The new executive: Chief Networking Officer (CNO)

by Octavio Pitaluga

I have once written about CNO - Chief Networking Officer and debated if this position would be suitable for the new corporate world where long term relationships and win-win partnerships are gaining more and more importance on daily basis. I entitled myself Chief Networking Officer and created a new business - Net-bridges - offering services on business networks coaching, training and executive networking events. In the meantime, I was very glad when I discovered that there are a growing number of professional CNOs worldwide. I decided to interview a pioneer in the field, Selma Prodanovic, CNO of brainswork (TM).


What was your previous experience before you become a CNO?

After studying international marketing, I worked in Headquarters for Central & Eastern Europe of worldwide advertising networks where I developed our offices but also coordinated the market entries of 25 different multinational clients in 15 countries. The most fascinating part of my work was to connect with individuals within the worldwide network, and locate transferable knowledge and experience on each specific client. By the way, one of my favourite contacts was in your home country Brazil.

Later on, my international work continued as I coordinated the work of film crews while shooting TV commercials for example in Venezuela, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa at the same time. But I also worked in investment consulting, teaching, training, lecturing, strategic marketing consulting and communications. In short, after 15 years of new business development I started my own business end of 2003.


What motivated you to become a CNO? When/how did this happen?

I am a passionate networker and I am personally devoted to progress achieved through networking and brainsworking.
I lived in several countries in Europe and Africa, and was educated in four different educational systems, so while moving from one country to another, I had to learn already as a child, how important social networking was, especially when starting from scratch.
The interest in networking started as a personal conviction - every one of us can make a positive difference, but it works best if we make our diversity connected - and later on it developed to be a professional and academic interest.
Also, I did not have a "straight" career. This seemed to be a disadvantage at one point because I did not fit in the already existing "boxes" but then I realized that exactly this diversity of experiences and people I met, is my biggest asset and greatest strength. I enjoy connecting these various aspects of my life and business. My passion for networking culminated when I started brainsworkâ„¢ the creative business development group now already working in three continents, and became Chief Networking Officer.


What's your routine as CNO?

I spend part of my day at the computer managing contacts and preparing content for clients, and the other lecturing in networks, meeting network members, or participating in networking events. I consult more than a dozen various networks worldwide, but also consult and coach individuals and companies on how to profit from networking and to be more efficient. I am currently working on various research projects, developing a course on business networking with an international university, preparing a book, writing articles, or giving interviews as this oneJ.
It is important to note that my primary business is new business development, and networking is on one hand a tool I use to efficiently and successfully reach my business goals, and on the other hand, simply my way of being.


Who are your major networks today (please mention some industries and level of contacts, e,g., airlines and Marketing Directors)?

My network includes international top management and government officials but also contacts I made in my kid's kindergarten (which turned into fantastic business cooperation). I love the variety of my networks which gives me the freedom to choose both the people I work with and the projects I work on. In general this approach delivers top results which mean happy clients, who then lead to more recommendations, and more business… Although I have an international and very diverse network, and clients ranging from USA to Ukraine the majority of my contacts relates to the South-East of Europe, and to entrepreneurs especially in creative industries. I work with innovative technology start-ups, but also work on development strategies of cities and even countries.


How do your work with media?

An efficient relationship to the "mightiest" network is very important. I have direct and regular contact with a relatively small but selected number of journalists, opinion leaders. They need the information I have and I need the impact they can provide - a classical win:win networking relationship.
But today, working with the journalists is not enough. You also have to be aware of independent bloggers, and well connected network members; their number and power is growing. Even many journalists use weblogs, blogs, or podcasts as sources of information or inspiration; not to mention the growing relevance of buzz marketing campaigns.


What is the profile of a CNO?

CNOs must have brainsworking skills. This means they have to be able to use their "networking intelligence", their connected thinking skills, to share and create new knowledge with the goal to foster business development (which also includes personal development, creativity and innovation). It is a person who facilitates and develops communication of all stakeholders. CNOs must have excellent people skills and entrepreneurial spirit.


How does a CNO aggregate value to his/her organization?

The CNO leads and facilitates the development of the social capital (social networks) of a company and works directly with the CEO. The facilitation of both tacit and implicit knowledge exchange, a higher level of brainsworking skills within the company, leads to higher and more efficient both individual and overall business performance. On corporate level it could mean: more turnover and less costs; more efficiency through synergy effects; easier new client acquisition / business development; better and longer client relationships; more efficient knowledge sharing & management with all stakeholders; higher intrapreneurship skills; more innovation and creativity; more positive and inspired environment; easier sharing of company values and building a sense of community; easier recruitment of high potentials; better reputation & image transfer on clients

How well does the corporate market understand the CNO position today in Europe and worldwide?

