AIC Bulletin
IMPORTANT NOTICE: For this meeting, we will be trying a new format to accommodate some feedback on our recent survey. The evening program will start at 7:15pm prompt to allow extra time for each of our members the opportunity to stand and introduce themselves, as we have been doing for our visitors. So please ensure that you arrive for registration before the meeting starts. Depending on how well this format goes over with our members we may consider modifying the Program for future events. We will ask at the end of the meeting for your feedback.
If you know other consultants, send this notice to them. Get them involved!
AIC Meeting: October 27, 2008
Association of Independent Consultants (AIC)
in association with the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP) Presents:
How to Make Love to Your Customers
Presented by:
Saul Colt
Head of Magic, FreshBooks.com
We all suffer at the hands of big nameless/faceless companies who see past you straight to your wallet. As a small guy, that just makes it too easy to exceed your customers expectations. Just pay them attention and treat them well! Be passionate about each and every customer. Just like pink became the "new black", Customer Service is the new marketing. Customer Service is a mindset and the mindset should be to "Make Love to Your Customers".
Of course, you don't win a beau by buying a $200 dinner. It's what you say and do that counts. As an independent, 'you' are your own brand. Don't just do your job for your customer, do your job with gusto! Entertain your customers, teach your customers, do unexpected favours for your customers. Do anything to show you're passionate about them.
Start just by doing the little things that big companies think are too much trouble. Remind your customers how much they mean to you! Take your customer out for lunch, or send them cookies for the holidays, or remember their birthdays.
Then pay attention to what they're saying, even things that have nothing to do with you. We all know about remembering their kid's names, but what about making them smile when they just had a really bad day?
Finally, stay in touch with your customers, even when you have nothing to sell them. Don't make it an on-again off-again relationship. You never know when there is an opportunity for you to help them, or show them how much you care. They'll return the favour!
These are a few of hundreds of great examples that show customers love and when you have that, you'll have an unbeatable competitive edge and a reason for people to refer you!
Visit this link from INC Magazine to read the Blogs on Saul's presentation on this topic "How to Make Love to Your Customers". You don't want to miss it!
http://blog.inc.com/start-up/2008/08/love_is_all_you_need_plus_a_bl.html
Saul Colt likes to build stuff, but since he isn't that handy he chooses to assist in growing great companies. As Zipcar Inc's first international employee, Saul launched the company's first foray into the Canadian market and was instrumental in getting the Toronto operation off the ground. Saul is an accomplished marketing professional, with more than a decade of diverse high-level experience and a respected publisher, having led his company SSS Comics to infamy, super-hero style. When Saul is not working he can be found watching TV or playing spin the bottle.
http://www.freshbooks.com/team/saul
DATE: Monday, October 27, 2008
TIME: Registration 6:45pm
(Programme begins 7:15pm)
PLACE: Hotel (Honestly, they now call it simply HOTEL. It was formerly the Novotel Airport Hotel)
135 Carlingview Drive, Toronto
on-site parking $5.00 ( DO NOT PAY AT THE PARKING KIOSK: Report to the front desk and pay special $5 rate.)
For more information on AIC contact us at: 416-410-8163 or by e-mail at info@aiconsult.ca or visit http://www.aiconsult.ca/
Meeting Fees: AIC & SIP Members $10.00 Visitors $25.00
AIC, SIP, MTA and XL Toronto Members must show their membership cards at the door to get the special member rate.
Special offer! If you're an AIC Member, and you bring a guest, you get in together for only $20 total. (Save $15) Member and guest must register together to get this discount.
VISITORS PRE-REGISTER ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL BY OCTOBER 26 AND RECIEVE A 20% REDUCTION (DISCOUNTS ARE NOT COMBINABLE)
MEMBERS PRE-REGISTER ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL BY OCTOBER 26 AND HELP US REDUCE LINE UPS AT THE DOOR
NOTE: If you're having technical difficulties pre-registering on-line, please send us an e-mail directly at finance1@aiconsult.ca stating your problem and requesting a manual registration.
Cancellations must be received by e-mail to the VP Finance at least 24 hours before the event, otherwise the fee is forfeited.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: AIC meetings may qualify for up to 3 hours of CPLD credits for the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario
Marketing Opportunities
Open to members and non-members alike
Increase your visibility at a great price with our sponsorship opportunities!
Increase your visibility and reach by sponsoring either the monthly AIC meeting or the AIC Bulletin (our monthly newsletter).
AIC Bulletin
- One sponsor per issue.
- Your logo (up to a 1” visual)
- Up to 100 words describing your services.
Cost per issue: Members $75. Non-members $125.
Total newsletter distribution 1,800+.
Monthly AIC meeting
- Display your company signage at meeting (size restrictions apply)
- Two minutes at meeting to talk about your business at the beginning of the meeting.
- Your sponsorship listed in two AIC e-mail meeting notices (Not the AIC Bulletin which is reserved for the newsletter sponsor)
Cost per meeting: Members $125. Non-members $250.
OTHER GREAT EVENTS
Cloud Computing an IT Paradigm Shift: Feburary 11, 2009
AIC members receive a 10% discount to the Cloud Computing conference.
Cloud computing is Internet ('cloud') based development and use of computer technology ('computing'). The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet (based on
how it is depicted in computer network diagrams) and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals.
Cloud Computing means that one day you will be able to use the internet to run programs such as word editors and spreadsheet applications.
For more information http://www.itcloudconference.com/
The Society of Internet Professionals (SIP)
SIP Benefit now available to AIC Members
The Society of Internet Professionals (SIP) is pleased to announce that some of our affinity programs are available to AIC Members:
Your Profile Website
Marketing and promotion starts with you, more specifically with your name. Having your own URL is a great way to get your name out there and to start promoting yourself.
If you google your own name and it is not listed on the first page in the search engine results, then you may want to consider having your own URL. It represents permanence, professionalism and a brand. The added benefit is that it is independent of your ISP, which you may change at some point.
SIP has put together a program for non-web designers to create a website with an email under their domain name.
Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS): Toronto Chapter
Social Network Marketing for Speakers, Facilitators, Trainers and Consultants
How to Build Your Business Through Social Networking and Web 2.0
November 10, 2008
6:30-9:30pm (registration 6:15pm)
Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel Suites & Conference Centre, 600 Highway 7 East (at Highways 404 & 7), Richmond Hill, Ontario
Member's evening fee included in membership. Visitor's evening fee $60.00.
Click here to go to the CAPS Toronto website
The Mississauga Technology Association (MTA):
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Tue. Oct. 21, 2008 |
Refunds for R&D Costs ?
Did you know that the SR&ED Program is a government incentive which helps businesses by refunding upto 41.5% of R&D costs. To find out more about this exciting opportunity please register for the event.
XL Results Toronto
Thursday November 6th at 7:00 pm - Toronto Momentum with Marcia Martin
Friday November 7th at 7:15 am - Toronto Breakfast with Marcia Martin
For more information on XL Results Toronto's next event, visit www.xlresultscanada.com
The Association of Independent Consultants is a Canadian, federally-registered, not-for-profit organization, run by its members for its members. This e-mail is sent to members of AIC and others who have requested to be on our contact list. We do not under any circumstances share this list with anyone else. Anyone who no longer wishes to receive our notices and announcements may reply to this e-mail and in the subject line ask to be taken off the list.