Below are relationship-building exercises that are to be used during the One on One Networking Appointments. These exercises may be used as often as needed. The purpose of the exercise is to give referral partners specific questions to ask each other while meeting one on One. This will enable them to get to know one another better. Of course, you might want to take notes during the exercise so that they can build a profile on your referral partners.

When networking, you should also try to find out as much information from as many referral partners as possible during the appointment. I hope this exercise will not only make your Networking appointments educational, but fun as well.

Great questions to ask each other:

1. What are your three best clients?
2. What is the most common misconception about your business?
3. What do you enjoy most about your profession?
4. Do you have children, and if so how many? What are their ages and interests?
5. How did you find out about BNI and why did you decide to join?
6. Do you have any hobbies, interests, or sports you are involved in?
7. Are you a member of a professional association? If so, which one? What does it mean to you to be a member and what has it done for you?
8. What is the one job or client that sticks out in your mind and why?
9. How did your past experiences lead you to the profession you are in today?
10. If you had to start all over again, what would you do differently in your career?

As a business owner, I get it– that first year or two of getting a business off the ground is like an emotional roller coaster. There are so many shifts needed in our mindset when we make the decision to play full-out and launch a business!  
 
I remember when I had to do my accounting myself. I had a working knowledge of QuickBooks at the time but did not use it to its full potential. What else was I missing? What did I need to know that I didn't know?
 
That’s why I was thrilled when my friend Laura Hitt told me that she was hosting an interview series around this very topic! Laura wanted to do her own research project to learn how other entrepreneurs and mindset experts have shifted the ways they look at entrepreneurship, themselves, and the world. 
 
It’s called New Business, New Mindset– Entrepreneurial Women: Learn the Tools & Tricks You Need to Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset, Breakthrough Barriers and Realize Your Vision! 
 
I have a complimentary ticket for you to participate. You can register using this link: https://bit.ly/3rigQhD
 
Just so you know, you can watch from your home or on the go, and you’ll receive access to two recorded interviews per day, for 7 days! 
 
This series is for women who want to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset and set themselves up for success in their new business, in spite of the many challenges of entrepreneurship. 
 
The top-level entrepreneurs who are interviewed in this series are experts in developing a mindset that will help you breakthrough your barriers and stay true to your vision, in spite of the emotional roller coaster of entrepreneurship. These speakers are sharing their best tips and tricks for altering the way you think, so that you don’t have to spend decades alternating between the highs of launching a business, and the lows of being stuck, overwhelmed and immobilized. 
 
They’ve lived it, and they've become experts in it. 
 
So let me ask you this: What would it be worth it to you to be able to sit down with 14 top-level entrepreneurs and mindset experts and pick their brain about the best ways to think as a new entrepreneur? 
 
For me, it’s worth A LOT and I wish I’d had this when I started! That’s why I’ll not only be a speaker, but I’ll be watching the other entrepreneurs too. 
 
Register here with this complimentary ticket: https://bit.ly/3rigQhD
 
In case you are wondering who is speaking, beside myself, here is just a handful of other amazing speakers who are interviewed: 

• Sam Silverstein, keynote speaker, consultant, best-selling author of 12 books including No More Excuses, The Theory of Accountability and The Success Model
• Erica Strong, speaker, trainer, business and life coach, author (Finishing Strong), podcast host
• Shanie Salmon-Godfrey, 11X best-selling author, business & financial coach, podcaster, author of The Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Jonny Cooper, Entrepreneur, over 8 figure business owner, founder of Jonny Hates Marketing
• Jose Alfaro, serial entrepreneur and COO of Co.starters which supports small businesses and entrepreneurs all across the US… And more! 

 
Click here to register and learn more: https://bit.ly/3rigQhD 

Amrita Jayakumar Nov 30, 2021 Be smart about holiday generosity - NerdWallet

2020 asked a lot from us. We faced new challenges and reckoned with old ones, and often the world’s problems collided with our own individual needs. Help — whether in donations or even just attention — might’ve been hard to give when you required some yourself.

