First comes the idea, then a bit of follow-through and, ideally, in the end you have a business.
But if a company thrives, it's not because its founder filed all the right paperwork, got a P.O. box and had business cards made up. There's much more to building a successful business than those initial basics.
In fact, to make sustained growth more likely, small businesses need a smart, strategic plan. Whether a company is in its infancy or has been around for years, there are a few things every savvy small-business owner needs to keep in mind.
Read More: The 7 Fundamentals of Building a Successful Business
Heading out on a business trip? Check out the latest in travel websites: They’ll help you find the best hotel deals, connect with other travelers, and even suggest things to do as you pass over cities along your flight route.
1. Hipmunk.com
Hipmunk.com has one advantage over other flight search sites: It’s much more graphical. Once you tap in your departure and arrival cities, and enter the dates of travel, you can view a colorful graph that shows you the best flight deals. Hipmunk recently added integration to Google Calendar so when you plan out your flight, you can avoid double-booking with your weekly sales meeting.
In conjunction with the New York XPO For Business, The NYC Business Networking Group (NYCBNG) and The LGBT Business Network invites you to attend the 2nd Annual Biggest Business Networking Event.
This 3-hour event is part mini-expo and part networking to connect you with NYC industry professionals, executives, business owners & decision makers.
Last year we hosted the inaugural event, which quickly became the BIGGEST event in NYC History. That event is still being talked about. Nearly 900 people attended and it was such a success, we received a feature story in The Wall Street Journal.
This year we're hosting an even bigger and better event. Everyone will be there and you won't want to be left out!
The event is free w/RSVP for all members of our group. Not a member? Join for free. You can't get info this event unless you're on the list. NOTE: You're welcome to invite business associates but they MUST sign up themselves.
After a day of first-rate classes and presentations at the 6th Annual New York XPO for Business, NYCBNG will host the after-party networking event.
*******VENDOR TABLES AVAILABLE*******
Why Exhibit At The 2nd Annual Biggest Business Networking Event?
Exhibiting is a great way to expand your business base, generate HUNDREDS of leads and increase your company's visibility amongst business owners.
Promotional Vendor Benefits:
Vendor Table Fees:
Option 1: Four Foot Table (incl. 2 company reps) $300.00
Option 2: Six Foot Table (incl. 4 company reps) $500.00
We accept vendors with business-related products and services. NOTE: To apply for a vendor table email nycbiznet@yahoo.com with your full name, description of your business & website link. We'll provide more information.
Disclaimer: We have a no-refund policy on table sales.
Attendee Demographic
51.5% Presidents, Owners, CEOs
9% Directors
7.5% Vice Presidents
6% Sales Executives
5.5% Marketing Professionals
4.5% CFOs/COOs/CMOs
4% Business Development
4% Consultants
3% Management
3% Financial Services Representative
2% Miscellaneous
Industry Type Breakdown
11.5% Professional Services
11% Technology
10.5% Financial & Banking
10% Marketing & Advertising
10% Consulting
8% Hospitality & Entertainment
5% Real Estate
5% Manufacturing & Distribution
3.5% Telecommunications
3.5% Healthcare
3.5% Non-Profit
3% Energy
3% Retail
2.5% Transportation
2.5% Insurance
2% Construction & Contracting
1.5% Legal
1% Publishing & Printing
1% Education
1% Media
1% Miscellaneous
PARTIAL VENDOR LIST:
(MORE VENDOR LISTINGS COMING SOON)
New York Life
Founded in 1845 and headquartered in NYC, New York Life Insurance Company is a Fortune 100 company and the oldest and one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in America. New York Life maintains operations in all 50 states and several markets in Asia and Latin America through a network of more than 17,000 employees and more than 60,000 licensed agents. The Company holds the highest possible ratingsfor financial strength currently awarded to any life insurer from the life insurance industry's four principal rating agencies. Visit: http://newyorklife.com/
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is the World’s largest Junk removal service. We remove almost anything- from old furniture and appliances, garden waste and renovation debris, electronics, and of course complete residential and office cleanouts! Our uniformed crews provide outstanding customer service and donate or recycle all possible items. Visit: http://www.1800gotjunk.com
Kingdom of Bahrain
The Kingdom of Bahrain is unique in the Middle East. It offers a stable economic climate & competitive costs, a highly business friendly culture that welcomes foreign investment, an educated, bilingual workforce, low operating costs & 100% foreign ownership. No corporate, income or withholding taxes & no restrictions on repatriation of capital or profits. Bahrain has a Free Trade Agreement with the USA where businesses enjoy protection of the Kingdom's legal & regulatory systems & strict intellectual property & copyright laws. Visit: http://www.bahrainedb.com
Inkandescent Networking
Are You Ready to Start Networking in Seven East Coast Cities? At Inkandescent Networking, our goal is to help your business grow by connecting you to potential customers, strategic partners, and employees / employers through networking events and online introductions. Posting a short profile is free. Meet us in the social media sphere. Sign up today: http://www.inkandescentnetworking.com
Preyas LLC
