Kitty Candyland: The Official Kitty Card Launch Party

More business decisions occur over lunch and dinner than any other time, yet no MBA courses are given on the subject – Peter Drucker

As entrepreneur, it is very easy to stay in the confine of your office and spend endless amount of hours at work but it is important to remember we need to go outside of the four walls to talk to potential customers, users and partners.  It is also a well-deserved break that is oh so very necessary after a long hard working day.  We will be covering networking events around Vancouver that are fun, affordable and presents opportunities to build your network.  Get to know some of the faces of the people we are highlighting, they are doing great things in Vancouver and you probably want to get to know them.  Tell them you met them through The Network Hub!

Kitty Candyland is the launch party of Vancouver’s only luxury lifestyle membership for women – The Kitty Card.   With The Kitty Card, you can spoil yourself with discounted deals from different stores.  Kitty Candyland was exactly what was described on the invite – carnival-style cocktail party!

The candy bar – all pink of course!

Jeff Swan (@jeffswan18) from The Kitty Card and the kitties at The Kitty Card booth

Yvonne Lum (@ylizabeth) from The Network Hub, Anna Ou, Cindy Guan

Alisha Mann (@amventures) of AM Ventures and Robin Dhir, VP of Twin Brook Developments

Amanda Panes and Victoria Wong – the ladies of themodline.com (@theMODLINE)

Congrats The Kitty Card on your launch!  Best wishes from our team at The Network Hub!!!

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Networking your way to success

John Donne famously said, “No man is an island”. When it comes to entrepreneurs this statement is absolutely true. Business involves exchanges of goods or services for money (or other goods and services in the case of bartering) and is based upon relationships. To do business you must connect, and the best way to connect is through networking. Just putting up a website or printing business cards is no more effective than putting a sign in the front yard. Networking puts a face on your brand. Your contacts will become your customers, clients and sources of referrals. Without them you are trying to function in isolation—making yourself a business island.

Ideally your networking will include a good mix of formal networking, informal and one-to-one networking and social networking through technology. By blending the approaches you can increase your chances of success. For example, formal networking events like the Vancouver Entrepreneur Meetup give you access to a group of professionals who arrive ready and willing to network. They are there to share and listen and are super receptive. One-on-one meetings give you the chance to get more in depth with your contacts and to really delve into how you can create win-win opportunities. When possible try to schedule at least one of these during your formal event. In other words leave the Meetup with more than a handful of cards. Finally be sure to add technology based options to your networking blend. Social media sites allow you to exchange information with and connect with people from all over the world. You can stay in touch ‘round the clock and provide up to the minute updates on your newest projects and products.

People can’t engage you for projects or buy your products if they don’t know anything about you. Networking skills are what set the successful apart from the entrepreneurs who struggle.

About the author: “Karen Southall Watts has been training and coaching entrepreneurs for over a decade. She teaches business courses for Bellingham Technical College.”

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Who’s afraid of networking?

Life is about connections. Business doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens between people. Networking is a key function in almost every business and career, so what keeps us from doing it? Perhaps it’s our lack of understanding of the networking process. Or maybe it’s our fears, many unfounded, about doing it just right. Here are some of the most common stumbling blocks to networking

• It’s a waste of my time—it is hard for me to believe, but there are still some people who don’t see the value of networking. After over a decade of teaching and coaching entrepreneurs I still have to point out that personal brilliance or product novelty is simply not enough to create success.
• I won’t have anything to say—that’s okay, because some of the best networkers are great listeners. Real connections are made through conversations and not through elevator speeches.
• Everyone there will be trying to sell me something—how do you know that? There are lots of reasons for networking and one of the best is creating your “team”. Networking helps business owners to find that perfect accountant, real estate agent, or PR expert. Think of all the people who are shopping and not selling and you’ll feel more confident.
• I’m too shy—you don’t have to be “the life of the party” to be a good networker. There are no rules that state you need to meet everyone in the room or be the last to leave either. That’s the great thing about networking; it’s about building relationships and not sticking to a rule book. Focus on meeting a couple of people at each event and really connecting.

 About the author: “Karen Southall Watts has been training and coaching entrepreneurs for over a decade. She teaches business courses for Bellingham Technical College.”

Posted via email from minna's posterous