My Pinnacle Network

Grow Your Business Through Networking

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The networker you know

When searching for a networking group, many people seek out groups where they don’t know any of the members, the logic being why network with people you already know. Knowing at least a few people in a networking group is precisely what you DO want for any number of reasons.

First, a familiar face or two makes your transition into any group smoother, particularly if the people you know have established relationships with others in the group. So, when setting up 1-1’s you’re not “the new guy” but the “friend of John/Jane”. And that can be enough of an icebreaker to develop your own relationships within the group.

That’s one obvious advantage of knowing people before you enter a networking group. Another is getting to know your friend/acquaintance better because you are now in a networking group with them. Maybe there’s a service they have recently added since the last time you talked? Perhaps you didn’t know they went to a certain college or worked at that company before going into business on their own?

When you join a networking group, you want to hit the ground running and get to know people in your group as quickly as possible. Especially the folks in your sphere of influence. By knowing people in an existing group, you have insights that you wouldn’t otherwise have had you not known anyone.

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Want to be a better networking group member? Be more social.

If you’re in a networking group, there is no substitute for a one-on-one meeting. In addition to first hand information about your fellow group member’s business, you invariably learn a bit about them as a person and that can make it easier to connect them to potential leads and referrals. But there is one thing every person in a networking group should be doing in addition to one-on-one meetings and that’s being more social–social media, that is.

If your fellow networker has a Facebook page, like it.

If they have a Twitter page, follow it.

A LinkedIn profile, connect.

Finally, if they have an e-newsletter, sign up for it.

This will not take the place of a one-on-one, but will provide you some background information beforehand and enable you to stay current with what’s going on with them afterwards.

And if your group has its own social media presence-like My Pinnacle Network-do the same as above. Also, get in the habit of posting your social media posts to their social media pages.

A common complaint frustrated networkers voice is about not receiving leads or referrals. That can be a valid complaint, but on your end, you have to make sure you are doing everything in your power to make it easier to refer you. Making your networking group part of your social media efforts can be a great way to stay front-of-mind with your fellow networker.

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My Pinnacle Network announces September 2016 schedule of B2B

My Pinnacle Network recently announced a full slate of business-to-business networking meetings for September. My Pinnacle Network meetings are as follows:

My Pinnacle Network – Marshfield, Thursday, September 1, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 165 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050.

My Pinnacle Network – Westborough, Tuesday, September 6, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m at Digital Federal Credit Union, 18 Lyman Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

My Pinnacle Network – Mansfield, Wednesday, September 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 20 Cabot Blvd., Suite 300, Mansfield, MA 02048.

My Pinnacle Network – Newton, Thursday, September 8, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 29 Crafts Street (Aflac offices), Newton, MA 02458.

My Pinnacle Network – Braintree Third Thursday, Thursday, September 15, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 100 Grandview Road, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Braintree, MA 02184.

My Pinnacle Network – Bourne, Thursday, September 22, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., 550 MacArthur Blvd. (Route 28), Bourne, MA 02532.

Only one B2B professional will be selected for each category. Those categories can be found at http://mypinnaclenetwork.com/about/categories.aspx. Prospective members are encouraged to attend a My Pinnacle Network meeting before committing to join.

If you are interested in attending a meeting in your area, please contact Steven V. Dubin at SDubin@MyPinnacleNetwork.com or 781-582-1061 to RSVP. There is no charge to visit a My Pinnacle Network meeting.

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My Pinnacle Network announces August 2016 schedule of B2B networking meetings

My Pinnacle Network – Westborough, Tuesday, August 2, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m at Digital Federal Credit Union, 18 Lyman Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

My Pinnacle Network – Mansfield, Wednesday, August 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 20 Cabot Blvd., Suite 300, Mansfield, MA 02048.

My Pinnacle Network – Marshfield, Thursday, August 4, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 165 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050.

My Pinnacle Network – Newton, Thursday, August 11, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 29 Crafts Street (Aflac offices), Newton, MA 02458.

My Pinnacle Network – Braintree Third Thursday, Thursday, August 18, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 100 Grandview Road, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Braintree, MA 02184.

