This Week's Presenter Is...

Rowan Smith, Mortgage Broker

The Mortgage Centre

Mortgage broker Rowan Smith works for you, not the lender. Mortgage brokers are paid a one-time commission. They require no benefits from the banks; they pay for their own offices, and they are offered no other pay or fringe benefits from their lenders. In short, it is cheaper for the banks to offer mortgages through lenders than through traditional banking branches where they need to pay rent, salaries, benefits, insurance, and so forth.

Thursday's presentation featured compelling examples of various people Rowan has recently helped. These included an 82 year old West Vancouver pensioner with a valuable home he'd owned for many years, but also a substantial debt load he'd accumulated as a result of helping family. (No good deed goes unpunished?) By restructuring his client's debt, Rowan reduced monthly payments from $2,062 (mortgage) plus $2,250 (credit card) to a vastly reduced payment of $1,397 for BOTH (versus a total of $4,312 a month). Savings of $2,915 per month!

Another story Rowan shared with us demonstrated his remarkable skill in negotiating mortgages for the self-employed, people that banks routinely turn down because of their inability to prove steady income. One such client had been a successful commercial welder for 10 year -- he'd earned $75,000 annually -- but because he'd started his own business less than a year ago and hadn't yet filed the pertinent tax return, three banks and two brokers turned him down. In all of 24 hours, Rowan had his client approved for a $650,000 home purchase. The man bought a home for $625,000 less than a week later.

Two banks also turned down a movie industry worker for being "high risk", but Rowan stepped in and got the individual (who'd paid $1,750 monthly rent) into a $475,000 condo, where mortgage payments are no higher than rent had been.


It seems that no matter how sticky a mortgage qualifying situation may be, Rowan is the man to step in and render it workable. Got an oil tank in your yard? No problem! Rowan can coach you (as he's done for the owner of a Commercial Drive "old timer") in how to have said tank removed according to city bylaws. You say your rental suite isn't "approved" (fact: they almost never are) and the bank won't give you credit? Turns out there are ways to make that suite income usable, and Rowan can walk you through the process.

Whether you're ready to buy your first home, or looking to renegotiate an existing mortgage, remember that conventional lenders have no vested interest in getting you the best possible deal. Rowan Smith does, and he knows what he's doing. So contact him today and "take the hassle out of financing your castle."

Phone: 604.657.6775
Toll Free: 800.774.8818
Fax: 604.637.2139
smith.rowan@mortgagecentre.com
Website: rowansmith.ca
Blog: mortgagecentrecitywide.com/blogs/smith

This Week's Presenter Is...

Shannon Larson, Registered Acupuncturist

Shannon Larson Acupuncture

Trained to work with a wide variety of conditions, Registered Acupuncturist Shannon Larson specializes in women's health, with a focus on fertility and pregnancy. Shannon's presentation centered on a well-known troublemaker from which no human being is immune: stress.

Banton Medical Dictionary defines stress as:

Any factor that threatens the health of the body or has an adverse effect on its functioning , such as injury, disease, or worry. The existence of one form of stress tends to diminish resistance to other forms. Constant stress bring about changes in the balance of hormones in the body.

To understand stress and its treatment from an acupuncture and Chinese Medicine perspective, it's worth beginning with Yin & Yang 101. Yin and Yang represent balance, with Yin referring to body fluid, blood and a generally cooling effect, while Yang is warm and maintains the smooth flow of Qi (essential vitality or energy) throughout the body's meridians (channels that may, in Western Medicine, correspond to fasciae, which are the many connective tissues surrounding muscles, blood vessels and nerves.)

The liver conducts Qi's movement throughout the body. When we're unusually anxious or out of sorts, this critical organ is unable to do its job properly and then ... Houston, we have a problem:

Liver Qi stagnation -- aka, STRESS.

Symptoms of liver Qi stagnation include pain along sides of the body, depression, mood swings, inappropriate anger, abdominal discomfort, churning sensation in stomach, and a host of others.

Acupuncture alleviates liver Qi stagnations not only by moving blood but also moving Qi (i.e. releasing the dam). Points are chosen based on the affected meridian pathways and tailored to each individual's physical response to stress. The goal? Balance the yin relative to the yang and move Qi, thus bringing the body back into balance.

Shannon stresses, however, that no ethical practitioner wants to keep her patients forever. The obective is to bring patients back to a state of balance and easy self-maintenance.Prevention works too, so Shannon encourages us to eat whole, organic food, regularly and in healthy quantities (i.e. 80% full). Exercise (20 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week), meditation/deep breathing (20 minutes a day), and sleep also help keep us balanced and thereby healthy.