If your finances are in better shape this giving season, you can be more strategic with your dollars. The same issues you felt strongly about last year may not be on your priority list now. Perhaps the reverse is true — you’re more determined than ever to support the causes you care about.

Here are tips on prioritizing causes, supporting them effectively and making room in your wallet for sustained giving.

Your priorities can shape your plan
Write down the two or three causes that matter most to you, whether it’s a global issue like slowing down climate change or something closer to home, like supporting your local animal shelter. This is the start of your giving plan.

A small, regular donation can make a big impact
One powerful way to champion your favorite cause is through small, recurring donations.

How to choose which organization to support
You’ve got your giving plan in hand and know the importance of recurring donations. Now how do you actually choose where to send your money?

Read the full article here: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/sustained-charitable-giving 

From Tom Gosche:

"The Friendly Club,” as the Rotary Club of Schaumburg / Hoffman Estates is known, was founded in 1969 by a dedicated group of local business leaders committed to making their community and the world a better place to live. 

The members can be found in your community, as well as, around the globe. Visit the Local Website at www.scherotary.org 

​Overcoming Mediocrity is a podcast for success-driven women who want to empower their thoughts, design their dream careers, and build a beautiful life that’s aligned with their destiny. Hosted by Bestselling Author and Business Coach Christie Ruffino.

This show is for every woman on the edge of change who is ready to overcome mediocrity; to rise up and reinvent herself, elevate her thinking, and transform her life. Join Christie each week for powerful conversations, uplifting interviews, and mega doses of inspiration. 

Visit Overcoming Mediocrity to learn more about our authors and guests.
https://overcomingmediocrity.libsyn.com/

This week Christie sits down with Tom Gosche. Tom Gosche is a Business Strategist dedicated to helping business owners be more profitable through customized business and financial strategy. His BRAND System™ is a process of creating and implementing effective brands, business building strategies, financial insight, and business transition success.

Seeing Tom in action quickly impresses upon attendees his skills, knowledge, and expertise in a lighthearted, even humorous, presentation.

Tom is a part of GLM, Inc. as a business consultant and business developer. He has formulated the idea of the BASiC Cycle of working with business owners. BASIC was formed with business owners in mind, by combining growth strategies, business planning, and financial review on a regular basis.
​

Typical Situation: Our client is complaining their location does not have enough space. They may wish to change their location. They may want to explore buying their own building and want some comparisons.
When you hear a business owner say:
·        “There is just not enough space here anymore.”
·        “The building owner has been neglecting maintenance”
·        “I think it is time explore buying my own building and need some comparisons.”
 
Commercial Real Estate Broker works with businesses that are looking to lease or buy office, industrial, or retail space in the Chicago area. Our process is geared to reduce the pain involved in the business relocation process.

How they Work: Starts with meeting with the client to better understand what his/her real estate needs are. They do an extensive property search to generate a list tailored to our client’s specific needs. Then a tour of the properties that have been further vetted.  Once a property is selected the broker will advise our client during the negotiation process.

Matching Ideas with Resources:

Successful business owners tell us that they are concerned about:
​

• Rising labor costs
• Health Insurance
• Workers Comp
• Government Regulations
• Declining Sales
• Taxes
• Fighting Fires
• Tight Cash Flow
• Errors, Mistakes, Quality
• Productivity & Attitude
• Equipment Capacity
• Customer Demands
• Not having anyone to talk with

What concerns do you have?

Do they keep you up at night?

Successful business owners also tell us they have a solid relationship with their accounting firm. They indicate this has occurred because of a unique process that allows them to spend more of their time growing their business.

The result is increased business and a better night’s sleep!

Your business concerns are discussed during regular consulting sessions. Our deep network of contacts can help you solve most of your business concerns. These specialist are experts in their respective field.