The OC Networking Guide » Networking Guide

~ Our Gift ~

Lori - OC Editor — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:27:16 +0000

The holidays are upon us and many are in the ‘gift’ mode. What gift do I want? What gift should I get for my friends? Oh boy, what will I get my family members? My Dad is the hardest…he has everything!
So, we take the journey to the mall to see what ‘gifts’ we can find. If you are like me, you get drawn in by the pretty displays: bright, shiny, and colorful. Sometimes it is fun, and sometimes a trip to the mall sucks all the energy out of my body. It can be exhausting! Just to find the perfect gift.
What is the perfect gift anyhow? Have you ever considered that the one perfect gift you have been looking for is YOU?!? You know God didn’t make any mistakes. He didn’t make extras of us just in case he discovered a flaw. There are no flaws. We are perfect just the way we are.
Your smile might be the only smile a stranger gets today: that is your gift to humanity. I invite you to go through your holiday traditions knowing that you are one of the greatest gifts there is! We all are! Be blessed in the presence of others this year and enjoy networking the gift that each one of us is.

Holiday Networking is FUN!

Lori - OC Editor — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:52:16 +0000

Earlier this month I attended the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador Holiday Breakfast. We did a “Yankee Swap” which is a new term for me. I thought it was called “White Elephant”. Anyhow, great fun! Last week was the Hispanic Chamber’s Holiday toy drive. Tacos, toys, and terrific people!

Networking is always fun to me, but especially this time of year. Check out the calendar and see what event is in your area. There are many taking place right now! So many to choose from I find myself juggling 2 events in one day! Mix, mingle, and celebrate by networking and making new connections! Happy Holidays ~Sue, The OC Editor

Networking in Orange County – October 1

Mindy-NEF_ADMIN — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:52:02 +0000

by Marcie Taylor, Networking Ninja & Paparrazi ,

Lately I’ve noticed a trend – instead of product launches, companies are turning to business mixers. Traditionally, mixers are hosted by Chambers of Commerce; but these days, I think companies realize that bringing people together is a better way of introducing their products and services. By fostering community and conversations via a relatively low-cost event (compared to say, a product launch), both the host and attendees of such events have much to gain.

Business mixers are an opportunity for people to build relationships and make new contacts to expand their marketing efforts. Whether you’re starting a new venture or currently “in transition,” attending a business mixer would be a great way for you to make professional contacts. This is the goal for the Pink Slip Mixers around town. According to their website: “Our goal is to motivate and inspire professionals to network with each other to find new jobs. “ The next Pink Slip Mixer in Orange County is on October 27th in Irvine.

Companies that host mixers hope to showcase their company’s business to guests and provide business contract opportunities for those in attendance, in a relaxed “social” setting With the advent of social media there is an entirely new way of organizing and promoting mixers including Twitter (Tweetups) and Meetup , online Calendars and Email Newsletters like the ones provided by NetworkingEventFinders.com

Last week I attended The Bump Networking Event sponsored by The Knot (magazine). It was held at the new children’s museum Pretend City in Irvine. It was a nice crowd and everyone managed to mix and mingle. Check out my photo slideshow here.

Unfortunately I missed another event held that same night. It was the re-launch of the Orange County Chapter of Ladies Who Launch Meetup – who billed their event an Open House Mixer.

The next day, I attended the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Surf City Connections Business Expo – which wasn’t a mixer per se (more like a vendor/member showcase) – -but I believe in taking every event as an opportunity to network. Check out the pictures from the expo here.

Always remember to make eye contact, have a firm handshake, and a snazzy business card. Things get lost in the moment and you can’t go in all serious with a hard sell pitch ready. (Nobody likes a hard sell.) But you definitely can network with a purpose (More on that next time). If done the right way, business networking at mixers is an excellent way to market yourself and build strong relationships.

Orange County Networking & Online Networking vs. Traditional Networking – Aug 18th

Mindy-NEF_ADMIN — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:49:18 +0000

Online Networking vs. Traditional Networking

By Marcie Taylor
You’ve heard the buzz and are trying your best to keep up. All the new social media tools can get quite overwhelming. But there is reason for the buzz – many businesses and entrepreneurs are finding out that social networking can translate into sales and benefits. At the very least, it is a great way of viral marketing on the cheap. But is online networking better than face-to-face networking? Are companies replacing traditional networking with virtual networking? According to Le Tip of Orange County (via Twitter @ocletip), they use a mix of both offline and online networking.

