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December 27, 2017
Why Networking Events CAN Transform Your Business

You never know who you are sitting beside at a networking event and how that person (and her influence) may be the best thing this year for your business.

Far too often, people talk to and schmooze with the people they already know, are Facebook friends with, or saw at a different event a week ago instead of making new connections and building new relationships. While it is important to keep those recent connections strong, you can do this briefly saying how nice it is to see them again and introduce yourself to the person/people they are with. Also, make sure that you connect with the people at your table. Be curious, ask questions, and show genuine interest in learning about the people you are sitting with.

Over the years, I have met clients, sponsors, and project partners at networking events. It is what happens after the event that can transform your business. Make notes on the back of business cards you receive. I write what I learned about the person (e.g. they have a dog, love the show America’s Got Talent, and are going to Mexico for vacation in June) on the card. I create a task for myself in the project management system our team uses (Asana) or in my Google Calendar to follow up with the person after the networking event. Then, perhaps in June after their vacation, I send a short note in LinkedIn or through social media to ask how their vacation was.

This kind of attention shows that you listened, you cared, and that you took time to build a relationship. It also shows that individual what you are like to do business with. I use the CamCard app on my phone to copy the business cards and put them into my phone contact list. Once back in the office, I also connect with them on LinkedIn (that way, if they ever change their email address, you are still connected to them, and their LinkedIn profile tells you a lot more about the person).

Here’s our system for maximizing the value of networking events:

  1. Ensure you are connected with the event organizer, speakers, and emcee, etc. on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter before you attend the event.
  2. Bring business cards. You would be surprised how many people do not bring business cards… what a missed opportunity! If you don’t have business cards, connect with them on Facebook and LinkedIn at the event.
  3. Be active on the event’s social media and event pages before you attend.
  4. Be a champion for the event host.
  5. Follow up after the event.
  6. Have fun and build relationships… Talk to strangers!

Charmaine Hammond, Raise A Dream
www.raiseadream.com

October 24, 2017
Retro-Chic Enthusiast & Honorary Captain: Mandy Farmer

Where did the inspiration for retro chic Hotel Zed come from?
 
As a business traveler on the road I was always amazed at how boring hotels could be… where was the fun?! On those trips I started dreaming up ideas as to how to transform a hotel into a completely unordinary experience. I coupled this with a love of mid century modernism and Hotel Zed was born.
 
Accent Inns is a family business. What #1 piece of advice do you have for others working in a family business?
 
The success my father and I have had in our family business is due to mutual respect and lots of love. We got creative as to how to make it work for both of us and made sure that we always had each other’s best interests at heart. We still do and it has been such a wonderful experience to have your dad as your not only your business partner but your friend.
 
Have you had a mentor or been a mentor? Should everyone have one? Why or why not?
 
Everyone should be a mentor and have a mentor. I find that the young people I mentor always end up teaching me way more than I’ve ever taught them; I’m really just there to give them encouragement when their doubts start taking over their heads.
 
What sparked your love of bikes?
 
I adore being out in the woods on my mountain bike. It’s a great place to think and spend time with loved ones.
 
What book(s) are you reading right now and what have you learned from them?
 
I’m the type of person that has a few books on the go, depending on what mood I’m in. Tim Ferris‘ Tools of Titans is pretty killer. It has so many little gems in it that either spark ideas or inspire me to do things differently. And The Awakened Family is a book on Conscious Parenting that is useful for being more mindful in all aspects of my life, not just parenting.
 
If you were to give a piece of advice to someone opening a business, what would you say?
 
The most important marketing is the actual product.
 
If you had to pick two of your top business focuses everyday, what would they be?
 
I love innovating and coming up with a crazy idea, noodling it around, bouncing it off other people and then building a plan of implementation. Second business focus is thanking my amazing team for the stellar job they do. They run an awesome company, I just cheer them on.
 
On social media, who do you follow and what influences do they have?
 
I am not really on social media as I find it distracts me from my goals. I do however seek out podcasts from Tara Brach on Mindfullness (perfect for folding the laundry). She inspires me to stop narrating a bizarre story in my head and open to the beauty of right here right now.
 
Have you had any major setbacks? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?
 