My Pinnacle Network – Bourne, Thursday, August 25, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., 550 MacArthur Blvd. (Route 28), Bourne, MA 02532.

Only one B2B professional will be selected for each category. Those categories can be found at http://mypinnaclenetwork.com/about/categories.aspx. Prospective members are encouraged to attend a My Pinnacle Network meeting before committing to join.

If you are interested in attending a meeting in your area, please contact Steven V. Dubin at SDubin@MyPinnacleNetwork.com or 781-582-1061 to RSVP. There is no charge to visit a My Pinnacle Network meeting.

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Like networking

The word like has a lot to do with successful networking.

First, we tend to want to do business with people we like. It’s human nature. The same goes for leads and referrals. If you have a client who needs an accountant, are you going to refer one who you like and enjoy their company or somebody who you’re okay with but wouldn’t be your first choice to break bread with at social gathering? All things being equal with their accounting skills, you’re more likely to refer the person you like.

We founded My Pinnacle Network for a different kind of like. Business owners whose customers are other businesses travel the same lanes and tend to run into the same types of issues. This lends itself to discussions that can lead to referrals.

For example, a while back we had a meeting with a PR Works client to review upcoming press releases. Before the meeting starts, the client asks if we know any IT vendors. Apparently, they were having some issues with their current IT company.

Now, it’s possible that conversation could take place in a business-to-consumer scenario, like working with a realtor to purchase a new home. Yet it’s probably more likely in a B2B scenario.

This article from Inc. Magazine takes an even deeper look at the role likability plays in networking.

Read the Inc. Magazine article.

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The consensus on Windows 10

Last week’s e-mail reached out to our readership regarding the free upgrade to Windows 10 that Microsoft is offering until July 29. Thanks to those who responded.

The consensus is there is no consensus.  But the response provided by Victoria Zaccaria of SMH Electronics and our My Pinnacle Network-Bourne group does share a little insight for those pondering the upgrade:

“It is very different. The interface is somewhat confusing and difficult to manage or configure. Some things that were two clicks to find now may take you five or more to do the same task (kind of like a normal Windows user trying Apple for the first time). 

Now speaking with people who are using it, they have told me that once you get used to it, it’s fine. You can load a program called Classic Shell. This loads a Windows 7 overlay onto your Windows 10 to make it more user-friendly. 

Most software does seem to work. Windows 10 wants you to use Microsoft Edge as the new browser (no toolbars, no words, and difficult to use). And not compatible with everyone’s websites.Windows 10 does have Internet Explorer 11, which is compatible with most websites. Cortana, the search feature, sends demographic and search results back to Microsoft for targeting you with ads and info. You can “turn this off” but it is on by default.

If you have older printers/scanners and want to continue to use them, make sure there are drives available before you upgrade. Not all hardware is compatible.

You can go back, but some stuff will get corrupted in the go back process.  If the computer had scheduled tasks, these will all be corrupted and need to be re-generated.  

According to reports, approximately 25 percent of businesses have adopted Windows 10. Now, it’s  up to you!”

Thanks, Victoria.

Any non-IT folks tried it? We would love to hear from you, too!

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My Pinnacle Network and Windows 10

I’m thinking about downloading Windows 10 before the free upgrade expires at the end of the month. Frankly, it scares me to death. Which is why I’m asking my network-My Pinnacle Network-for their reviews of Windows 10.

Why?

When you are considering a purchase, what’s your first step? First, you want to find out as much about that product as you can. Second, you want to know what people who have purchased that product think. That typically means reading reviews online.

Chances are, you will not know one of the people posting. Maybe you can trust their opinion, maybe you can’t.

With a networking group like My Pinnacle Network, you not only have a resource for referrals, but a trusted source of feedback.

What makes a “review” from an MPN member even more reassuring is that it’s coming from a fellow B2B professional and business owner and that makes a HUGE difference.

Why? You don’t really know the context of an online review unless that person shares it. Fortunately, some folks do. But there could be ulterior motives for that review (e.g. that person might be an affiliate). Also, as a b2b professional, you have a reasonable idea of what your fellow networker is using the product for. Also, if they are in your networking group, you know you are going to see that person again, you tend to be a bit more honest, good and bad.