Shannon practices Wednesdays and Thursdays at:
Alchemy and Elixir Health Group
#320 - 1026 Davie Street, Vancouver

On Tuesdays and Fridays:
Bonn Chiropractic
3-1238 Homer St, Vancouver

Contact Shannon today to find out how acupuncture can bring you relief from pain, discomfort or stress.
Shannon Larson Acupuncture: Using an age-old medicine to cure today's modern pains.


shannonlarsoshannonlarson@gmail.com
website: vancouvertcm.com
cel: 778 233 0074

This Week's Presenter Is...

Christine Turner, Travel Agent
The Frugal Traveller

Our gadget-loving travel agent Christine Turner of The Frugal Travelers drew upon her visual savvy as she treated us to a slideshow featuring, among other tempting sights, images of tropical wedding destinations.

Christine, who herself tied the knot in Varadero, Cuba, dispelled the myth that destination weddings are more expensive than locally planned celebrations. On the contrary, destination weddings can save couples an average of $15,000.


The average cost of a wedding in Canada, once you've factored in expenses for a banquet dinner, flowers, cake, photography, DJ, ceremony and venue rental costs, can be upwards of $20,000. By comparison, the cost of a Mexican resort wedding event can be as little as $5,000, and with Christine sourcing out the best possible package deals, destination weddings can be an excellent value, even considering travel costs.

Another advantage? Because the celebration is spread out over several days, couples can spend more quality time with their guests.

All-inclusive Luxury
You don't have to be engaged to take advantage of the many luxury travel deals accessible to Christine. Packages can include such pluses as "no wrist bands" classification (nice not to stand out like day-glo signage when you're out and about) and an English-speaking staff. Often you'll have a choice of several upscale restaurants, and if they do require reservations and no seats are available, you'll be given a pager so you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink as you wait for notification. 24 hour room service may also be available.

What's the deal with travel insurance?
Many of us may assume - erroneously, as it turns out - that the travel insurance policies provided by our credit card plans are more comprehensive than may be the case. Trip delay insurance can be particularly tricky. For instance, while your policy may (or may not) cover rebooking due to flight delays, it won't cover missed flights for other reasons, e.g. your shuttle bus breaks down en route to the airport. To learn more, please read Christine's informative blog post, To Insure or Not to Insure ... Travel Insurance & Credit Cards. Given that trip delay insurance can be purchased for as little as $7 a day, it's an option worth considering.


Ready for a vacation? Contact Christine today and put her expertise to work for you.

Travel better. Spend less.
1 866 988 5283
christine@thefrugaltravelers.com
www.thefrugaltravelers.com
blog.thefrugaltravelers.com

This Week's Presenter Is...

Rachel von Sturmer, Insurance Advisor

True Benefits Financial


True Benefits is an independent life and health insurance brokerage. As its founder and principal, Rachel works hard to find her clients the best coverage and pricing from over 25 top Canadian insurers. Committed to sustainability, True Benefits goes paperless where possible, buys recycled office products such as stationery and cards, offsets their carbon footprint, and has a company SMART car.

Services include: Customized insurance recommendations may include Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Benefit Plans (5 - 150 employees), Health Trusts for Self-Employed Persons, Individual Health and Dental Plans, or Mortgage Insurance.


This week Rachel focused on the services she offers in her capacity as a Life & Health Insurance Advisor specializing in employee benefits. Because small businesses often find employee benefits unaffordable, Rachel brought to our attention the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, which is pooled and flexible (you can choose types of coverage rather than having to buy a packaged plan), thereby being a more realistic choice for many small businesses. The Chambers Plan also offers guaranteed renewable coverage. Visit chambergroup.ca for further information, or contact Rachel to see if the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan is right for your business.

Phone: 604.872.2866

Fax: 1.866.385.2002
Email: rachel@truebenefits.ca
Website: truebenefits.ca
Blog: truebenefits.typepad.com

3 Steps to Writing The Perfect Blog Post

If you are like me, you usually watch a movie, read a good book or listen to a song and then move on. You either find it trash or memorable. There is once in a blue moon though when you find a really great movie and you can identify with all the characters, you may even remember some of the things that they said for years to come. The one thing that makes that book, movie, or song really great is that it told a good story.

If there is one thing that catches people's attention these days is a good story. It usually has something that people can relate to on some level, that may be going on in their own lives at that particular moment. The same might go for someone who is reading your blog or listening to your 60 second infomercial in BNI.

There are three single most important things that are good to do when sitting down to start blogging:

1. Tell a story - stories stick like peanut butter for the brain. It is one way people with an active imagination can relate to the scenario as well. The best way to be a good story teller is to start reading and do it every day. It’s amazing how much context you can give your posts when you incorporate funny stories, insightful anecdotes and timely real-world news.

