• President’s message: New momentum builds for RPCN
  
• RPCN business matchmaking event
  
• Making your business better
  
• Upcoming events

New momentum builds for RPCN

By David Powe, RPCN President

“Enthusiasm is the energy and force that builds literal momentum of the soul and mind.”
        –Bryant H. McGill

If you have attended any of our recent meetings or events, I know you can feel it. I can. A new energy and momentum is taking hold in RPCN. Attendance is up at our programs and new members are joining. More importantly, the networking and collaboration among members and guests is evident.

This isn’t happening by accident or coincidence. This is the result of an intentional effort, led by our board, to increase the value of membership in our organization. The Program Committee continues to drive our “learn from the best” series with exceptionally high-quality speakers. Our Operations Committee has developed innovative special events. We are building alliances with key players in the regional business community. The effectiveness of our business and technical forums attracts guests and new members each month.

We recently revived our Membership Committee, which has revamped the way we welcome guests and invite them to be members. Every visitor gets a personal follow-up from an officer or board member. Committee members are now working on ways to improve retention of lapsed or inactive members.

At our May board meeting, we approved a strategic plan that will continue to build this momentum. To bring this plan to life, the 2016–17 officers and board need your enthusiastic support. If you haven’t been to a program or event recently, make the time to attend one. If you are regularly participating in events, invite guests and inactive members to join you. And, of course, please volunteer to be on one of the committees that are making this happen.

RPCN is on the move. Help us keep it going!

Time management
Meticulous time management can help you arrive on time for engagements and have more “you” time or more time with family, writes Annmarie Depoian. Keeping a time-oriented calendar can help you identify important roles, goals and priorities. Read more in her Democrat and Chronicle article.

Clear the clutter
On a related topic, Bob Whipple writes about developing systems to reduce physical, as well as mental, clutter in his blog Clean Out Your Clutter. He offers tips on how to get a handle on clutter and remove much of it from your life.

LinkedIn profile page
In the RPCN LinkedIn group, Sandra Glanton posted this helpful blog about adding a background photo to your LinkedIn profile page. Have you set up your background image? A good background image will engage viewers and make them want to learn more about you. Read more in 10 Smart & Easy LinkedIn Backgrounds.

Technical Forum
Friday, June 3, 2016; 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM; Pittsford Community Library

Steve Royal facilitates this informal, roundtable discussion about any technical issues that consultants encounter in running their businesses, including computers, the Internet and phones. Wondering what kind of questions people are asking? For a list from recent forums, click here.

Write That Blog
Friday, June 10, 2016; 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM; NeighborWorks, 570 South Avenue, Rochester

Why write a blog? In this presentation by Melissa Hopkins, you will find out how to use a blog to promote your business, engage with colleagues and connect with clients. This is an interactive workshop, so attendees will have a chance to explore ideas, take a stab and write a draft. Remember: Before grammar, there’s gusto. Begin anywhere.

Business Forum
Friday, June 17, 2016; 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM; Pittsford Community Library

Bob Lurz facilitates this informal roundtable discussion of issues about starting or running a consulting business. Wondering what kind of questions people are asking? Click here for a list from recent forums.

RPCN Board Meeting
Friday, June 17, 2016; 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.

RPCN Business Matchmaking Event
Wednesday, June 22, 2016; 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM; Brook Lea Country Club, 891 Pixley Road, Gates

Join us for a fun evening to meet other entrepreneurs. This unique speed-networking event is sure to increase your contacts, grow your visibility and possibly grow your business. Presented by RPCN in conjunction with IEC, Eastman Business Park and Roc POWER Group.

Advantages and Applications of Design Thinking
Friday, June 24, 2016; 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM; NeighborWorks, 570 South Avenue, Rochester

Design thinking provides practical approaches on how to innovate, by establishing a process and set of necessary conditions for breakthrough thinking to occur. You’ll hear real-life examples of how design thinking has been successfully used for everything from the smallest process improvements to the most ambitious of inventions. In this presentation by marketing professional Steve Simpson, you will learn how to apply design thinking principles and practices to your projects and day-to-day activity.

We want you!

The RPCN newsletter welcomes news, success stories, tips, resources, events and other items that would be of broad interest to consultants. Submit a newsletter item by email to the Newsletter 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 Newsletter Committee: Janice Hanson, Chair; Ruth E. Thaler-Carter; Steve Royal; Mary DeFranco; Sheryl Rhodes. Please send articles for the July newsletter by June 15.