I believe that out of any misfortune can come an opportunity for awesomeness. I applied this to my life in many instances that were without a doubt positive game changers for me yet at the time they were catastrophes: flunking out of a 4th year university class in my last semester, giving birth to a stillborn, overcoming an eating disorder. These “disasters” are some of the best things that ever happened to me. They instilled a resilience and strength in me that is fierce yet still soft.
 
As an Honorary Captain in the Canadian Navy, tell us a bit about your military experience and how it ties into your business.
 
What a crazy ride I am on! I have no previous military experience and honestly, this does not tie into my business at all. What I love about the position of Honorary Captain is that I am serving the men and women who serve all of us Canadians. It is my chance to say thank you and let them know how grateful we are as Canadians for the amazing job they do keeping our commerce waterways safe, our waters free of drug dealers, first responders for any natural disaster, and so much more. It’s an honor to serve them.

October 17, 2017
Spotlight on Charmaine: Bestselling Author and Sponsorship Leader

What inspired you to transition from being a correctional officer to a business woman?
 
It’s quite an unusual inspiration. We moved from Ontario to Fort McMurray and at the time the jail was not open for business, so there was no job for me to transfer to. So I took a job as an Executive director of a women’s crisis facility/shelter and went back to school part time (then took a job with the government). Then I became a mediator and opened a mediation and consulting business.
 
When writing a book, what tools or exercises do you use to keep focused?
 
Dedicated time to actually write, otherwise life takes over and writing makes it’s way to the bottom of the pile of to do items. I also learned I am a way better talker than writer… so I talked my book. I recorded my whole book (me talking) then had it transcribed, and also used Dragon Speak.
 
What is your favorite part of speaking and going on tour?
 
Hands down… the people I meet, the relationships I build, and the opportunity to be so moved by the stories of the people I meet.
 
Is there a piece of advice or a quote that has inspired you?
 
I love Oscar Wilde who said “be yourself because everyone else is already taken” (although I recently heard he did not coin that quote). Whoever created this brilliance, I love it! As a formerly shy kid who never fit in… this quote reminds me every day that I don’t have to be someone else. I just have to be me.
 
What is your biggest business goal?
 
Right now it is to scale the business in even a bigger way. My overall guiding mission is to help one million people raise their dreams!
 
Have you had any setbacks that have made your business stronger or wiser?
 
Sooooooo many learning experiences and mistakes that turned into blessings. The things that have created setbacks are: jumping ahead without a plan, working alone instead of with other people (it takes a team to raise a dream) and trying to push the wrong goal uphill. When I am off purpose this is how it feels.
 
When you started your business, is there anything you know now that you wish you knew then?
 
Yes, I could write ten books on this. I would have asked for help sooner and built my team earlier on.
 
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement to date?
 
Being able to design a life I love, working with people I adore and who we bring out the best in each other, and being married to my best friend for 23 years.
 
What is your favorite business quote?
 
It takes a team to raise a dream! (By Rebecca and Charmaine)

August 29, 2017
Keller Williams Realty & Queer as Funk: An Interview with Connie Buna, Featured Speaker

Connie Buna will be one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Women in the Spotlight Dinner presented by Pink Velvet Couch Productions and Pamela Chatry at the Best Western Plus Chateau Granville in Vancouver, BC on September 27th.

How did you know you wanted to become a realtor and a lead singer?

Music has always been a part of my life. I come from a musical family where singing and playing music together was an almost daily occurrence. To be honest, prior to singing in Queer As Funk, I’d never been in a band. This experience has come about out of a series of serendipitous events paving the way to a really incredible opportunity.

When I purchased by first home I was 25 years old and had recently graduated university with an ever-so-marketable Political Science degree. I was working at Bell Canada in a sales capacity and was really impressed by the care and diligence of our Realtor. What occurred to me at the time was that he was doing a job that clearly required a high degree of skill and care, however I too could do this work. Being a Realtor has allowed me to take complete control of my career and my opportunities as an entrepreneur.

How do you juggle the two passions while maintaining a family?

Juggling is the perfect analogy to describe the balance between owning a brokerage, running a real estate team, singing in a band and being a mother and wife. One word: leverage, makes this possible. I have surrounded myself with people who believe in a shared vision and together we can handle all of the work that is required to keep these areas healthy, successful and thriving. Very truly none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of my wife Taryn who is my closest confidant. She genuinely keeps our keeps our ship sailing on an even keel. This stability allows everything else to be possible.