2. Have a Beginning a Middle and a memorable end - if you look back to the days when your parents read to you at bedtime, those stories always were perfectly constructed for a small mind with no attention span, engaged the reader and had a nice moral ending. I am not saying that everytime you sit down it must be a cliff hanger, or you have to turn into the next Mark Twain. Take the blog post and break it up so that these three rules apply and you are golden.

3. Contain me, me , me - my husband is right, it is all about me, but don't you notice that the stories that have the most impact involve the writer doing something wrong, or learning a lesson. Most blogs don't publish their misgivings or mistakes as it makes bad PR, but there is a way to wrap that story up with a good moral at the end on how you learned your lesson and you learned it well.

Tips to Save Money or Time with Technology in Small Business

If you are like me, you are continuously looking at the advances in new technology and wondering if you and your business can keep up with it. But what if you turned your thought process the other way around? What if, by using technology you actually saved money and time?

Here is a list of tips that may help out any small business owner to save money by using a small amount of technology

1. Recurring Expenses – look at your recurring list of monthly expenses. By upgrading to a yearly plan or paying for the full year in advance, can you save you some time and energy?

2. Your website – any business without a website is really a waste. But when small business first took on the whole idea of the website they also took on the high monthly fee for SEO and a big flashy template. Now that blogs and websites are meshing together it is not necessary to have just a website. If your traffic suggests, re direct your URL to a blog or another site where you have better traffic and less expense.

3. Your land line phone – do you really need a land line? If you said yes because I have a fax machine then your answer is wrong. You can get internet fax service for as little as $7 a month. On the flip side, a scanner is also considered legal for documents as well. If you can’t bear to give up your telephone then ditch some of the unnecessary things such as call waiting and call forwarding. The first time you put someone on call waiting is usually the last. That is what voicemail is for.

4. Your mobile phone – take a look at your bill and see where your money is actually going. Call your provider and have a conversation with them every quarter. Most companies won’t tell you they have a new special or a new package unless you call or visit in person and ask.

5. What are you paying for your anti virus program? – most expensive antivirus programs have fees to renew each year. Try using a free antivirus program like Avast. It may be missing the bells and whistles of the built in firewall and email spam filter, but most Windows programs now have these built in anyway.

6. Use Google – Google has all of these great free applications that are awesome for the small business. Google calendar, task Manager, alerts, real-time, desktop and analytics. If you can figure all of these out, they are free!

7. Never impulse buy technology – if you are like me, I get about 3 calls a week from some American firm wanting to sell me some sort of lovely real estate program that will make my life easier and give me thousands of leads that are ready to buy a home yesterday. Have them send you an information package and then do your own home work.

8. Ask for help – instead of spending hours on hold with tech support and getting people who may or may not be in India and use English as their second language, ask your friends of family for help. Do you want to set up a face book business page for yourself? Chances are the teenager down the street can do it in ten minutes, plus he will work for a gift card to Best Buy.

9. Don’t send out Refrigerator magnets - seriously, how many times do you go to the fridge to see the date? Even use an old fashioned calendar? Carrying a business card may become obsolete soon. Try different forms of marketing to get to your clients, and download bump on your I-phone. Then you can just bump phones and the information has been shared. How easy is that!

This Week's Presenter Is...

José Juan Ordóñez, Owner
Minuteman Press


BNI Connections' go-to full service printer José Juan Ordóñez treated members and guests to an informative and enjoyable presentation which included:


· a bit of personal background (A married father of three boys, José speaks Spanish, English, German and French. Prior to embarking on his printing career, he managed an amusement park, voted by Applause Awards as the world's best from 2008 to 2010!)

· an overview of the Minuteman franchise (With over 950 locations worldwide, Minuteman was rated Number One in the industry by Entrepreneur Magazine in its January 2010 issue.)

· a brief history of print (Developed by Johann Gutenberg, the printing press has been declared the most important invention of the second millennium. Take that, IBM!)

· an explanation of how offset and digital printing differ (Offset printing involves an inked image being transferred - i.e. offset - from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. The digital process applies a digital based image directly to various media; it's a great choice for short run jobs in monochrome or colour.)

· a comprehensive list of products and services, which run the gamut from business cards to catalogues. Click here for detailed information on over 60 products and services.

· a magic colouring book (You just had to be there!)

Whether it's announcements or annual reports, postcards or posters, contact José and discover why Minuteman Press is "the first and last step in printing."

Website: dtvancouver.minutemanpress.ca


Email: jjordonez@minutemanpress.com


phone: 604.685.0016


fax: 604.685.0216


1348 Burrard Street · Vancouver, BC

This Week's Presenter Is...