Business today is more and more about people's relations. The relationship a corporation has with their consumers in Europe will also influence the relationship this same corporation has with consumers in Brazil. Why? Because consumers talk to each other directly more and more, be it through weblogs, blogs, or on-line networks. This is a small world. The management far too often sees employees only as statistical data and forgets the individuals behind. We need to better understand people’s relations and realize the force behind it. We need professional networking skills.
Let me give you an example. Imagine the quite, introvert employee in the last corner office, a good worker but with no power within the corporation. And now imagine this same person is a 5.000+ contacts networker within an online network. Due to technological advancement and the development of online networks, this is possible. If we assume that each person has a social network of 500 contacts (family, friends, school friends, former colleagues,..), your employee can reach 5.000 x 500 people! Imagine the power and the potential consequences.


Is CNO position getting popular in Europe and worldwide? What´s the trend?

Yes, it is gaining importance, and I am positive we will see an exponential raise of CNO is the next 3-5 years.
I started as CNO in 2004 and at that time it sounded a bit strange. Even in November 2005 at a Vienna Hub round table on networking with professional networkers like Bill Liao from OpenBC, I was the only CNO. In January 2006, OpenBC appointed a CNO, and today the number of networks and companies relying on CNOs is growing. Exceptional networkers existed long before the internet, but the profession itself is developing only now.

PHONE POWER!

A Workshop designed to deliver Superior Customer Service over the Telephone

Holiday Inn – Burnaby
June 6, 2006
9:00am – 12:30pm

Your organization will save time and money as your front line staff will have all the tools to manage every client interaction effectively, and positively influence your clients’ or customers’ business and purchasing decisions.

This professional workshop is presented by Janice Porter of Porter Training Solutions. Janice has extensive experience in the telecommunications training industry, and guarantees to help your organization attain its communications and business goals in style with her characteristic sense of humor, energy and enthusiasm.

Register Now and let us contribute to your business growth.

Call Porter Training Solutions @ 604.983.0188
or email portertrainingsolutions@shaw.ca

Cost: $129(+gst) before May 30th
$139 after May 30th
$99 (+gst) for 2 or more per company

**Pre Registration Required

Free web seminars featuring top authors and business leaders

Just thought you might be interested in this amazing resource. No catch! It's perfect for people that don't have enough time (or don't like) to sit down and read.

Archives
http://main.placeware.com/demos/web_seminar_archive.cfm

Upcoming Seminars
http://livemeeting.viewcentral.com/events/cust/search_results.aspx?cid=placeware&pid=2&event_type=Business+Interest+Seminar


Partial List of Speakers:

Brian Tracy (Author and Presenter)
Bo Burlingham, Inc. Magazine (Editor)
Donald Trump
Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind (Author)
Dr. Ken Blanchard, One Minute Manager (Author)
Scott Blanchard, Leverage Your Best, Ditch the Rest (Author)
Steve Levitt and Stephen Dubnerm, Freakonomics (Author)
Steven Little, The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth (Author)
Tom Peters, many many books (Author)
Tom Sant, Persuasive Business Proposals (Author)
Zig Ziglar (sales guru)

Fyi, I have NO affilation to this site or the contents. Just thought it was a good resource.

Regards,


Tats

Art as a Role Model for Business

By Linda Naiman

As organizational life becomes increasingly complex, chaotic, and confusing, leaders are searching for solutions outside the traditional spheres of business. We cannot find all the answers to our problems in the world of the rational, logical, and scientific. We need to bring other competencies into the equation: creative, artistic, imaginative, symphonic, and mythic. These competencies have been largely ignored in contemporary organizations. There is growing awareness, however, that they are vital to organizational success, and consequently the arts are emerging as a role model for business to adopt.

All great art pushes boundaries beyond established norms and thus can teach us about aesthetics, ambiguity, diversity, chaos, change, courage, and complexity. (The arts encompass the visual art forms of drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, electronic media, design, and video, as well as the performing arts, which include dance, story telling, poetry, music, film. and theatre.) Brandweek (1998), a publication for marketing and branding professionals, notes that "to understand the process of creative genius it is valid for business people to look at the model of the artist. The business of the artist is to create, navigate opportunity, explore possibility, and master creative breakthrough. We need to restore art, the creation of opportunity, to business."

A growing number of companies in the UK, Europe, the US and Canada are using the arts to enhance organizational performance, including: American Express, BBC, Boeing, British Airways, Coca-Cola, IBM, Kodak, Lever Faberge, Pfizer, Shell, and the World Bank. Canadian and US government agencies are also using the arts as a tool for transformation in leadership development initiatives. Learning Lab Denmark (www.lld.dk) is being funded by the government of Denmark to study what business can learn from the arts.

What can business learn from the arts?
Deborah Jacroux, a work/life consultant with the Microsoft Corporation (USA) says, "Over the years the logical/analytical left brain has dominated business decision making. Skills that utilize intuition, inspiration, and active imagination haven’t found a home within the corporate world. Many employees have equally separated their love of creativity and the arts, and a chasm exists between their right and left brains. The arts convey stories and the opportunity to enter a place where all is possible. The major obstacles corporations currently face such as diversity, cross-group collaboration, and work/life balance, can all be met with an increased focus on the arts.