What’s your biggest achievement in your business?

Keller Williams Realty is the largest Real Estate Company in the world. My biggest business achievement thus far has been opening the first Keller Williams brokerage in Vancouver, BC.

What are the most important skills to have in leading and motivating people?

Talk less, listen more and lead by example.

What is your goal for your real estate dreams?

I have a number of different goals with respect to real estate. For our brokerage, we will be the agency of choice for Realtors that want to build a stable and reliable real estate business build on a foundation of cutting-edge technology and continual education. For our real estate practice, to continue to service our clients with the utmost still and care, while pushing the industry in a direction where we can all be proud of the professionalism and expertise we offer to the marketplace.

What inspires you to keep going in your day-to-day business life?

My inspiration is in the people around me who share my vision. We are working hard together to make an impact on our families, our community and our industry.

Are you currently reading any books that inspire you?

I’m reading an excellent book right now called “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. It’s a fantastic book by a former hostage negotiator and FBI agent that shares practical negotiation tools that you can use from the boardroom table to the kitchen table.

On social media, who do you follow?

I’m all over the map with who I follow on Social Media. I love Frances Bula, Imani Gandy, Lanefab, Roxane Gay, Anna Kendrick, VancouverIsAwesome, and Scout Magazine to name a few.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself before entering the world of business?

Set BIG GOALS! Focus on abundance, not scarcity.

What’s your favorite business quote?

“Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls– family, health, friends, integrity– are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.” Gary Keller

How has failure helped you?

Failure is an amazing teacher. It keeps me humble, focused and determined. We are failing forward every day.

Tell us a little about how your band came to be.

Our band came together as a few good friends getting together for drinks and laughing about an audacious idea. At my wedding, around that same time, I sang a song to my wife. It was a song and a style of singing totally out of my comfort zone and to the surprise of all of my friends and family (and me too frankly) I can really belt out a tune. And the rest, as they say, is history.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Connie is an entrepreneur with a passion for housing stability, LGBTQ/2S rights and social justice. As a brokerage owner she is changing the business of Real Estate in Vancouver one agent at a time. Keller Williams Realty is built upon a foundation of education, ethical business practice and collaboration.

As a Realtor, Connie is best known for her integrity, strategic insight and commitment to the best interest of her clients above all else. Connie is also an entertainer in the popular Vancouver-based cover band Queer as Funk and delights in getting a room off their feet, dancing and singing to soulful tunes both old and new. Connie lives in Vancouver with her wife Taryn and their daughter Maelle. 

Join us September 27th at the Women in the Spotlight Dinner at the Best Western Plus Chateau Granville and hear more from Lori Joyce and Connie Buna!

August 22, 2017
To Attend or Not to Attend? Strategies for Choosing the Right Conferences and Events for Your Business

As business owners, our inbox is often inundated with invitations to attend conferences and events that promise to educate us and connect us to the right people. We often deal with the deluge of emails by either deleting them all without looking, or by wasting considerable time trying to decide where to spend the money, and if we should register. It can be an expensive gamble. We won’t find out if an event is worth it until the money is spent, and the time invested.
 
So, how can we make a more qualified decision to register for that conference that will guarantee a return on the investment of our personal time and company money?
 
Here are 6 strategic planning steps that may help the next time another event notice pops into your inbox.
 
1. Is the cost in the yearly marketing budget? If you don’t have one, create a budget for educational and marketing activities. It will help prioritize where your money should be spent.
 
2. What are your company educational goals for the year? Before agreeing to a conference or event, examine your company priorities. Does an employee require advanced training? Do they need to be certified or up-graded in a specialized skill? Will you be needing any CRM, (such as Infusionsoft), or up-grades this year? If so, be sure and budget for these. They can be quite costly but necessary.
 
3. “If we aren’t there, will our competition be?” Closely examine your marketing plan, looking at both past and planned activities. Do you know where your best customers come from? For example: If your company benefits from attending trade shows, then plan for it. Prioritize important events and add these to the marketing budget.
 
4. Was there a return on investment at past events? History speaks very loud if you listen. Were there new customers or great leads? Eliminate events that didn’t work. Track the money and the time spent on each activity. Review the results and make decisions based upon them.
 