Claire LeLacheur - Realtor, Prompton Real Estate


For someone who, by her own admission, has been known "cuss like a sailor", realtor Claire LeLacheur unfailingly delivers a lively, informative and PG-friendly presentation. It was easy enough to understand Claire's frustration and its attendant vocabulary restraint as she debunked myths and discussed the media's alarmist approach to all things Vancouver real estate.

One media-perpetuated misunderstanding centers around the term "HST free". Advertising re-sale style property (e.g. a previously owned house as opposed to one that has yet to be built) as "HST free" is like pitching water as "calorie-free", Claire explained. The various services involved with buying real estate, however, are subject to the new tax, as are newly built properties.

Another popular issue is the much-hyped 30% decline in sales. While there is some truth to sales having declined significantly over the past several years, what these articles fail to emphasize is the fact that property prices remain stable.


For a particularly insightful take on the Vancouver housing market, see Claire's blog post "Doom and Gloom and Bursting Housing Bubbles Again?" It contains a Vancouver Sun article by Chris McInnes whose last paragraph is, Clarie maintains, the best and most realistic:

Is a three-point increase in interest rates over the next few years more likely than a major price correction? I think so, but lacking a crystal ball, I still believe the best advice is to give up trying to time the ups and downs of the housing market. I think the best advice is to buy a home when you can afford it and you find one you like. After a few decades, you'll still have a home, no matter what kind of investment it turns out to be.

So, thinking of buying a home? Don't be ruled by fear. Click here to receive a free copy of Claire's book, A Guide to Buying Real Estate in Any Confusing Market.


Ultimately, whether you're looking to buy or sell real estate, it's a great idea to contact Claire. Remember: In any market, experience counts.

Website: www.thinkclaire.com


Email:claire1@shaw.ca


phone: 604-649-9253


fax: 604-255-1510

This Weeks Presenter Is....

Naz Degan, Matchmaker


Divine Intervention Matchmaking

Matchmaker extraordinaire Naz Degan brings to Divine Intervention a worldly sensibility and a resolve to search "anywhere and  everywhere" to find those perfect someones for her clients. After graduating from university with a major in Psychology, she moved to London, England to pursue post-graduate studies in Events Marketing.


Inspired by European joie de vivre, Naz found herself pondering that  there was more to life than the fast-paced, career-driven pursuit of  success so prevalent in North America. After all, where's the fun in success if you have no one to share and enjoy it with?


Determined to help busy professionals find meaningful, long-term relationships, Naz returned to Vancouver and established Divine Intervention with her business partner, Susan Semeniw. So why would successful, attractive, busy professionals need matchmaking services? The answer is in the question: Because they're busy. Even online dating is time-consuming, and frustration ensues when, after that investment of time, the parties meet in real life only to find their chemistry amounts to zilch.


Divine Intervention meticulously screens and follows up on their clientele. Armed with knowledge of exactly the qualities they're looking for, the matchmakers attend a host of events and fearlessly approach ringless individuals. Highly discreet and discerning, Divine Intervention offers services that include unwavering personal coaching and support to build self-confidence.


With a 60% success rate (i.e. matches resulting in long-term relationships), Divine Intervention is an infinitely better choice than your "mother's neighbour's unwed cousin." So send your busy single friend to divinematchmaking.ca. Who knows? You might be dancing at his wedding soon!

Naz Degan

Web: www.divinematchmaking.ca
Email: naz@divinematchmaking.ca
Tel: 604.649.9564
Fax: 604.564.0866

Intra Facebook Inbound Links - You Should Just "Like" Us!

Have you ever notice once you have "liked" a fan page on facebook, that once they start posting you have the option to comment on their post or to "like" it as well.

There are reasons for this and not just because we want to hear from you and your comments. (We really do like your coments!)

Google views these likes and comments as intra facebook inbound links. The more of these you have on your facebook fan page the more Google will see more reciprocal links between your Page and your Page’s fans. Google sees this as a stronger bond and creates a virtuous cycle of improved link weight from the indexed profile page stubs to your Page, and vice versa. Translation - Google likes it and makes your SEO (Search Engine Optimization Ranking) even bigger, meaning you get more fans who are not your Mother!

I have created a list of BNI Connections Members who have a facebook fan page. Go on! Click through, read the content and show the "like"!

Craig Boyd - Precision Athletics
Claire LeLacheur - Prompton Real Estate
Rowan Smith - The Mortgage Centre
Shannon Larson - Accupuncture
Erika Siverston - ERKA Interior Design
Kristie Thomas - Cranberries Spa
Sandy Huang - Pinpoint Tactics
Bart Bubak - Equilibrium Chiropractic
Christine Turner - The Frugal Traveler
Naz Degan - Divine Match Making

And of course not to forget - our own BNI Connections!