What is art if not the enactment of diversity? All art, whether the visual arts, spoken stories, or the grace of dance, expresses the rich variety of authenticity of culture, a tapestry of humanity already painted for our eyes to read as symbols and understand with our hearts. Work rises from the soul and sculpts our future using creative imagination. Corporations of the future that understand the creative impulse within the human spirit will be the leaders of tomorrow."
Businesses today want to break away from their limitations, aim higher, and be a creative force for the greater good of the world. We need the transformative experiences the arts give us to thrive in a world of change. In ancient cultures, the mystery schools put students through initiations to overcome fear, learn something about their true nature, and gain self-actualization (self-mastery). The arts give us a taste of the mystery and help make sense of the world.
The arts take us on adventures in creative expression that help us to safely explore unknown territory, overcome fear, and take risks. We can transfer these learning experiences to the workplace. Art-making has an alchemical effect on the imagination. It teaches us to think in symbols, metaphors, and to de-code complexity.

Mining Group Gold
In my own work with organizations, I’ve noticed that a shared art experience in an environment of trust and freedom, enhances our sense of belonging, and creates a crucible for deep conversation from which emerge caring, camaraderie, and genius-level thinking. I call this process mining group gold. Participants in my seminars have observed that:

"Art can be part of the process of bridging gaps/polarities."
"Art creates a different kind of conversation than the verbal/ cerebral one of the workplace."
"Painting was an experience of listening with other senses."
"Art gives us new ways to experience each other."
John Seely Brown, former chief scientist at Xerox PARC and director of the PAIR program, (which paired artist with researchers at PARC), says, "The artists revitalize the atmosphere by bringing in new ideas, new ways of thinking, new modes of seeing and new contexts for doing. This is radically different from most corporate support of the arts, where there is little intersection between the disciplines…

There are three ways I look at [the impact of an art experience]. One is the notion that engaging in these types of activities evokes deeper responses, deeper emotions. It brings forth many of the tacitly held beliefs and assumptions that you have. So think of it as evocative of the tacit knowledge. The second is that focused conversations are built and fused together around evocative objects that concern problems that the researcher has on his or her mind. I have said very often, it was the researcher that had the real problem, but the interaction with the artist actually made a big difference. The third concerns the power of simplicity. Simplicity prior to complexity doesn’t mean much. But simplicity, after you pass through the wall of complexity, after you have marinated in a fully nuanced reading of the situation and then rendering it in very simple ways, is extraordinarily powerful."

Knowledge Creation
"Hearing something 100 times, is not the same as seeing it once." Chinese proverb

Art teaches us to sharpen our senses and perceive the world in new ways. Using art/imagery to visualize information is an effective means of knowledge creation. Equiva Services, a support services company for joint venture companies formed by Shell Oil Company, Texaco and Saudi Refining, established a learning lab to study successful new economy companies. Participants in the study embarked on field trips to learn how these companies leverage creativity and high performance. Once they completed their information gathering, their next challenge was to synthesize their findings, and make sense of it all. Participants made sculptural models incorporating words and images to give form to their ideas. Their artwork sparked inquiry, dialogue, storytelling and reflection among the group.

According to Nick Nissley and Gary Jusela researchers involved in this project, these sculptures were the structural capital that “led to the telling of stories about how the energy of imagination and knowledge from the participants’ field visits could be harnessed into intellectual capital.” Using art to visualize information and ideas is a simple and powerful way to make knowledge explicit. The art process made visible what it takes to operate in the new economy. (Equiva ASTD 2002)

Improv as a model for organizing chaos
Jerry Kail, senior OD consultant, LexisNexis, uses the principles of Improv to guide his work in what might otherwise be a chaotic environment. He says, "Actors, especially improvisational actors, have been training their minds for centuries to deal with the unanticipated or, rather, to ‘anticipate surprise.' All of the learnings of improvisational acting apply to learning soft skills in the workplace... It’s very common for me to facilitate the work of a group of people who haven’t worked together before and who aren’t located in the same city, country, or hemisphere. Their challenge can be equated to that of an improv team: to jointly create a coherent narrative from little more than ‘Here’s the goal. Figure out how to get there.' ...Team members must identify promising directions to follow, accept offers for exploration, relate all the various stimuli to the emerging narrative, strike out into risky areas, relinquish trying to control the ultimate outcome, and ultimately create a coherent result that incorporates as many of the threads as possible. In the best improv and the best business teams, there are no stars, no upstaging. The team is the star."

"Unfreezing" the Story
Theatre is also being used by organizations to explore problems that might be difficult to discuss, especially if the situation is emotionally charged. Having professional actors 'playback' the story, externalizes the situation, and makes it safe to discuss. Lena Bjørn, co-founder of The Decapo Theater (Denmark) says "We often work with companies in a period of transition. I think basically what we can do with the theater is to open up the dialogue. Maybe it has never been there; maybe it has been frozen for some reason. We activate their issues but we do it in a safe way because we come with this fiction. Theatre can effect a kind of relief because we use a lot of humor—Ha-ha! Look at what they are doing. It's like us. So we can bring relief by being able to look at our-selves and we can bring reflection."
Art is a means to learn about ourselves and our relationships with each other, to uncover truth, knowledge, to sense emerging futures, to encourage dialogue that embraces many points of view, and to develop skills in logical and conceptual thinking —crucial for achieving success in any endeavor.
For organizations to flourish, we must create environments that foster creativity in all its diversity. We must bring together multi-talented groups of people who collaborate and orchestrate the exchange of knowledge and ideas that shape the future. The question to ask your organization is “What can we learn from the arts that we can apply to business?" A growing number of organizations in business and government are doing just that!
This essay was adapted from Orchestrating Collaboration at Work: Using Music, Improv, Storytelling and Other Arts to Improve Teamwork, by Arthur B. VanGundy, and Linda Naiman. (Wiley/Pfeiffer/Jossey-Bass, 2003)

© Copyright 2004, Linda Naiman & Assoc Inc. All rights reserved.

