Newsletter—May 2012

President’s Message

I think we’ve finally broken the back of winter and it’s now time for that gloriously short respite from winter that we get in the Great White North. Next week is the “traditional” kickoff of spring/summer—the Victoria Day weekend—followed on the next Monday by our May event (on May 28th). I hope that you’re all not starting your vacations yet and you’ll make it to the Crowne Plaza on the 28th when Rhonda Page will present on “Three Major Misconceptions about Branding—that are slowing your sales!” (More information over here).

Guest blogging
Last month I was reading a couple of articles on the benefits of writing a guest column on someone else’s blog (or on hosting a few guests on your own). It certainly is one way to get your name, consulting practice and expertise out there to a new audience–another form of networking. So if you do like to write a guest piece every once in a while (or even have a few stored up!) why don’t you add “guest blogger” to your membership profile hereat our site. (Not a member? You can rectify that here.)

Coffee, anyone?
Spring weather means that restaurant patios will be open soon (if they aren’t already). What a great reason to call up a fellow AIC member or someone that you met at one of our events and meet for coffee. This hasn’t been as brutal a winter in the GTA as some of them in the past, but I’ll take any chance for some fresh air and sunlight. Send me an invite  (president1aiconsultca)   and I’ll be happy to join you.

At our last event

In May, Chala Dincoy presented a terrific evening entitled “Attract not attack…a gentle way to get clients”. For those who didn’t make it to the evening, (or didn’t take any notes) Chala provided us with this summary of her remarks:

The first step to getting clients to chase you is to have a clear brand character. A brand character is a set of human characteristics that are attributable to a service or product.

The second step is to pick a very specific WHO you help and WHAT you sell to help them (your niche).

After that, the next step is to get in front of your WHO so that you can talk about their pain that relates to how you help them. For example, I’m a small business marketing coach who works with “basement people” (home based office solopreneurs that are service based), my message is about how confused and exhausted most small businesses are about figuring out their marketing so that they can find more clients.

Next, find your clients’ world. What associations, meetings and groups do they belong to and frequent where you can intercept them with your messaging?

Once you’ve determined your brand character, your niche, your messaging and where your clients are hanging out, then all you have to work on is your attractive mindset. Then you can experience the thrill of being chased by clients.

For more information on Chala, you can follow her on Twitter, friend her on Facebook  or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Golf Day with the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce

For a couple of years now, some AIC members have asked the Board about arranging a daytime event–a golfing day–since it’s one of the premiere venues for great one-on-one networking. Well, we’ve finally done it!

AIC’s Marketing Partner, the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce (RHCOC), is hosting it’s 32nd annual golf tournament on Tuesday May 29th, 2012 at the Richmond Hill Golf Club (8755 Bathurst St, Richmond Hill)(just north of Hwy 7).

AIC members get a $20.00 discount off the price of tournament (if you don’t golf, there is a lunch/reception from 1:00-4:00pm, but there’s no discount available). The reception costs $50.00.

For more information check out the RHCOC website.

AIC will also have a booth at one of the holes on the course and we’ll need a couple of volunteers to help out. If you’re interested, contact Lawrence  (president1aiconsultca)   ASAP. (A free lunch for those helping out at the event is unfortunately NOT included).

Website update

As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, we rolled out an update to our website early in March. At that time members could not update their profile online, but that feature is now working again. In answer to a question that came up at our last event – if you’re a speaker then add the word “speaker” and the subjects that you talk about to your profile and you’ll show up in the speaker search.

Board News

Once again, the press of business has reduced our Board ranks and opened up two vacancies—Vice-President of Programming and Vice-President of Publicity/Promotion. We are sorry to see the incumbents leave, and wish Anas (VP Programming) and Ell (VP Publicity/Promotion) all the best in the future. If you are interested in either of these two positions, please contact our me  (president1aiconsultca)   ASAP!

Interesting Articles and Links

Try these out at your next AIC event “Non-Awkward Ways To Start And End Networking Conversations” by Jessica Taylor at Forbes Online.

I’m not sure if this is a sign of the times, but Daria Steigman (@DariaSteigman) writes about “Have You Ever Had a Deadbeat Client?” in this Independent Thinking blog post.

Advice for all of us, men & women alike “DOs and DON’Ts for Female Entrepreneurs From Digital Media Guru Natalie MacNeil“.

The title of this one says it all: “Three Things Professional Women Should Stop Apologizing For” from Fast Company.

Turn downtime into worktime? Maybe, but sometimes I just need to “veg out”; from the Time Management Ninja “How to be productive where you least expect it“.

Quote of the Month

Something key to all entrepreneurs:

To make a great discovery or create a key invention, study what the most respected authorities agree can not—then do it.

Arthur C. Clarke, quoted by Robert A. Heinlein in “The Number of the Beast”

Professional Development Credits

AIC's events may quality as Continuing Professional Education/Development credits for the Society of Management Accountants (Ontario) and the Certifed General Accountants of Ontario.

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The Association of Independent Consultants (AIC) is a Canadian, federally-registered, not-for-profit organization, run by members for members.

Learn more about AIC by phone (416-410-8163), email or online. We're also on Twitter at @aiconsult and we have a discussion group on LinkedIn.