for April 6, 2010
Volume 1 Issue 4
In this issue:
- Upcoming events
- Community news
- Networking - Critical Step in Marketing
- Program to save your business money
- Alumni Celebration at NSCC
Upcoming Events - BACC
Join us on Friday, April 9th, 2010 for lunch with the Nova Scotia
Finance Minister, Graham Steele. Minister Steele will share insights into the Nova Scotia spring budget being introduced on Tuesday, April 6th. After his presentation Minister Steele will answer questions in the time remaining.
Where: Cranberry's Restaurant at the Fairview Inn, Queen Street, Bridgewater, NS
When: Friday, April 9th from Noon to 1:30. Registration at 11:30
Cost: $ 20.00, reservations required, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 543-4263.
BACC
AGM is planned for June 17, 2010. Please mark your calendars for this breakfast event. Your attendance is important. More details will be provided as they are confirmed.
In Your Community
Bridgewater is enjoying positive growth in so many ways. Attend this complimentary breakfast event to learn about what's been happening, who's been involved, what's yet to come, and how you can be a part of the progress!
When: Thursday April 22, 2010
(7:30 AM – 9:30 AM).
Doors open at 7:00 AM
Where: Michelin Social Club, Bridgewater NS
Please RSVP by calling 527-6278 or by visiting
Presented by:
The Bridgewater Development Association and the Town of Bridgewater. A project of the BDA's Marketing and Business Development Action Team.
You’re invited to an Alumni Celebration
Visit the NSCC Lunenburg Campus and discover how much we have changed. Meet faculty and staff, past and present, and the students who fill our campus with energy and purpose today.
EVENTS:
Thursday, April 8, 2010
1 – 8 pm Open House & Campus Tours
4 – 6 pm Alumni & Friends BBQ
5 – 7 pm Reminisce With Friends
Friday, April 9, 2010
NSCC Alumni & Friends Dinner
6 pm Reception
7 pm Dinner
RSVP: (902) 543-4608
Limited Seats
Dinner Tickets $25.00*
*Proceeds from this event will support student awards and bursaries.
Saving Money
Did you know that lighting could account for more than50%of your power bill?
By making the switch from traditional lights, to more efficient technology, you could save energy every month.
The Small Business Lighting Solutions program makes it easy and affordable for you to improve your lighting efficiency.
It all starts with a free onsite assessment to determine how you can save and ends with the installation of new, energy efficient lighting. Through qualified electrical contractors, NS Power looks after all arrangements (assessment, materials, electrical contractor and disposal of old materials).
Best of all, NS Power covers 80% of the total cost. And, on approved credit, you can pay your 20% contribution (at 0% interest) over a period of up to 2 years.
For complete information about this program please visit
NS Power - Energy Savings - Small Business Lighting Solutions
Silver Economy Summit
How will your business be affected?
The Silver Economy Summit - May 13-14, 2010 - Halifax
Nova Scotia’s average age has been increasing over the past several years, and is currently the highest in Canada. Population aging is about to force sweeping changes to workforces, economies, and government-supplied services here in Nova Scotia and in countries around the world. As our population ages, it is in our best interest to ensure that seniors are encouraged and supported in their own efforts to remain self-reliant and that they are able to continue to contribute to families and communities in meaningful ways. The Silver Economy Summit will help Nova Scotia leaders learn about and adapt their organizations to address the challenges and opportunities of an aging population and succeed in the Silver Economy.
The Summit will be held May 13-14, 2010 at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 350 participants will learn from local and international experts in business, government and community initiatives.
Summit discussion topics will include:
- Marketing and product development for an aging population;
- Working with aging workers to utilize the skills of retired people in community economic development;
- Adapting and creating services to accommodate a changing population and society;
- The changing role of seniors in the workforce and volunteer organizations, and;
- A global view of the trends and early indications that Nova Scotia can use to prepare for success in a Silver Economy.
To register, and take advantage of early bird conference pricing,please visit www.silvereconomysummit.ca
Chantal Pelham-Edwards
Corporate Strategist Department of Seniors
1740 Granville Street
4th Floor
PO Box 2065
Halifax, NS
B3J 2Z1
Canada
P: (902) 424-4649
F: (902) 424-0561
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Join us at the Silver Economy Summit
May 13-14, 2010
If you have an announcement you wish to have included in our next newsletter please email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text78379 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Networking
by Barry Smith
A critical step you need to include in your marketing strategy.
Don’t confuse “glad-handing” with networking.
Like any marketing strategy, networking needs to be properly planned, targeted and executed in order to create results.
The best way to profit from your networking efforts is to begin by asking yourself what you can do for the network, rather than asking what the network can do for you. If you plan to give of yourself and your company, your networks will return the favour.
Practice your networking skills with people you share a common interest with. [Never fake that interest!]. Golfers love to talk about golf; boaters love to talk about boating. Eventually your new contacts will ask what you do.
Be strategic in selecting industry, business and/or charitable organizations you can both help and benefit from. Be able and willing to be a leader in those groups and become known for what you know and what you do for them.
Be sincere and honest. The best way to build trust and relationships is to do something for your network before you ever look for results in the opposite direction. Take on a project, be a guest speaker etc.
If possible, look for “exclusivity” when considering an organization to join. It’s easier to become known for what you do in groups where there are no competitors or peers than it is to win allegiances of groups where a long standing member has already secured their loyalty.
Practice and develop your “30 commercial”. A 20 - 30 second outline on who you are, what you do and how your contacts can benefit from doing business with you. It’s your verbal “business card”. Just the basic info, too much information will just annoy a new contact. When they’re ready to buy, they will ask for more details.
Learn to listen. You have two ears and only one mouth, the rule of thumb is that you should listen twice as much time as you talk. Ask new contacts what they do? Be genuinely interested, let them talk, eventually they will ask about you. There’s where your “30 second commercial comes in”.
Don’t just “sign-up”. Formal clubs and organizations resent “joiners” who never show up or participate. This can do you vastly more harm than good. Always be a willing, proactive member.
Give your new contacts the opportunity to sell to you and be sure to send them referral business where possible. Take credit for those referrals. Use your buying experience to learn more about your contact’s business.
Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. Always have a good supply of business cards and give them out freely. You can even have a special offer or incentive made available to your new contacts printed on the back of your card.
Have fun, participate, learn and smile. Make sure you are involved in a group that you honestly enjoy being part of and that you actually like the people involved in the group. Faking sincerity eventually becomes transparent with obviously dire circumstances. No one likes the hard sell, put your salesman’s hat away and get involved.
Avoid becoming part of a clique within your group. Break out of your comfort zone and sit with people you have not met before and introduce yourself. Ask for business cards. Follow up with a note or e-mail saying “how great it was to meet you!”
Always have your business cards with you. Everyone you meet can potentially benefit from your business. Even if they never buy from you or ever have a direct need for the product or service you provide, they can still give you referrals and leads.
You won’t have to stick your foot in the door of a prospective customer who likes and knows you, they will gladly open the door for you.
Remember, it’s not how many people [you think] you know, it’s how many people know you!
Barry Smith is a member of the Board of Directors of the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce and he is the Treasurer for BACC.
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