Linda Naiman BFA, is founder of Creativity at Work, a Vancouver BC consulting coaching and training group, at the forefront of transformational change in organizations. Linda may be reached at 604.327.1565 or through www.creativityatwork.com

Linda's book "Orchestrating Collaboration at Work" is available for sale through the www.creativityatwork.com site.

Get Clients NOW!

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT PRODUCT OR SERVICE BUT STILL STRUGGLE TO FIND NEW CLIENTS?

ARE YOU TIRED OF WORKING EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY ONLY TO DISCOVER YOU'RE STILL JUST SCRAPING BY?

DO YOU WONDER WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO DOUBLE OR EVEN TRIPLE YOUR SALES IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS?
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If you answered YES! to any of these questions, then keep reading because this could just be the most important letter you've ever received.

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If you hate marketing, don't know where to start or just never have enough time for it you'll be impressed with how simple it is to get your marketing efforts unstuck and into high gear. My Get Clients NOW! Mastery Program is guaranteed to give you a step-by-step action plan for getting all the clients you need.

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• Over 100 marketing strategies and tools designed to turn prospects
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• Where you're stuck and what holds you back
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WHAT YOU'LL ALSO GET: The Extras

• Tested and proven program designed to keep you in motion
• A copy of the best selling book Get Clients NOW! by CJ Hayden
• Individual, group and buddy support to keep you motivated
• Unlimited email support from a professional business coach and successful business owner
• Five group conference calls
• Three individual business coaching sessions


HOW IT WORKS: the Logistics

• An initial full day workshop on Tuesday, April 25th from 9:00am to 5:00pm
• An evening workshop on Monday, May 15th from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
• Five weekly, one-hour group conference coaching calls from 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Tuesday May 23, Monday, May 8, 29, and June 5, 12
• Three individual 40-minute business coaching sessions (approximately every two weeks)
• Limited enrollment to ensure every participant gets maximum benefit and personal attention (maximum enrollment of 16)


MEET YOUR FACILITATOR: Sue Clement

I have over 25 years experience in management, sales and business ownership. In 1990, I started a local employment agency and within four years had built it into a multi-million dollar company with over 500 temporary workers. After negotiating a lucrative sale of the employment agency in 2000, I started a new company - Success Coaching. As a Business Coach and trainer, I work with entrepreneurs and small business owners world wide, helping them to reach their goals and achieving
outstanding results and profitability in their business.

I understand the pressures of owning a business because I've been in the trenches myself. I've had my fair share of struggles and sleepless nights wondering where the next client would come from and whether I could met payroll obligations. I've experienced the challenges of building sales as well as the rewards and joy of seeing the business succeed, grow and reach tremendous profitability.

I'm passionate about helping owners like you, experience all the riches they deserve as they build great businesses and lives. For more information about me check out my website at http://www.sueclement.com


YOUR INVESTMENT

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Sue Clement
Success Coaching

email: sue@sueclement.com
phone: 604.321.5500
web: http://www.sueclement.com

PS. I want to make this offer totally risk free for you. Attend both workshops, all five conference calls and individual coaching sessions and if you're not totally satisfied, I guarantee to fully refund your money and you can keep the book. That's how confident I am that this program absolutely WORKS!

PPS. If you know someone who would benefit from this workshop please click on the "forward email" link below to send this email to them. They'll thank you for it!

BBOT Members’ Trade Show: "Business Creating Business"

BBOT Members' Trade Show: "Business Creating Business"

On May 10th, the Burnaby Board of Trade will be hosting our first ever Members' Trade Show: "Business Creating Business," at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a fantastic opportunity to network and to showcase your business to the community! Over 75 exhibitors will participate, and over 500 people are expected to attend. Appetizers will be provided, and beverages will be available at the no-host bar.

Display tables are selling fast, and are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Limited prime locations remain. Due to high-demand, advertising deadlines and limited space, we strongly suggest that you register early to avoid disappointment and/or exclusion from promotional opportunities.

All participants who register prior to April 10th will be mentioned in all of our promotional materials for this event, including ads in the Burnaby NOW and on our website. In addition, participants who register prior to April 18th will be invited to a special seminar on "Maximizing your Success at the Trade Show," hosted by Randy Hnatko of Trainwest Management Consulting Inc. This seminar will be held on Wednesday, April 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and is free of charge for all participants.

Display tables are available for our members at a cost of $225. Non-members may reserve tables starting from $425, which includes a one-year membership with the Burnaby Board of Trade. All prices are exclusive of GST.