Preyas Consulting is a custom software development firm in New York and we provide Web and Enterprise software development services to businesses in NY, NJ and CT. Our collaborative approach to software development ensure that our software solutions are not only tailored to your business needs, but allow you to leverage technology for your business. We specialize in PHP, Joomla, Drupal, Rails, Magento, Java.J2EE, Sharepoint, ASP.NET and C#. Visit http://www.preyasconsulting.com
Bizodo
Bizodo is a cloud form builder that allows its users to create forms, surveys, event registrations and online order forms, then links them seamlessly with easy to use sales, marketing and management tools. The forms can be embed on your site or you can use a URL which they conveniently provide. Visit http://www.bizodo.com
Wyndham Garden Hotel
Whether you are traveling to Manhattan for business or pleasure, you can experience all that New York City has to offer at the Wyndham Garden Hotel - Times Square South centrally located in Midtown Manhattan. Visit: http://www.wyndhamnewyorkcity.com
GoSteals
A 100% FREE marketplace for every small business to list and acquire great discounts on products and services. Built over the most sophisticated self-service advertising technology available, it offers a fast, easy, cost-effective alternative to acquire new local customers while receiving discounts on necessary business services along the way. The one-stop online ad destination for small business owners worldwide. Visit http://www.Gosteals.com
Godettes Peru
An exclusive importer of men, women & children's apparel for high-end, American boutiques. Our company's merchandise includes baby alpaca including capes, sweaters, fur hats & many other accessories. Our main goal is to supply & fulfill the quality required for the best possible customer experience. Visit: http://www.godettesperu.com
Social Media School
Social Media School educates small business owners, career changers and marketing professionals in how to create and manage social media effectively, with solid results. Courses include Introduction to Social Media, Social Media for Executives, and beginner and advanced courses in Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, YouTube and LinkedIn for business. Visit: http://www.socialmediaschoolny.com
Chesspin Enterprise LLC
Chesspin Enterprises focuses on your business at the start-up phase to give you a properly-registered company. We help you with everything from incorporation to obtaining your business license and connect you with the resources you need to grow. Visit: http://www.chesspin.com/
in10sity
Since 1997, in10sity has specialized in creating website, software, and marketing solutions for major brands across the globe. Our strength lies in our experience creating award-winning designs, communications, and content management systems that brand your business. Our clients include Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, New York Blood Center, Queens College and Rack Room Shoes. Visit http://www.In10sity.net
Creative Group LLC
A graphic design company creating logo & packaging design, branding, exhibit booths for trade shows, video presentations to promote your business & printed marketing materials to help build your business to the next level. We provide printing services from small to large format at some of the most competitive prices. We pride ourselves on the quality of what we provide in a timely manner. Visit: http://www.creativegroupllc.com
Managed Business Services
Flexible, scalable business support, always onshore. MBS is a provider of onshore domestic and global outsourcing solutions. MBS offers a unique modular approach to onsite and virtual staffing, support and knowledge-management. MBS’ service modules include: Professional & Consulting Services, Creative & Media Services, Back & Middle Office Support. Visit: http://www.accessmbs.com
Quest Media
Quest Media Entertainment Inc. is a full-service Television Production Company. Services include: Television Program Development - (Our most popular program Profiles has been the recipient of four Telly Awards in the last three years), Television Commercial Production, On-Air Commercial Placement, Corporate Video Production, Celebrity Acquisition, Event Filming, and Website Design and Maintenance. Visit http://www.questmedia.net
Visalus Sciences
Visalus is the fastest growing health phenomenon in the country. With over 50 million shakes served, 89,000 people are joining the challenge each month. We challenge you to make health your priority the next 90 days. Join the millions who are shedding pounds and shaping up with the Visalus Challenge! Visit http://rubinon2.bodybyvi.com
Nuskin/Pharmanex
Nuskin/Pharmanex is a leader in anti-aging industry that takes the science of anti-aging to a completely new level by studying the genetic origins of how and why we age. With range of products from nutrient rich supplements to skin-care that targets the ultimate sources of aging we have something to offer to anyone who want to stay healthy and youthful. Visit: http://www.vivacity.nsedreams.com
Osteopathy New York, P.C
A medical practice dedicated to improving health naturally by relieving tension and pain at its cause using a gentle hands-on therapy that yields powerful long-lasting results. Visit http://www.osteopathyny.com
Ardyss
Reshape ◊ Revive ◊ Rediscover the Real You – is a Health and Wellness company with 5 different lines of products, Nutrition, Reshaping, Skin Care, Home Care and Coffee. The Ardyss family is committed to quality products that reshape and revive the body both inside and out while empowering individuals worldwide with the opportunity to rediscover financial freedom. An Appointment With Ardyss Will Change Your Life! Visit: http://www.ardysslife.com/denisejwhitehead
Computer Warriors, Inc.
