visit his LeTip group in Woodland Hills: LeTip Warner Center. Ironically they meet in the same spot as one of the first networking groups I ever joined. Like old times, the noisey retirees made hearing the speaker a tad difficult, but the group was having a good time, and looking to grow their chapter. Shelley Roos, estate attorney, was the featured speaker for the day, and she presented some valuable statistics on probate, and why it is important to plan so that the court does not have to administer an estate.

One of the fun things about visiting different groups is meeting people with unique professions. The Warner Center LeTip group has a chef, Vicky Tauman, a pest control expert, Carlo Romero, and a mobile notary, Cezar Apolinario. In addition, their photographer, Brian Noah, had an interesting tagline: “From rings to rattles.”

The group has a disability income specialist, Maribel Zisch, and a financial advisor, Jackson Schwartz, but many professions are not yet represented, so if you are interested in a leads group in Woodland Hills, this may be the one for you.

To be a member in good standing, members must give four tips each month, either within the group, or outside referrals. LeTip is unique in that “proper” behavior is encouraged by charging fines if members don’t wear their badge, are late, don’t have tips, don’t bring guests. But this type of structure may be just what you need to increase your business.

Happy Networking

Dr. Kaaren

Upcoming Events to Finish May 2010

Kaaren Douglas — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:32:46 +0000

Tonight, for those looking to advance into more responsibility in corporate America, you can still register for the annual meeting of Los Angeles Women in the Boardroom at the Hyatt in Century City, from 3 to 6pm.

Tomorrow morning you can attend the Downey Rise ‘N Shine Networking at Bob’s Big Boy Broiler, 7447 Firestone Blvd., Downey (East of Old River School Road). Cost: Order from menu. Guest Speaker: Manuel Ortiz, Professional Job Coach. Topic: “Discover Your Strength Through Job Coaching.”

Wednesday the Century City Chamber is sponsoring Free Walking Wednesdays. Have you tried walking and chatting with other chamber members? Could be fun.

On Thursday you can join the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber for the Chamber Lunch bunch at B.J.’s Restaurant in Woodland Hills.

Also meeting this week are the Networking Professionals of Long Beach at Ruby’s in the Market Place, 6405 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach CA 90803, 7:15 am to 8:30 am. Breakfast is $15 if you make a reservation, $20 if you walk in. You can visit twice before making your decision to join us. Please let them know you are coming with a phone call, 562-313-2066.

Finish off the month right. Happy Networking.

Dr. Kaaren

Happenings This Week

Kaaren Douglas — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:54:57 +0000

Tomorrow in Santa Monica, join ExecTecs for dinner and conversation, and participate in a round table discussion on negotiating to maximize what you can get for your product or service. The negotiating process is a constant in our lives, but do you lack the confidence to avoid the low cost alternative and still close the deal? Are your customers or clients outnegotiating you? Join the discussion.

This month Green Drinks is meeting for a good cause. The newest and greenest Red Brick Pizza is now open in Ventura and as a part of their charity-cafe program is donating a portion of the sales this evening to help the TOUR du GREEN, an EARTH educational event. I have really enjoyed the Green Drinks events I have participated in, and guarantee you will meet some people you won’t find at that Chamber mixer. They might be just the contact you were looking for.

Along that line, we can also network at charity events, such as the Valley Cultural Center’s 11th Annual Summer Food, Wine and Micro-Brew Fest on Thursday, May 13 from 5 to 8:30pm. If you want to sample some fine food and wine, and meet interesting people, maybe this is the event you want to attend.

And finish the week off with a free networking teleclass with our publisher, Mindy Selinger. She has great ideas about how to make your entire networking experience work better for you.

Happy Networking.

Dr. Kaaren

Is There a New Group in Your Area?

Kaaren Douglas — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:15:08 +0000

Lately I have run into a variety of independent networking groups, and have wondered if this is an increasing trend? Obviously all of the large networking groups (Business Networking International, Worthwhile Referral Sources, TEAM Referral Network and others) had to start with one person deciding there was a need for an organized way to meet and do business with other professionals. As the larger groups have been in business for many years, they have evolved into organizations that seem to resemble chambers of commerce in many ways. And the same objections are raised about all of these groups: they are only interested in the the money they are generating when members join. This has led to emergence of individual leads groups that perhaps provide a different range of services, a different focus, or just a casual friendly social gathering. Which has more appeal to you?

Recently on business trip to Boise, ID, I met with Craig Jamieson, the owner and operator of NetWorks! Boise Valley. Craig and I connected on LinkedIn, and set up a “coffee meeting.” NetWorks! is strictly a B2B organization (business to business) as opposed to B2C (business to customer), and as such its members may be individuals who usually do not attend chamber events or leads groups. One unique feature of Jamieson’s groups is that he is the Boss! He attends and runs all three of the groups, and he decides who can join, and who isn’t cutting it, and needs to leave. He provides the online connections and assistance, and he collects the cash. His website is a hub for the members to exchange information, and possible business connections. And it is working! Business is being generated, and more and more people are asking to join.

Since my first networking group was an independent group, I understand the concerns about “what am I getting for the price?” But I believe it takes a special person to decide to start a networking organization, regardless if it is an independent group, or a franchise operation. These folks are the “Connectors” that Malcolm Gladwell refers to, and we should all be so lucky to have some of them in our lives. Congrats to Craig and his groups.

Are there any independent networking groups that need to be listed in our area on NEF? Be sure to let them know about us.

Happy Networking.

Dr. Kaaren

Networking Professionals – Networking breakfast meeting >> 2010-4-30

Kaaren Douglas — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Networking breakfast meeting Networking Professionals – Every Friday @ 7.15 AM

Breakfast is $15 if you make a reservation, $20 if you walk in. You can visit twice before making your decision to join us. Please let us know you are coming with a phone call, or email.

Click on the Networking Event Title for Event Location & Contact.
You can also email this event to a friend or download it to your calendar.
Confirm ALL event details and RSVP
with the Los Angeles networking event host/organizer before attending.

Networking Tip:
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