For more information, or to reserve a display table, please contact Diana Hambrook at 604-412-0100 ext. 3, or by e-mail at dhambrook@burnabyboardoftrade.com.

Correction to Parking Site Tax Letter Contacts

For those interested in submitting the Parking Site Tax letter to the Provincial Government and Mayor Malcolm Brodie, please use the following e-mail addresses:

carole.taylor.mla@leg.bc.ca; kevin.falcon.mla@leg.bc.ca; premier@gov.bc.ca; mayorea@richmond.ca

Upcoming Events

April Networking Breakfast, Tuesday, April 11th

Last Chance to Register!

Build business relationships and meet potential clients at the Burnaby Board of Trade's April Networking Breakfast. Our "facilitated networking" process ensures four rounds of networking to exchange cards with at least 40 people. The members-only Power Networking Group will follow at 9:00 a.m. This one-on-one, relationship building networking session guarantees participants business referrals.

The breakfast will take place on Tuesday, April 11th from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Executive Hotel Burnaby, located at 4201 Lougheed Highway. Please note that the doors will close at 7:30 a.m. to avoid interruptions. For more information, or to register:

https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=217&action=new

Mayor Corrigan's State of the City Luncheon: Unveiling of the Economic Development Strategy Update, Tuesday, April 18th

Since 1990, the City has made significant strides - from footholds in certain industries to a point of having a demonstrated regional advantage in a number of areas. Mayor Corrigan's 2006 State of the City will address the past, present, and future, including:

How the 1990 Burnaby Economic Development Strategy (EDS) has guided us;
Where key areas of business growth are now; and
Introduce the future vision in the draft Burnaby EDS 2020.

This event will take place on Tuesday, April 18th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Eagle Creek Restaurant at Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, located at 7600 Halifax Street. Thank you to TELUS and Bosa Properties Inc. for their generous sponsorships of this event. For more information, or to register: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=218&action=new

Small Business Breakfast Seminar: "PR Strategies for Small Businesses," Thursday, April 27th

Get the word out about your product or service! Our next speaker, Ruth Atherley, Partner, AHA Creative Strategies Inc. will be discussing PR Strategies for Small Businesses. A well known and respected journalist and feature writer, Ruth has worked with many national publications including Maclean's, The Globe and Mail, Canadian Living, Flare and Chatelaine. More than a decade ago, while maintaining her editorial relationships, she hopped the fence to PR and since then has produced highly successful communications campaigns close to home and around the world. Since then she has developed, managed and implemented highly successful communications campaigns locally, nationally, and internationally with a wide variety of clients in diverse industry sectors.

This Small Business Breakfast Seminar will take place on Thursday, April 27th from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Executive Hotel Burnaby, located at 4201 Lougheed Highway. Thank you to Ad Astra Financial Planning Group Ltd. for their generous sponsorship of this event. For more information, or to register: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=220&action=new

University of Phoenix Reception, Thursday, April 27th

Join us for some socializing, networking and great food with a Russian flair! The University of Phoenix (Burnaby Campus) will be hosting a reception for Burnaby Board of Trade members on Thursday April 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Romanoff’s Restaurant, located at 2830 Bainbridge Avenue in Burnaby. Please join us for canapés and refreshments, a no-host bar, and door prizes! This event is complimentary for members of the Burnaby Board of Trade, but registration is required. Each member is permitted to bring one guest. For more information: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=222&action=new

"High Performance Leadership" Multimedia Workshop Series Featuring Brian Tracy, Wednesday, April 19th

Welcome to the next step on your journey towards personal excellence and high performance leadership. In this exciting program you will learn what it takes to be an effective manager and leader. You will become more focused and effective in every area of your work and personal life. Leaders are made - not born! They are continuously learning and growing. Now is your time to prepare yourself to take on more responsibility, manage more effectively and control the changes coming to your company and industry.

Session Two, on Wednesday, April 19th, will focus on: Superior selection skills: How excellent leaders lead; Key function for managers; and Meeting Management Magic. Subsequent sessions will take place on Thursday, May 18th and Wednesday, June 21st. All sessions will take place from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Burnaby Board of Trade office, located at 201 - 4555 Kingsway. For more information, or to register for these seminars: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=214&action=new

Promotional Opportunities for BBOT Members

Direct Mail Flyer Inserts

Looking for a cost-effective way to promote your business? Every month, the Burnaby Board of Trade sends a mail-out to every one of its members. By inserting a flyer in these mail-outs, you can target your fellow members as potential customers. After all, BBOT members like doing business with their fellow board members. Flier inserts are available at a cost of $175.00 for members, and $250.00 for non-members. Packages of three may be purchased for $420.00 (members only).

Direct Mail Sponsorships

Showcase your business to the entire Burnaby Board of Trade membership! Each month, one Burnaby Board of Trade member will have the opportunity to sponsor our direct mailing. As a Direct Mail sponsor, your logo will be prominently displayed on the lower right corner of the envelope, as well as on the lower right corner of the enclosed letter from Darlene Gering, Executive Director. In addition, you can include a flyer in any two direct mails within a one year period at no extra cost. Direct Mail sponsorship is priced at $500.00 and is available exclusively to members of the Burnaby Board of Trade. Price is exclusive of GST.