In a podcast interview on BNI Podcast.com, Internet Marketing Expert Mirna Bard of NuReach Global and current social media chair on the public relations committee for NAWBO OC (National Association of Women Business Owners- Orange County,) said: “Of course, social networking can never replace face-to-face networking because we are missing that eye contact, the facial expressions, the hand gestures, but they are very powerful tools that can be aligned with offline networking strategies.”

As for me, a child of the new (digital) age, I don’t know if I could actually have started my business by relying solely on the real world. The web has been a great resource for me – how many of us google things we don’t know, yelped a restaurant, or checked a price on Amazon.com — before making a decision? All things considered however, meeting a person in real life is always different from keeping a relationship virtual. I believe that SM tools like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and websites like Meetup.com and other Ning communities are a great way to find people of like-mind or perhaps people whose services you need or vice versa. The challenge that faces today’s executives and networkers is finding a balance between online and offline networking.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a Blog Crush event – it was dubbed the OC Blogger’s Ball, organized by The Glamorous Life Association and held at the Anaheim Hilton It was one of those events borne out of the web and moving out into the real world. It was an amazing experience meeting people in person for the first time. For some who had been reading each other’s blogs or tweeting conversations, it seemed like hangin’ out with a long-lost friend. The energy at the newly renovated Hilton was electric.

Speaking of offline meet ups resulting from online communities, this Wednesday Aug. 19th, OCEAN (Orange County Executives and Networkers) is holding it’s first Mixer at 6pm at The Corner Office in Costa Mesa.

And next week is an OC Tweetup organized by the OC Triumvirate (sisters @RochelleVeturis, @ReporterHaley & @ChelseyVeturis) August 25th 7-9pm at Peppino’s in Irvine.

END

Share your thought on this topic with me or remember to post your networking event on our calendar. Marciemarketing[at]gmail.com Follow me on Twitter @suburbanmama

Orange County Networking Events & News – Aug 4

NEF Greeter — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:03:25 +0000

Greetings! We have made some additions to The Orange County Networking Guide. First I’d like to introduce Marcie Taylor, who will be writing occasionally & popping into events & taking some pictures…so I’ve dubbed her the Networking Paparazzi. When you see her…SMILE! Read her intro below. Also we have a couple of Special Events to tell you about…Looks like there is going to be a MAJOR Health & Fitness event, the IDEA Health & Fitness Expo in Anaheim next week. Then on the 21st Calling all Entrepreneurs! Quattro University is hosting Club Entrepreneur
Happy Networking!

Mindy, the Publisher

Marcie Taylor – Special Correspondent & Networking Paparazzi

My name is Marcie Taylor and I will be one of your guides to Orange County’s networking events.

I am a writer, photographer and social networking ninja. By the latter I mean that I help people set up their profiles on networking sites and help small businesses and entrepreneurs use social media to market or promote their products and services. Back in the day, I lived on the other side of the world where I was once dubbed a marketing maven. Wasn’t sure that I was a maven but I did network like crazy for the company I worked for (a rock radio station). It was as much fun as it was work.

Then I moved to the US, started a family, and became a SAHM. (Stay At Home Mom) I couldn’t stop networking however, so I worked pro-bono, volunteered, kept writing and working the worldwide web to stay connected and plugged in to the outside world. I blogged (before it was even called that), I published an ezine, I spoke to my family across the seas via email, friendster, multiply, IM (now Skype). The early versions of online networking tools were such a blessing for an expatriate like me.

Long before social networking or social media became a buzzword, I always believed in making connections. For me, it isn’t about the latest gadgets or software; it is about people. Computers and applications such as Facebook, Twitter etc. are just the tools to connect people. They are the means to an end. The end – creating meaningful relationships with other people.

And so today I blog, I tweet, I yelp. I have a FB Fan Page and a Linked In profile. I’m posting on message boards, joining Meetups and having 140 character conversations. It might seem like I’m everywhere but the one place I really need to be is RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. And if you want to know what I really think, it is this: Face to Face trumps Virtual any day.

So network online as much as you like, but do go out and meet some people in the real world. That’s what this CALENDAR provides – events and information about your local business community. Networking Event Finders assists you to Market Globally – Connect Locally™.

Through OC Networking Event Finders, I hope to CONNECT you with the many networking opportunities in and around our side of sunny Southern California. I hope that through this calendar of events and my articles, you will make new friends, valuable contacts and build your business, and perhaps take your career to the next level. More importantly, I would like to CONNECT WITH you.

I will be at a few of the events armed with my camera. You will know me, I am usually dressed in black (like a ninja) and I’ll be there taking pictures, shaking hands, making introductions, meeting people, mixing, mingling – making human connections.