5. What interests you about the event? Why do you want to be there? Do you, as the leader, need a new injection of inspiration or motivation? Is it the speaker, the topics or the time with peers? Will your target market be there? If the company can afford it, budget for spontaneous events.
 
6. Track results. Did you walk away with useful information or education that can be shared with employees? Did you enjoy stimulating conversation with like-minded people? Do you feel happier and more motivated? Do you have solid sales leads? Was the money spent worth it and do you want to put it in the budget for next year? Make note of the results. Next year add it to the marketing plan, (or not), and budget accordingly.

February 23, 2015
Join me at Frock-alicious by Design March 6

Frock-alicious by Design

Posted from Frock-alicious by Design

It’s almost here. We’re so excited! Frock-alicious by Design is less than two weeks away! Today we are spotlighting Pamela Chatry, well-respected business manager extraordinaire and our Frock-alicious emcee.

Frock-alicious by Design Speaker Spotlight

Pamela Chatry, Vancouver Chair, The Woman’s Advantage Forum

  • Did you know that there are over 800,000 women-owned business in Canada?
  • Did you know that 1/3 of all women-run enterprises generate less than $50,000 in annual revenue?
  • Did you know that most women give up, thinking it’s not possible to ever reach the $1MM mark?

It is possible to get there. It takes a driven woman and a structured approach. Pamela will share with you some easy to implement tips to help your business get to the next level – whatever your goals are.

 

Pamela ChatryPamela Chatry has been a trusted and highly respected Business Growth and Profitability Specialist, Mentor for Women in Business, Self-Employment Advocate, Trainer and Keynote Speaker for over 25 years. Pamela’s clients cross international borders and industries. They all share one important similarity, a driving desire to build a bigger and better business.

Pamela is the Vancouver Chair of The Woman’s Advantage Forum, a structured program that enables women with small businesses to grow them to million-dollar businesses and beyond. She is also a seasoned Business Coach for the international business development program, The Gemini Effect. This program provides established businesses with revenues exceeding $1M with planning and implementation support during challenging growth phases.

In addition, Pamela is a Mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation International Women In Business Program. She has been awarded the ‘Business Person of the Year’ award from the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce in Vancouver, BC, the ‘Inspiring Transformation’ award by eWomenNetwork.

An ardent supporter of all things entrepreneurial, Pamela’s mission is to see the entrepreneurial spirit soar in small business owners across the globe.

Frock-alicious by Design is a powerful day of growth for your life and business. Who do you know who would appreciate knowing about this event? Make a difference in their lives. Share this video with them today.

Jo - Frock-allcious by Design

April 17, 2013
Show up and Make the Effort…The Sandra Yancey Way!

I hear it all the time…too busy to attend events or too busy to sit down have coffee or make calls. It seems that so many women in business are just too busy for everything! Yesterday, I was reminded once again why it is so important to not only show up but be really present in the moment.

I attended the Women’s Success Summit, hosted by eWomenNetwork and Sandra Yancey, Founder and CEO. This is the largest women’s networking group in North America with 118 chapters, producing over 2000 events a year and is the largest women’s business event company in the world. She has built a multi-million dollar company in only 12 short years!!!

Sandra has a North American chapter tour that she creates every year that seems to take her to Canada, back to the states and then back to Canada, covering at least 50% of her chapters. The schedule looks grueling but she does it all with a smile and what she thought yesterday was a broken toe. Ouch!!! Why does she put herself through this every year?

Because this tour gives her the opportunity to hear and meet her members and guests! She is connecting with the roots of her company and it ignites her once again to go back to the corporate office and keep doing what she is doing. Sandra is passionate about the supporting the women she meets, continuing to create opportunity to her vast group of influence friends and of course, stay innovative and creative in eWomenNetwork offerings.

Not much of this would happen if she just stayed in Dallas and waited for the masses to come to the annual conference in August. It keeps her tuned into the heart of what her company was built upon…women and business.

Business Owners…Now do you see why you need to show up for those events, engage in dialogues with interesting people and to quote Sandra, “If you want people to show up and support you, YOU have to make the effort.” Come on people…get out of your offices and enjoy the journey! Sandra does…

Copyright Pamela Chatry 2017. All Rights Reserved