Web Banner Ads

The Burnaby Board of Trade website receives over 2500 hits per month! Showcase your business on our website by purchasing a banner ad. Banner ads on high-traffic pages (Home, Members Directory, What’s New and Events) are available for $100 per month. Banner ads on all other pages are available for $60.00 per month. Design of Banner Ads is available in-house for $50.00. All prices are exclusive of GST.

E-Mail Blast Service

Distribute event notifications or business information by e-mail. Our weekly electronic newsletter, "BBOT Update," reaches over 2800 people in the business community. This service is available at a cost of $150.00 for members, and $225.00 for non-members. Monthly package deals (four consecutive weeks) are $480.00 and are available exclusively for Burnaby Board of Trade members. All prices are exclusive of GST. Content is subject to approval by the Burnaby Board of Trade.

For more information: http://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/dyn.Promo_Opportunities.php

Small Business Survey

We would like to invite you to participate in a survey of small business owners in British Columbia. The purpose of the survey is to gather your opinions in order to help enhance the competitiveness of small business in British Columbia. For more information: http://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/dyn.Small_Business_Survey.php

Welcome New Members!

3D Comfort Foam Inc.
Bundled Web
EZ Recruit Canada
Falcon Bay Construction Inc.
Full Line Specialties
Plus One Location Management
TST Porter

New Member Spotlights

3D Custom Foam Inc. specializes in creating sculptural foam products for the theming, entertainment, architectural and construction industries. We transform ideas, drawings, photos and 3D computer files into scaled foam replicas by utilizing 3D laser scanning, 2D/3D computer modeling, 3D CNC routering and 3D CNC hot wiring technology. Although our shop is fully automated, we employ the best hand sculptors, maquette builders, coating experts and painters in the industry. Our state of the art equipment, vast knowledge and wealth of experience ensures that we are consistently recognized as an industry leader.

EZ Recruit Canada is an educational consulting firm registered under the Registrar of Companies Act in British Columbia, Canada. Accordingly, our mission is to facilitate proper Educational and Vocational pathways to our prospective clients primarily from Pacific Rim countries, whereas in partnership with the Canadian Educational Institutions, we strive to achieve our excellence in client satisfaction and trust while promoting our business. Our firm specializes in student recruitment from PolyTechnic studies, trades certificate programs, and public school education (K-1 to grade 12).

Full Line Specialties has been recognized as one of the top 50 promotional companies in Canada and in the top 2% nationwide! With one of the largest showrooms in Western Canada, we can provide you with more product selection and the ability to look and touch... before you buy. Our large volume allows us better buying power, so we can pass those savings on to our customer. We carry more "Brand Name" products so we can be your one-stop supplier. With brand names line like Adidas, Fidra, Cutter & Buck, OGIO, Antigua, Stormtech, Second Skin, On Tour, Nexus, Callaway, Nike, Cleveland and Greg Norman, we’ve got you covered!

Community Events

Preventing Credit Card Fraud Seminar, Wednesday, April 26th

Retailers who do business via the Internet and/or on the phone will want to take advantage of this pilot workshop offered by the BC Crime Prevention Association. This workshop will take place on Wednesday, April 26th from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the BCCPA office, located at 275 - 6450 Roberts Street (Burnaby) behind the Burnaby Winter Club(access off Canada Way & Ledger St).

The workshop, limited to 10 people, will focus on "Card-Not-Present" credit card fraud. Retailers anxious to learn ways of minimizing the risk associated with these transactions will be given tips on verifying customer information and credit card security. If you are concerned about charge backs and want to know how to reduce losses - this is the workshop to attend! The cost is only $20 and includes light refreshments. Come and learn before you open your business. For further information, contact: Bob Munro, Coordinator Business Crime Prevention Programs at BCCPA at 604-291-9959 Ext. 223, or by e-mail at b.munro@bccpa.org.

This seminar is proudly sponsored by the Burnaby Board of Trade.

***

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POWER NETWORKING GROUP (PNG)

POWER NETWORKING GROUP (PNG)
Minutes of Meeting, Mar., 30, 2006

I. Objective
The Burnaby BOT Power Networking Group is a fast paced referral networking group. PNG allows up to 25 members. One person from each profession. There is no membership fee to join PNG, but one must be a member of the Burnaby Board of Trade to qualify for membership.

Our primary objective is to exchange qualified business referrals to help each other grow their business. Number of qualified referrals will be tracked. PNG is also formed to help and support the Burnaby Board of Trade. Monthly meetings are held after the BBOT Breakfast Meeting. Our next meeting will be at 9 am. Tuesday, 11 April 2006 at the Executive Inn after the Burnaby Board of Trade Breakfast Meeting. Visit www.burnabyboardoftrade.com for details.