Follow me on twitter @suburbanmama and @marcietaylorpix

IDEA World Fitness Convention 2009 (& Something Special for the Ladies) 8/12-15th

Lori - OC Editor — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:52:32 +0000

2009 IDEA World Fitness Convention Exhibit Schedule

The 2009 IDEA World Fitness Convention will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 12-15, 2009. One of the featured vendors at the Health & Fitness Show is the Healthy Lifestyle Solutions & Bras That Fit Well Exhibit at Booth # 534. This event is FREE and open to the Public!

Wednesday -August 12 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Thursday – August 13 12 Noon to 6:00 PM
Friday – August 14 12 Noon to 6:00 PM
Saturday – August 15 12 Noon to 5:00 PM

Anaheim Convention Center
800 W Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA 92802-3496

Admission to the Exhibit Hall is FREE – Say you are visiting Booth #534

In this tough economy a little hope is coming to the Anaheim Convention Center in the form of business opportunities in the only American industry that is thriving in this economy Weight Loss, Wellness and Fitness Products.

About Booth #534
Healthy Lifestyle Solutions and Bras That Fit Well are both woman and minority-owned businesses. Business owners will find out about hot products positioned to increase your cash flow. Women, if you are dissatisfied with your present bra that promises you lift but let you down, come see our No Under Wire Custom Support Bras and sign up for a free bra fitting during the Convention.

These universal Custom Support Bras can be worn to work, social events, everyday use, as sports bras and even for nursing. See the Custom Support Bras that give you lift without painful under wire. These Support Bras come in a wide range of sizes from 32 to 50 and cup sizes range from C cup to LL cup.

Interested visitors may be invited to a private reception and trade show presentation in the Company’s hospitality suite every evening after the exhibit hall closes. Pick up your invitation at Booth #534, sign up for a free fitting, or call (619) 933-1329 for an appointment.

NEW LinkedIn Group “We Are Orange County”

Lori - OC Editor — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:26:00 +0000

Sven Johnston, a Laguna Niguel resident and employee of Irvine’s Escoe Bliss Communications Inc., was not satisfied with LinkedIn’s decision to lump Orange County in with The Greater Los Angeles Area. Didn’t they realize that Orange County is a vibrant business center in its own right? Now, thanks to him, Orange County is definately on LinkedIn’s radar…He has formed We Are Orange County, now an official LinkedIn Group.

A month after they launched, they have almost 1800 members (including moi)…and the Orange County Business Journal gave them some press. I’m sure they will grow quickly. Watch for their meetings on our calendars!

Professional Videographers Network >> 2009-4-8

Lori - OC Editor — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:30:00 +0000

General Notes: Professional Videographers Network -

** Moderator's Networking Event Notes:
What: WPN Networking Breakfast
When: 2nd Wednesday @ 6:30 PM
Where: Irvine
Who: Members & Guests
Cost: $15 for non-members

Reviews and Comments: This event has not been reviewed

Orange County Networking Guide Editor: Sue Lemus

Orange County Networking Guide

###

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 Orange County networking event host/organizer before attending.

Networking Tip: "Giving creates a natural narcotic called endorphins. Let&#39s support this addiction in becoming an epidemic." by Mel Kaufmann, author The Millionaire&#39s Handbook

FREE Millionaire&#39s Handbook eCourse - Sign up Here

The Orange County Networking Guide is a Networking Event Finders Publication
The Orange County Editor: Sue Lemus
The Networking Event Finders Publisher: Mindy Selinger

Quick Links: NEF Networking Guides | Add Orange County Events | Networking Forums | FREE Downloads | Advertise | Contact
Keywords: Orange County networking, networking Orange County, networking events, networking groups, networking organizations
Sponsored Links: YTB Travel | 99¢ Biz Ideas

Fullerton Chamber of Commerce Sunset Mixer

fullertonchamber — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:00:57 +0000

The relaxed networking event is free to Chamber members and prospective Chamber members and includes prizes and giveaways.
Please join us at RE/MAX of North Orange County, 1441 Brea Blvd. Fullerton
Event day: April 8, 2009
Event time: 5-7pm

FORE Networking – Irvine >> 2009-3-20

Lori - OC Editor — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:30:00 +0000

General Notes: FORE Networking - Golf & Business Networking

** Moderator's Networking Event Notes:
What: Golf & Business Networking
When: 1st, 3rd Fridays, 7:30am-9:30am
Where:
Who: Members & Guests
Cost: $35.00 all inclusive

Reviews and Comments: This event has not been reviewed

Orange County Networking Guide Editor: Sue Lemus

Orange County Networking Guide

###