Is a New York City based Information Services Consulting firm with over fifteen years of experience addressing both Corporate and Residential computer needs in the Tri-State area of New York. Including the Five Boroughs, Northern New Jersey, lower Westchester, Southern Rockland, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. Visit http://www.computerwarriorsinc.com
Business Networking International: Chapter 48
More Details Coming Soon!
Visit http://www.bni.com
Green Mountain Energy
More Details Coming Soon!
MEDIA PARTNERS:
Pace University: My name is Barry Miller, Manager Alumni Career Programs and Services at Pace University, If you are looking for interns with book smarts and real world experience through seasoned professionals, we have them. Contact me at bmiller@pace.edu for the exciting details.
NYCLGBTCC: The NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a not-for profit 501 (c) (6) whose purpose is to assist in and facilitate economic development opportunities for LGBT in business and minority businesses in the borough of the Bronx & in NYC & out of NYC. LGBT attendees who sign up at the event will get 50% off their membership fee. Visit http://www.nyclgbtcc.com
New York Enterprise Report: Featuring expert articles and tools to help small businesses grow. Visit http://www.nyreport.com
SmallBiz Technology: Tech Insight and News for Small Businesses. Visit http://www.smallbiztechnology.com
Meet hundreds of Business Owners and Executives
In conjunction with the New York XPO For Business, The NYC Business Networking Group (NYCBNG) and the LGBT Business Network invite you to attend the 2nd Annual After-Hours Networking Event on November 16th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center!
This 3-hour event is part conference, part mini-expo and part networking to connect you with NYC industry professionals, executives, business owners and decision makers.
Last year, the inaugural After-Hours Networking Event quickly became the BIGGEST event in NYC History. Nearly 900 people attended and it was such a success, we received a feature story in The Wall Street Journal. This year we'll host an even bigger and better event. Everyone will be there and you won't want to be left out!
VENDOR TABLES AVAILABLE: (Showcase Your Business)
Why Exhibit At The Biggest Business Networking Event?
Exhibiting is a great way to expand your business base, generate HUNDREDS of
leads and increase your company's visibility amongst business owners.
Promotional Benefits:
* Face-to-face contact with 1200+ business owners & decision-makers
* A vendor table at the event for your marketing materials
* Establish new business relationships in your target market
* Introduce & demo your product or service to new prospects
* Distribute product samples & materials
* Exposure on NYCBNG & NYXPO website
* Company Promotional paragraph posted on NYCBNG
* Company participation promoted on Social Media Sites
* Direct access to the press and media
We will be accepting vendors with business-related products and services.
Interested in purchasing a table? Email us at nycbiznet@yahoo.com and include your full name, company, contact details and your website url and we'll send you more details.
Meet hundreds of Business Owners and Executives
In conjunction with the New York XPO For Business, The NYC Business Networking Group (NYCBNG) and The LGBT Business Network invites you to attend the 2nd Annual After-Hours Networking Event on November 16th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center!
Last year we hosted the inaugural After-Hours Networking Event, which quickly became the BIGGEST event in NYC History. That event is still being talked about. Nearly 900 people attended and it was such a success, we received a feature story in The Wall Street Journal. This year we'll host an even bigger and better event. Everyone will be there and you won't want to be left out!
This 3-hour event is part conference, part mini-expo and part networking to connect you with NYC industry professionals, executives and decision makers.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 5:00 PM
WHERE: Jacob Javits: 12th Ave & W 34th St, NYC 10018
COST: Free w/RSVP on the link below (Entry with RSVP only)
RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2324685196
VENDOR TABLES AVAILABLE
Why Exhibit At This Event?