II. Qualified Referral
Members of the Burnaby BOT Power Networking Group must provide ONE QUALIFIED REFERRAL PER MONTH to any member.
Reminder: A qualified Referral is a business owner/manager/decision maker that you have told about a PNG member, and thus expects to be contacted. It is not a guaranteed sale but it gives greater opportunity to discuss business.


We welcome our guest and new members for the Power Networking Group

III. Featured Business: Velia Tham
Gold Ticket Travel

GOLD TICKET TRAVEL offers world wide, full service, travel consulting. We personalize travel arrangements for individuals and groups. Velia Tham, Principal and Owner, has 30 years hands-on travel experience. She has circumnavigated the globe eight times; accompanied tours world wide; booked complicated itineraries for global executives; and rescued stranded travellers during natural and political turmoil.

Its business partners are ready to use their travel/tour expertise and powerful business network to connect businesses in China with those of Canada, especially Western Canada such as British Columbia and Alberta. In the next few years, major sports events in both sides of the Pacific Ocean, namely Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Winter Olympic 2010 Games in Whistler, Vancouver. Exchanges between Canada and Asia Pacific will intensify and Gold Ticket Travel is set to help businesses in Canada to grasp these golden business opportunities.
· Group Travel planning - tailor-made itineraries to meet business and leisure needs.
· Hotel, Cruise and air reservation - trouble-free and hassle-free one stop booking.
· Tour packages with optional side trips - offering wide range of choices to make the best use of your trip.
· Tour escort arrangement - experienced tour escort available 24 hours. Escort speaks 3 languages: English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
·
IV. Next Featured Business: Alex Au-Yeung
VBNF

Alex is a professional engineer who is also the president of VBNF and CMY Designs. He has over 30 years of experience in the IT Industry specialized in project management, engineering, operations, marketing and quality management. He also holds a patent for an electronics device. Alex enjoys working with people and help people connects. Combining the synergy of CMY Designs and VBNF, VBNF is a now a ONE Stop shop that utilizes the latest IT technologies to provide their members all the marketing needs.
Web: www.vbnf.com
Email: www.alex@vbnf.com.



POWER NETWORKING GROUP (PNG)
Minutes of Meeting, Mar. 30, 2006
V. In Attendance PNG Members:

Tatsuya Naakagawa –Atomica Creative Group
Strategic Marketing Consultancy
Web: www.atomicacreative.com
Email: tnakagawa@aomicacreative.com

Ali Jamal – BBOT
Manager, Membership Sales
Email: ajamal@burnabyboardoftrade.com


Diana hambrook -Burnaby Board of Trade
Events Manager
Email: dhambrook@burnabyboardoftrade.com


Velia Tham –Gold Ticket Travel
Profession Travel Co-ordinator
Web: www.goldtickettravel.net
Email: velia@goldtickettravel.net


Neil Hamilton –Royal LePage North Shore
Independently owned and operated broker
Email: www.realneil@royallepage.ca

Jean Verdi – MBE
Web: www.mbe.ca/325
Email: www.mbe325@mbe.ca

Carl de Jong –Primerica Investments Canada Ltd
Financial advice
Email:www.cdejong@vcn.bc.ca
David Hull -Survey software.ca
Web: www.surbey-hosting.com
Email: d_hull@syrveysoftware.ca

Amanda Lin –Jigsaw Service
Web: www.jigasawserviceltd.com
Email: www.alin@jigsawserviceltd.com


Rachel Sykes – BCIT Student
Marketing Management
Email: www.rsykes4@my.bcit.ca




VII. Referral Sheet
Please take the time to fill the following referral sheet and submit during the next PNG meeting.
BBOT Power Networking Group REFERRAL SHEET
This Power Networking Group Member
______________________________________________
Would like to introduce you to
______________________________________________
Name
______________________________________________
Company
_________________________________________
Notes
______________________________________________
Telephone & Email Address
(TEAR OFF to give to facilitator)



BBOT Power Networking Group
REFERRAL SHEET
To: ______________________________
Name & Company



From: ___________________________
Name & Company

BBOT Members' Trade Show: "Business Creating Business"

On May 10th, the Burnaby Board of Trade will be hosting our first ever Members' Trade Show: "Business Creating Business," at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a fantastic opportunity to network and to showcase your business to the community! Over 75 exhibitors will participate, and over 500 people are expected to attend. Appetizers will be provided, and beverages will be available at the no-host bar.

Display tables are selling fast, and are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Limited prime locations remain. Due to high-demand, advertising deadlines and limited space, we strongly suggest that you register early to avoid disappointment and/or exclusion from promotional opportunities.

All participants who register prior to April 10th will be mentioned in all of our promotional materials for this event, including ads in the Burnaby NOW and on our website. In addition, participants who register prior to April 18th will be invited to a special seminar on "Maximizing your Success at the Trade Show," hosted by Randy Hnatko of Trainwest Management Consulting Inc. This seminar will be held on Wednesday, April 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and is free of charge for all participants.

Display tables are available for our members at a cost of $225. Non-members may reserve tables starting from $425, which includes a one-year membership with the Burnaby Board of Trade. All prices are exclusive of GST.

For more information, or to reserve a display table, please contact Diana Hambrook at 604-412-0100 ext. 3, or by e-mail at dhambrook@burnabyboardoftrade.com.