The Power of Written Testimonial

I wanted to share this interesting little story about Testimonials from Ivan Misner, founder of BNI.

We’d been meeting about two months, and at the end of one meeting the chiropractor in our group came to me and said, “Ivan, I haven’t gotten a single referral yet. Now, I know it takes time, but here’s what concerns me: Nobody has even come up to talk to me or ask a question about chiropractic care. How can they refer me?”



I said, “You’re right. You’ve got to get them to use you so they can refer you. Why don’t you offer a free initial consultation to get them to come in and see what you do and how it works? Then they’ll be able to refer you.

“Here’s what you can do. At next week’s meeting, just stand up and offer everyone a free first visit—even throw in an X-ray and do an adjustment—so they can see what chiropractic care is all about.”

Of the chapter’s couple dozen members, only one guy said he’d visit the chiropractor.

The chiropractor came up to me at the end of the meeting and said, “Brilliant idea, Ivan. They didn’t exactly flock to me.”

The following week, the meeting was moving along nicely, we were passing referrals, and it came around to this guy who visited the chiropractor. He stood up, hesitated, looked at me, and said, “Ivan, I don’t have a referral today, but I don’t want to pass I’d like to say a few words.”


He said, “Well, I just want to talk about Dr. Rubin. I had an X-ray done. He showed me all around his facility, explained all the things that he did, and then he did an adjustment.

“I’ve had lower back pain for about seven years,” he said. “Nothing incapacitating, just a nagging ache that bothers me when I stand too long.

“For the first time in seven years, my back doesn’t hurt! You all are crazy if you don’t take him up on this offer! “I just wanted to say that,” he said, and sat down.

I looked around the room and saw people picking up pens and filling out referral slips for the chiropractor.
 
Looking at at the power of the BNI testimonial, it can work wonders for your business, but there are some key components to making it work for you:
 
1. Focus on One - don't share a laundry list of people's services that you have used. Focus on the one person and their attributes.
 
2. Be Specific - generalities does no one any good. Be very specific about the person and the services that you used and how it made your life easier, and what the member did right.
 
3. Give a First Person Endorsement - tell the chapter what it did for you. Tell people about how good you feel about what they did right.
 
4. Give it in Writing - there is nothing better then walking away from a BNI meeting with something in your hand that says you did good. Also it looks like the person giving the testimonial as put some thought and energy into what to say about you and your business.

Bonus Tip: Wouldn't it be great to take that written testimonial and put it on your linked in site, website, blog, twitter and facebook fan page?? That is the perfect marketing tool.

5 Rules for Managing Your Emails

If you are like me - or any small business owner for that matter - emails are a important part of communication. In fact more people are trending towards the email communication then towards the now more antiquated phone call. An email can be short and sweat, sent at 3:00 AM so as not to disturb, but it can also contain a "to do" list, most of which must be addressed in a time sensitive matter.

Here are some small but proven tips on how to stay on top of your in box, and keep things at Inbox Zero.

1. Don't let it dictate your day - start your day by cleaning out your inbox and replying to those emails that need attention. Check it again at lunch, and then again in the afternoon and evening. Try not to be a reactive business owner, every time an email comes in you must react to it.

2. Work backwards - when you read through your emails, work from the oldest first, that way they get attention first. Reply, delete, or file.

3. Deal with email once - dont let one email over whelm your day. once you receive it, delete, reply and delete, or reply and file. Make your inbox organized. Have files for your clients so that all correspondence is saved under their names.

4. At the end of your day make your inbox at your comfort level, so you don't have to start your day tomorrow with a huge "to do" list.

5. Reply - there is nothing worse in my world then sending off an email into cyberspace and never getting a reply. I spent the time, so you can to. Reply with a quick thanks for the information and move on. That way you won't be plagued with emails in your inbox that read, "did you get my message."

Always remember that small business etiquette applies to emails as well. Small steps in organization and respect can lead to big rewards down the road.

An Hour a Day - How to Keep your Social Media Addiction in Check

If you are like me - or any small business owner really - social media plays an important part of your business. But time is limited and it is a rare day that I dont answer the phone while in the bathroom. Multi-tasking at it's best. If you let it social media can suck your time, and use up all of your day if you let it. The important part is not to let it take over your life.

Here are a few important tips to be smart with your time and your social media campaign:

Plan social media into your schedule for 30 minutes 2-3 times a week.

1. Turn on your computer and open 7 windows. Twitter, Facebook including your Facebook Fan Page, your website, and 2 of your favorite news websites with pertinant news on your industry. Move fast, don't get distracted.

