My Pinnacle Network

Grow Your Business Through Networking

admin

by

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.

by

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.

by

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!

by

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?

by

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.

by

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.

by

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.

by

Was Muhammad Ali a good networker?

With all the tributes that have been pouring in since Muhammad Ali passed away on Friday, it’s probably safe to say nobody has asked this question. And let’s be honest, prize fighting doesn’t exactly mirror what B2B professionals do. Still, there are a few things we can draw upon that bear mention.

Let’s start with Ali’s verbal brand: I am the greatest! While this rubs many the wrong way, Steve Melanson, the Godfather of Verbal Branding would be proud. In less than five seconds, that signature line makes a statement about his ability and provokes conversation. It’s doubtful that Ali uttered those words nobody responded.

On the surface, this verbal brand appears to break a cardinal rule: do not oversell or overhype your capabilities and abilities. In Ali’s case, with a few exceptions during his career when he was banished from boxing, the statement is true.

Besides being individually good at what you do, develop a network of others who are also at or near the tops of their field. Is it a coincidence that Ali had one of the greatest trainers in boxing history in his corner, Angelo Dundee? Not really.

Another sign of a good networker: having others sing your praises. Could Muhammad Ali risen to the heights that he did without Howard Cosell? It’s an interesting question. But in your business networking and marketing efforts, it’s equally important to have somebody who is a champion of you or your products or services.

Perhaps the ultimate trait of Muhammad Ali that would benefit all people in business is one of resiliency, both inside and outside the ring. After being banned from fighting, it would have been easy for Ali to call it a day. He did not.

Inside the ring, he took a lot of punches. Yet he always got back up, win or lose. In business, you will win some, you probably lose a few, too. How you respond dictates the level of your success.

Rest in peace, champ.

by

Discount available for Business Fundamentals Boot Camp

photo of Greg DeSimone
Greg DeSimone

MPN-Mansfield Member and Catapult Advisory Group President Greg DeSimone will be presenting at another  Business Fundamentals Bootcamp event, to be held on June 10, 2016 at the Wellesley Country Club in Wellesley, MA.

Greg has arranged a special offer for you and your clients of 50 percent off!  This offer can be redeemed using code DESIMONE50 at http://www.bfbootcamp.com/2016MWT. This pass is subject to availability and will expire on 6/3/16.  So please don’t delay if you would like to attend as the previous events have sold out!

As with past Business Fundamentals Bootcamps, there will be an all-star cast from the local business community as speakers and panelists for this event, whose theme is “Growth Strategies for the Scaling Company.” The Bootcamp Series is designed especially for owners and C-level professionals at growing businesses, with an emphasis on the tactical and operational expertise needed to manage such companies.

Speakers and panelists will lead sessions focused on marketing, finance, law and human resources for the event’s 50 – 100+ attendees (based on full or half day event). Participants will have the chance to learn from and ask questions of some of the most experienced mature- and growth-stage service providers in the area.

Again, this pass is subject to availability and will expire on 6/3/16.  So please don’t delay if you would like to attend as the previous events have sold out!

To learn more about the Bootcamp series, visit www.bfbootcamp.com.

 

by

My Pinnacle Network announces June 2016 schedule of B2B networking meetings

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

My Pinnacle Network – Mansfield, Wednesday, June 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 20 Cabot Blvd., Suite 300, Mansfield, MA 02048.

My Pinnacle Network – Marshfield, Thursday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 165 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050.

My Pinnacle Network – Westborough, Tuesday, June 7, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m at Digital Federal Credit Union, 18 Lyman Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

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

NEW LOCATION – My Pinnacle Network – Braintree Third Thursday, Thursday, June 16, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 100 Grandview Road, 4th floor conference room, Braintree, MA 02184.

My Pinnacle Network – Bourne, Thursday, June 23, 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.