Upcoming Events

April Networking Breakfast, Tuesday, April 11th
Today is your last chance to register for the special early-bird rate!

Build business relationships and meet potential clients at the Burnaby Board of Trade's April Networking Breakfast. Our "facilitated networking" process ensures four rounds of networking to exchange cards with at least 40 people. The members-only Power Networking Group will follow at 9:00 a.m. This one-on-one, relationship building networking session guarantees participants business referrals.

The breakfast will take place on Tuesday, April 11th from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Executive Hotel Burnaby, located at 4201 Lougheed Highway. Please note that the doors will close at 7:30 a.m. to avoid interruptions. For more information, or to register:

https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=217&action=new


Mayor Corrigan’s State of the City Luncheon: Unveiling of the Economic Development Strategy Update, Tuesday, April 18th

Since 1990, the City has made significant strides - from footholds in certain industries to a point of having a demonstrated regional advantage in a number of areas. Mayor Corrigan’s 2006 State of the City will address the past, present, and future, including:

How the 1990 Burnaby Economic Development Strategy (EDS) has guided us;
Where key areas of business growth are now; and
Introduce the future vision in the draft Burnaby EDS 2020.

This event will take place on Tuesday, April 18th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Eagle Creek Restaurant at Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, located at 7600 Halifax Street. Thank you to TELUS and Bosa Properties Inc. for their generous sponsorship of this event. For more information, or to register: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=218&action=new


Small Business Breakfast Seminar: "PR Strategies for Small Businesses," Thursday, April 27th

Get the word out about your product or service! Our next speaker, Ruth Atherley, Partner, AHA Creative Strategies Inc. will be discussing PR Strategies for Small Businesses. A well known and respected journalist and feature writer, Ruth has worked with many national publications including Maclean’s, The Globe and Mail, Canadian Living, Flare and Chatelaine. More than a decade ago, while maintaining her editorial relationships, she hopped the fence to PR and since then has produced highly successful communications campaigns close to home and around the world. Since then she has developed, managed and implemented highly successful communications campaigns locally, nationally, and internationally with a wide variety of clients in diverse industry sectors.

This Small Business Breakfast Seminar will take place on Thursday, April 27th from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Executive Hotel Burnaby, located at 4201 Lougheed Highway. For more information, or to register: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=220&action=new


University of Phoenix Reception, Thursday, April 27th

Join us for some socializing, networking and great food with a Russian flair! The University of Phoenix (Burnaby Campus) will be hosting a reception for Burnaby Board of Trade members on Thursday April 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Romanoff’s Restaurant, located at 2830 Bainbridge Avenue in Burnaby. Please join us for canapés and refreshments, a no-host bar, and door prizes! This event is complimentary for members of the Burnaby Board of Trade, but registration is required. Each member is permitted to bring one guest. For more information: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=222&action=new


"High Performance Leadership" Multimedia Workshop Series Featuring Brian Tracy, Wednesday, April 19th

Welcome to the next step on your journey towards personal excellence and high performance leadership. In this exciting program you will learn what it takes to be an effective manager and leader. You will become more focused and effective in every area of your work and personal life. Leaders are made - not born! They are continuously learning and growing. Now is your time to prepare yourself to take on more responsibility, manage more effectively and control the changes coming to your company and industry.

Session Two, on Wednesday, April 19th, will focus on: Superior selection skills: How excellent leaders lead; Key function for managers; and Meeting Management Magic. Subsequent sessions will take place on Thursday, May 18th and Wednesday, June 21st. All sessions will take place from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Burnaby Board of Trade office, located at 201 - 4555 Kingsway. For more information, or to register for these seminars: https://www.burnabyboardoftrade.com/cgi-bin/rsvp.cgi?id=214&action=new


Gateway Project Feedback Form:

Please take the time to complete the online feedback form for the Government’s Gateway Program. The form is available at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/gateway/consultation/_form_PortMannFeb7.htm


Sponsorship Opportunities:

The Burnaby Board of Trade has a number of upcoming event sponsorship opportunities available to our members, including our Golf Tournament and Excellence Awards Gala. For more information, please contact Diana Hambrook at 604-412-0100 ext. 3, or by e-mail at dhambrook@burnabyboardoftrade.com.


Special Advertising Opportunity:

Evolution 107.9 fm is now on the air and wants to invite you to help with the launch! Until April 15th, the station is offering a five week run of 30 second ads that will run 42 times per week for only $730.00 + GST. This is an excellent opportunity to get your message out to adults in the GVRD ages 18-24.
For more information, please contact Ron Clarke, Sales Manager, at 604-432-8545.


Welcome New Members!

Chad C. Kwon Notary Public: www.burnabynotary.com
Info Canada: www.infocanada.com
Precision Disk Manufacturing: www.predisk.com

Ugliest Business Card Contest

Thought people might be interested.


Announcing the "Ugliest Business Card Contest "
One winner will receive a business card makeover, including printing of 1000 standard business cards (full colour, front & back)Visit www.syntricdesign.com/contest.html for more details!