What that means is you might get a review that shares the benefits but points out a drawback or two. And the real beauty is you can have a real-time dialogue with that person. Part of that dialogue can include the question: knowing what you know, would you make that purchase again?

So, the next time you are looking to make a big business purchases, you still want to read the online reviews. But seek out other opinions from your actual network. It might help save you from a purchase you regret or, even better, get you off the fence to buy something that will benefit your business.

Now, about Windows 10…has anybody downloaded and what do you think?

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My Pinnacle Network announces July 2016 schedule of B2B networking meetings

My Pinnacle Network recently announced a full slate of business-to-business networking meetings for July. My Pinnacle Network meetings are as follows:

My Pinnacle Network – Mansfield, Wednesday, July 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 20 Cabot Blvd., Suite 300, Mansfield, MA 02048.

My Pinnacle Network – Marshfield, Thursday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 165 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050.

My Pinnacle Network – Westborough, Tuesday, July 12, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m at Digital Federal Credit Union, 18 Lyman Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Please note, this meeting regularly meets on the first Tuesday of the month and is only meeting on the second Tuesday for July 2016.

My Pinnacle Network – Newton, Thursday, July 14, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 29 Crafts Street (Aflac offices), Newton, MA 02458.

My Pinnacle Network – Braintree Third Thursday, Thursday, July 21, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 100 Grandview Road, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Braintree, MA 02184.

My Pinnacle Network – Bourne, Thursday, July 28, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., 550 MacArthur Blvd. (Route 28), Bourne, MA 02532.

Only one B2B professional will be selected for each category. Those categories can be found at http://mypinnaclenetwork.com/about/categories.aspx. Prospective members are encouraged to attend a My Pinnacle Network meeting before committing to join.

If you are interested in attending a meeting in your area, please contact Steven V. Dubin at SDubin@MyPinnacleNetwork.com or 781-582-1061 to RSVP. There is no charge to visit a My Pinnacle Network meeting.

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Networking Survival Tips. Cranberry Country Chamber & Rockland Trust sponsor Free seminar in Middleboro.

MIDDLEBORO, MA…

Dread the idea of meeting a bunch of strangers?  Annoyed that your current networking efforts a waste of time?

You are not alone. The “Networking Survival Tips” seminar will provide pragmatic, easy to implement steps to help you convert initial conversations to new clients, teach you to successfully navigate a packed room and outline how to become a hub resource.

The free seminar will be held Tuesday, June 28, 7:30 – 9 a.m. at Massasoit Community College, Middleboro campus, 49 Union St, Middleborough, MA 02346

The seminar, sponsored by the Cranberry Country Chamber of Commerce and Rockland Trust, will be led by Steve Dubin, founder of My Pinnacle Network, a group of six business to business networks and PR Works, a full service marketing firm based in Plymouth, MA.

Networking tips and tactics will include how to work a room, how to stand out in a crowd, how to manage the exchange of business cards, how to select someone to talk with, how to get a prospect to open up, how to disengage, how to pick the right events, planning ahead, and how to follow up and take effective next steps.

Although the seminar is free and seating is limited to 30.  Please RSVP at http://www.cranberrycountry.org, or contact info@cranberrycountry.org , (508) 947-1499.

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My Pinnacle Network in the news

My Pinnacle Network Founder Steve Dubin was recently quoted in an article entitled “5 Networking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them”.  The article was posted in the Crossroads – Jobseeker News on www.net-temps.com. Here’s Steve’s tip:

Not reciprocating the favor 

People also want to meet you because of your connections. We’re all hooked up in some way or another. Steve Dubin, co-founder of My Pinnacle Network, cautions against becoming this kind of connection.”You know the guy. Very outgoing, loud, lots of back-slapping. The problem? He is the ‘black hole’ of your network. He is the ‘one way’ street who gladly accepts personal introductions but very, very rarely reciprocates.” People are there for the connections just as much as you are. Be sure you’re giving back.

For the other five networking mistakes to avoid, click here.