2. Facebook: Scroll through the page – make 3 comments on other people’s posts. Post what you are up to that day. Respond to anyone who has commented on your status or left you a message. Move fast, don’t get distracted.

3.Twitter: Click your @ button. Anyone who has mentioned you – thank them publicly. Respond to DM’s. Scroll through your home page and re-tweet 3 things of interest. Move fast, don’t get distracted.

4. LinkedIn: Post your status update. Don't re invent the wheel, it can be the close to the same status update that you posted on Facebook or Twitter. Eventually you will have your Twitter feed update automatically on LinkedIn. This will save a few minutes. Respond to any messsages, join a group and make a comment on that group. Move fast and don't get distracted.

5. Blog: Post a quick blog post . Place a feed from your blog on your facebook fan page, then Twitter it, both with links to your website.

6. Close All windows Really the most important and relevant step, along with move fast and don't get distracted.

Pick a schedule and do this exercise two to three times a week.

If you follow this schedule it will become a habit. Also don’t underestimate the power of commenting and interacting – this is probably MORE important than posting your own content and links. Social media is just that – social!





BONUS TIP: Plan into your schedule an additional 2-3 hours a week if you are a blogger to sit down and write at least 20-30 relevant articles for your blog for the next month.

This Week's Presenter is....

Ian Scott, Managing Director
BNI BC

BNI BC Director Ian Scott works with and provides support for more than 1200 referral marketing networkers in British Columbia.

In his ongoing quest for innovative ways to grow one's business, Ian has found social networking, and particularly LinkedIn, to be very effective. LinkedIn eliminates the need for cold-calling, Ian explained. It's a network of trusted contacts, making it easier and more comfortable for people to promote one another.


Ian invited BNI Connections to play a role as his LinkedIn "test chapter" for 10 weeks, and we gladly accepted the invitation. During the 10-week time period, Ian will refer to our goal sheet, essentially a detailed list of potential members we're hoping to add to our group. He'll keep an eye out for these people, and when he sends their names our way, we as a chapter will decide which of us  would be the most appropriate to contact them. For example, if Ian were to share the name of a Vancouver-based massage therapist, someone on our Health & Wellness Power Team would be asked to contact her.
Although BNI remains a face-to-face networking organization, Ian stressed that we can't allow ourselves to go the way of dinosaurs. Social networking is here to stay. Fully half the population of  Canada is under 30 years of age (a statistic cosmetic surgeons must love), and 96% of those people engage in some form of social networking. 'Nuff said.
So check your Tweets. Update your Facebook status. Join LinkedIn. And remember: Missing a BNI meeting can be hazardous to your wealth!

Facebook is all A Twitter!

This is not new news, but timely for BNI Connections and its members who have facebook pages and fan pages to promote. Facebook is offering users the ability to tag your friends in status updates and posts.

Facebook explains:

Now, when you are writing a status update and want to add a friend’s name to something you are posting, just include the “@” symbol beforehand. As you type the name of what you would like to reference, a drop-down menu will appear that allows you to choose from your list of friends and other connections, including groups, events, applications and Pages. Soon, you’ll be able to tag friends from applications as well.

Once tagged users will be alerted via email and it will also show up on their wall, and the @ symbol will simply dissappear with the hyperlink in its place.

The wonderful thing about twitter has always been its ability to track and monitor conversations and tweets about you or your business. With this feature from facebook it will give you the same functionality. Each time you’re tagged (ie someone starts a conversation), that tag will appear on your wall. It gives you one centralized place to watch for new brand mentions. If you see one of your Fans or Group members talking about you, you can get in there and go participate. You can calm concerns, answer questions or give out high fives to people who are just excited about you. It makes you part of the conversation.

So you are thinking why bother?

Every time someone tags you, or reciprocally you tag someone and start a conversation or give a testimonial about their business and how they conduct it, both my friends and your friends see it on the wall. If you have a fan page, all your fans can see it, making it a viral testimonial and a very good place to start. As every good small business owner knows, good news travels quickly!

This Week's Presenter Is....

Erika Sivertson, Founder & Principal
ERKA Interiors
An accomplished interior designer who loves her work, Erika Sivertson enjoys the clean, elegant esthetic of her Swedish heritage. When she meets people embarrassed to admit they own Ikea furniture, she puts them at ease. "I like Ikea," she says. "The furniture may not be built to last a lifetime, but the design is great."

Ikea is known for design that optimizes use of space, and Erika also embraces this strategy. Wasted space is the enemy, she says, and  it's a point of pride in her own work that every inch is used in the most fucntional and visually pleasing way possible.