Promotional Benefits:
Face-to-face contact with 1200 - 1500 business owners & decision-makers
A 4' or 6' vendor table at the event for your marketing materials
Establish new business relationships in your target market
Introduce & demo your product or service to new prospects
Distribute product samples & materials
Exposure on NYCBNG & NYXPO website
Company Promotional paragraph posted on NYCBNG
Company participation promoted on Social Media Sites
Direct access to the press and media
We will be accepting vendors with business-related products and services.
To apply for a vendor table email me at nycbiznet@yahoo.com with your full name, a description of your business and website link. We will provide you more information. Benefits and costs of tables are listed here: http://www.meetup.com/The-NYC-Business-Networking-Group/events/30346491/
This past week we announced the Champions and Honorable Mentions in the Small Business Influencer 2011 Awards. You may not yet have seen the award announcement, so I thought I’d also share it here.
The Small Business Influencer Awards, for those who don’t know, is a recognition of people, organizations and companies with demonstrated commitment to serving North American small businesses.
We live in the age of social media. After all, even the Weather Channel now covers Twitter conversations …. So, we thought it was only fitting to integrate a significant social media element into the awards. Here is how the awards worked:
Read More: Small Business Influencers 2011 Awards: Announcing Final Results
With 520 nominations, over 125,000 votes and thousands more Tweets and Likes, Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com are happy to announce the Small Business Influencer 2011 Champions and Honorees. Congratulations to all nominees who participated – being nominated is itself an honor.
The Small Business Influencer 2011 awards -- sponsored by BlackBerry, Infusionsoft and Sage -- is an opportunity for individuals, companies and organizations in North America to be recognized for their commitment to small businesses. (Read more about the Awards... )
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process involved two stages: voting by the community (weighted at 40%) and voting by a panel of Judges (weighted at 60%).
The criteria for judging included the following:
"... a person, company or other organization that has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the North American small business market. Impact may mean (i) providing products widely used by significant numbers of small businesses, or (ii) influencing significant numbers of small businesses by being a thought leader, or (iii) providing information or services of note to significant numbers of small businesses."
The first consideration involves the numbers of small businesses influenced.
The second consideration is the way and to what extent the nominee impacts a small business.
Let’s take the fictional example of a company that sells electricity to millions of small businesses. Clearly they touch millions. But how much did that electricity-selling company influence those small businesses to be successful – either in increased efficiency, sales or profitability, or by empowering them to enter into and stay in business, or by influencing their thinking and behaviors, or by revolutionizing the way they could do business, or through other means? These are the types of questions considered in the judging process – we looked for nominees that not only reached small businesses but where the nature of the impact was significant.
Choosing only 100 Small Business Influencer Champions was beyond challenging; it was a grueling process. After all, the small business market in North America is huge. There are countless thousands who meet the above criteria – whether internationally, within their countries, within their local communities, or within their industries. One can be an “influencer” and have a giant impact within a small town or a narrow vertical industry. While for some, the numbers of small businesses they reach may not be large as others, the depth of the impact they have could be a signal of their influence.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
With 520 nominees, it was tough to choose. Many were very close. Because there could only be 100 in the Champions list, we created a separate category of honorees who were very close in votes, as well as those who did not get a large popular vote but surely deserve recognition. That list of Honorable Mentions is here.
THE 100 SMALL BUSINESS INFLUENCER 2011 CHAMPIONS
Drum roll ... congratulations ... to the following official list of 100 Small Business Influencer Champions (in alphabetical order):
| Abrams, Rhonda AllBusiness.com America's Small Business Development Center Network Armstrong, Mario Babson College Ball, Alison Barone, Lisa Bates, Cindy Bellamkonda, Shashi Berry, Tim Better Business Bureau Black Enterprise Blumenthal, Mike Borders + Gratehouse Brelsford, Harry Brodsky, Norm Cisco Citrix Online Clark, Brian Connolly, Joe Constant Contact Cornwall, Jeff DeBaise, Colleen Delaney, Laurel Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp Eberson, Ilana Elance Emerson, Melinda Entrepreneur Fenn, Donna Goltz, Jay Greene, Patricia Gregory, Alyssa Hoover's Hewitt, John T. HP MagCloud HubSpot Inc. Magazine Intuit It's Your Biz Jantsch, John Kahn, Richard K. Kerrigan, Karen Kukral, Jim Kurtz, Rod Lawson, John Lesonsky, Rieva Levin, Robert Manta |
Marks, Gene Mask, Clate McCabe, Laurie McCray, Becky Merlino, Nell Miller, Sharon Mills, Jerry L. Microsoft National Federation of Independent Business Nilssen, David New York Times Nolo O'Berry, Denise ODesk O'Hara, Pamela OPEN Forum PartnerUp Ploeger, Nancy Popick, Janine Ramberg, JJ Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Roth, Carol Sage SBA SCORE Shah, Dharmesh Shaheen, Jennifer Shane, Scott Shephard, Bob Shinder, Marcy Simonds, Lauren Simmons, Michael Stanleigh, Sean Startup Nation Strauss, Steve The Guardian Life Insurance Company University at Buffalo School of Management Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership UPS U.S. Chamber of Commerce Verizon Wireless Vistaprint Wall, Aaron Wall Street Journal Ward, Missy Ward, Susan Weltman, Barbara Wood, Cheryl WordPress Yancey, Ken YoungEntrepreneur.com |
MORE INFORMATION
Celebrate with us at the official Awards Gala on September 13th from 6-9pm at the New York Institute of Technology Auditorium on Broadway in New York City. Influencers, nominees, judges, members of the media and the small business community will join together for an evening of celebration, networking and fun. Click here for more information on the event.