Whatever Erika's personal tastes, she listens closely to her clients and ensures their own personalities shine through in the finished design. So whether you favour minimalism, a traditional style, or a Bohemian look, Erika can work with you to make your space truly your space. And she'll do so using environmentally friendly products and  renewable resources (consider beautiful and sturdy cork flooring) whenever possible.


Contact Erika today and put ERKA Interiors to work for you. ERKA: It's Swedish for "great design."


Cell: 604.728.9780
Email: erika@erkainteriordesign.ca
Website: erkainteriordesign.ca
Blog: erkainteriordesign.ca/blog

Dressing For Your Profession

Mark Twain once quipped, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society.

Everyone know that you get 30 seconds to make a first impression on your new client. In that 30 seconds they will not only make a judgement on you, your personality, how best you will represent them in the sale, but also they will make a judgement based on what you are wearing. It is important that you dress for your profession.

Appearance can create credibility. You know this from your own experience watching TV interview shows. Think of the number of times experts from opposing sides of an issue have made good points, but you remember what one said simply because that person was better dressed and looked better on the screen.



When dressing for your career, remember that you want to be noticed for the quality of your work--not the horrible miscalculation of your duds.
 
If a personal trainer showed up to work, or a meeting in a suit and tie, what would you think about that trainer? Personally I would think twice about using his services, because how much time does he spend in the gym in that get up. Alternatively, if my accountant showed up to our meeting in a spandex workout suit, I would question her ability to add numbers, and get my taxes done correctly and on time.



Remember: Always dress for the task at hand. If you're a civil engineer headed for a construction site, jeans and work boots are fine, they actually give you credibility amongst your peers, not to mention being job site appropriate. But, if you are heading to work in jeans and work boots and you are a accupuncturist, hopefully you have a dear friend or colleague who will stop you and remind you that you may be fashion impaired.

This Week's Presenter Is.....

Greg Wold, Partner

Starfish Communications Ltd.



BNI Connections member Lili Derk's business (and life) partner Greg Wold spoke on behalf of Starfish Communications Ltd. Incorporated in 1996, Starfish Communications is a small company offering big results at competitive rates.


Starfish specializes in print and web-based graphic design, as well as writing and editing, for a broad range of clients. Their services include (but aren't limited to) the creation of:

 · logos


 · the overall "look" for communications materials


 · business cards and stationery


· brochures


· programs and other lengthy documents


· ads (from newspaper to billboard)


· posters


· web products including ads, graphics, writing and entire sites.


Greg's presentation focused on the process involved in working with a graphic designer, and how to get the most value from that process.  He explained what constitutes an effective document, and addressed the questions of why someone would hire a graphic designer in the  first place*, as well as how to work with one effectively**.


To discuss your graphic design needs, contact Greg or Lili at Starfish: they're affordable, creative and effective.

*For the same reason you probably don't cut your own hair **Communicate, communicate and communicate.

Catch the Wave: Link Your Message to a Hot Topic!

If you really want to get a lot of random hits on your blog or website, don’t just use keywords that relate to your business – use keywords that relate to general news topics.
Twitter is a great place to find these key phrases because they list the ‘hot topics’ right on the site. If you use Ymail for email (Yahoo’s version of Google’s Gmail), you’ll be able to quickly see top news topics for world news, entertainment, sports, and so forth.
One of the hot topics in BC today will be the controversial launch of BCLC’s new online casino website. (Note the keywords I used there: BCLC, online, casino). This will most certainly be the top story on the TV news today as anti-gaming groups voice their opposition to this new government revenue stream. People seeking more information on the topic (or looking to gamble online in this new way) will enter similar keywords and voila, your blog may appear.
It’s ideal if your blog is actually related to the topic as opposed to a mention, but either way, the Google bots will pick up your blog (and consequently your website) and it will improve your overall standings.

So the next time you hear a story about Britney Spears or the BP oil spill or whatever’s the hot topic of the moment, try to find a way to link that topic to your blog & watch your Google page status increase.

Consistency Is The Key To Success

Webpage created? Check.

Facebook page created? Check.

Now before you go too far building your online image, you’ll want to consider these 5 tips for success:

SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS CONCEPT

The look & feel of your online image should support your business concept or product. If you charge professional fees for your service or deal with legal/government affairs, you’ll want a higher end website (ie. Strategex Group Chartered Accountants or Pinpoint Tactics – both of these have depth (multiple pages) and have been professionally designed).

A business who’s value proposition is “affordable luxury”, will want an easy to navigate website, such as Cranberries Spa – prices are easily accessible and the call to action is on every page.