Champions, Honorable Mentions and Judges: for VIP registration to the event, please email ramon@smallbiztechnology.com.
Visit: http://influencers.smallbiztrends.com/news/champions and sign up to attend the awards ceremony.
Ilana Eberson from The NYC Business Networking Group (NYCBNG) has been nominated as a Small Business Influencer in the Leader Category.
Check out the details by clicking here.
Who Will You Nominate?
Welcome to "Small Business Influencer 2011" produced by Small Business Trends and Small Biz Technology and brought to you by Blackberry. Small Business Influencer 2011 honors companies, organizations and people who have made a significant impact on the North American small business market. In phase I, you nominate influencers. In Phases 2 and 3, you and an all-star judging panel will vote for the top 100. It all culminates with honoring the Top 100 Small Business Influencers in mid-August 2011, with an awards dinner to follow on September 13, 2011.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A SMALL BUSINESS INFLUENCER?
A small business influencer is a person, company or other organization that has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the North American small business market. Impact may mean (i) providing products widely used by significant numbers of small businesses, or (ii) influencing significant numbers of small businesses by being a thought leader, or (iii) providing information or services of note to significant numbers of small businesses.
People, companies and other organizations that fall into one of the following five categories may be nominated:
• Leaders (executives, academics, government officials, or key employees who are part of companies or other organizations serving the small business market)
• Corporations (companies that provide products and services to the small business market, and non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and advocacy and support organizations)
• Journalists (individual journalists, reporters, editors, broadcasters, bloggers, podcasters, freelance writers)
• News Outlets (media companies, newspapers, magazines, broadcasting companies)
• Gurus (mavens, authors, speakers, consultants, advocates, professionals such as lawyers or CPAs)
HOW DO WE NOMINATE SOMEONE? To nominate an influencer, simply click on the "NOMINATE" button, and fill in the information on the submission form. Nominate as many people and organizations as you wish. All nominations are subject to administrative review, and may be edited for completeness, proper categories, accuracy, grammar and typographical errors. It may take up to 24 hours for nominations to be appear on the site.
Read More Here
LGBT Professional Gayborhood Speed Networking
Join members of The LGBT Gayborhood Networking Group for our speed-networking event.
Our events allow you to participate in a community of high quality LGBT professionals and businesses including entrepreneurs, business professionals and executives, small and medium sized business and startups.
Speed Networking is similar to the concept of speed dating, except it's for making business connections. It's like a regular networking event at an accelerated speed. It involves matching networkers with many new contacts in a short time. It's a fun, effective, low pressure way to add contacts to your business network.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 @ 6:30pm
WHERE: Pulse Restaurant: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, 3rd Flr, NY 10111 (LA Sports Club Bldg)
COST: $10 prepaid by 12 noon on 3/29, or $20 cash/door
RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/TheLGBTProfessionalGayborhood/events/16832471/
Conversation takes on a natural flow because the format of the event acts as an ice breaker to help everyone feel relaxed while they network. This type of networking format also allows you to practice keeping your pitch short and sweet. Compared to a regular networking event, you'll meet more people and make more contacts quickly.
THE EVENINGS SCHEDULE:
6.30-7.00 PM: Registration, Informal Networking, Cash Bar
7.00-8:00 PM: Members Participate in Speed Networking Rounds
8:00-8.30 PM: Informal Networking With Participants