BE CONSISTENT

All of your social media sites should have the same look & feel, the same logos & headers, and display a consistent visual message. For a great example of this, check out Rowan Smith. (Vancouver mortgage broker with The Mortgage Centre) His various online presences are consistent throughout:

• website • blog • YouTube • Twitter •

USE RELEVANT TEXT

People will put specific words or phrases into Google to find a business. By using these key words in your blog, ‘About’ page and throughout your site, you’ll improve Google’s ability to find your business & put you higher on the search results page.

Precision Athletics has done a particularly good job of this, with lots of relative phrasing of “Vancouver personal training”, “boot camp” and emphasis on “discounts or specials for group fitness”.

A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS

As with Tip #1, you want photos & videos on your website to be consistent with your profession. An interior designer could show a work-in-progress, but the final photos should be polished & reflect the quality of their work (see Erka Interior Design) . On the other hand, if you’re selling travel, you know that people don’t want to see the airbrushed photos of the resort they want to book – they want to see what they’ll really experience (see Christine Turner‘s travel videos).

LIKE BLONDIE SAID, CALL ME ANYTIME

While it should be obvious, if your call to action isn’t abundantly clear on each page of your website, blog, or Fan Page, you’re missing the boat. There’s no value having hundreds of new people visit your sites if they can’t find a way to reach you. Add your phone number and email to each page and on the main pages, make it strong & large.

It’s also a good idea to add a link to your other Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages for easy reference.

Once you’ve got these social media tips in place, your online presence will be consistent and you should start to see your Google ranking improve. All in 5 easy steps!

This Week's Presenter Is...

Christine Turner, The Frugal Travelers

Our travel agent Christine Turner of The Frugal Travelers tempted us with extraordinary package deals that deliver luxurious experiences at remarkable discount rates. Christine loves to "sleuth out" the most compelling deals and options to achieve her primary goal: securing the best possible prices for her clients. Christine also specializes in destination weddings and beach holidays.

Below are a few great deals Christine is currently offering. If you'd like more information on any of them or would like to book, just give her a shout at 866.988.5283 or email christine@thefrugaltravelers.com. Please note that indicated prices include all taxes.

DISNEY FUN
7-night Disney Mexican Riviera Cruise · Jan 23-30, 2011
Roundtrip LA with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas. Includes shipboard accommodations, dining, entertainment, character activities, US $1504 total for 2 adults and 1 child (17yrs or younger) sharing one inside cabin
Disneyland Package · July 14-19, 2011
Roundtrip airfare from Bellingham to Los Angeles
5-nights Crowne Plaza Anaheim
5-day Disneyland park hopper, transfers
US $600 per person based on double occupancy


WORLD CUP ACTION IN ENGLAND
1-week Package to London, England · June 25-July 3, 2010
Roundtrip airfare from Vancouver to London (Gatwick)
7-nights Majestic Hotel, continental breakfast daily
CAD $1213 per person based on double occupancy



WHAT FLAVOR IS YOUR MARGARITA?
1-week All-Inclusive Luxury Package to Cancun's Mayan Riviera · July 28-Aug 4, 2010
Roundtrip airfare from Vancouver to Cancun, 7-nights 5* all-inclusive El Dorado Royale
BONUS: Includes 2-for-1 beachfront candlelight dinner, $50 massage credit, complimentary room upgrade, and welcome giftCAD $1496 per person based on double occupancy

1-week All-Inclusive Luxury Package to Jamaica · June 27-July 5, 2010
Roundtrip airfare from Vancouver to Montego Bay, Jamaica
7-nights 5* all-inclusive Sandals Ocho Rios
CAD $2174 per person based on double occupancy

Christine reminded us that the first person to contact her and book one of her already incredible Vegas packages would receive a voucher (she only has one!) to save an additional $100 per couple. Book a minimum 3-night air & hotel package for two to the Venetian, Bellagio, or Mandalay Bay, for travel completed by July 10, 2010, and instantly save $100 off the total package price. Contact Christine for further details.

June-u-ary in Vancouver getting you down? Don't let it! Get in touch with Christine to discuss a host of affordable sunny options.

                           Phone: 1 866 988 5283

                           Email: christine@thefrugaltravelers.com

                           Website: http://www.thefrugaltravelers/

                           Blog: blog.thefrugaltravelers.com

This Week's Presenter Is...

Ian Scott, BNI Managing Director British Columbia

Ian's characteristically lively and informative presentation addressed the ways in which BNI chapter members and their guests can mutually benefit from networking meetings. We learned that BNI members receive an average of 30% of their referrals from visitors. But what's in it for the visitors?



Most people familiar with BNI realize that its members are trustworthy business people, but they may not know that if a referral to a BNI member went wrong in some way, they have the option of contacting the chapter's Membership Committee to discuss the problem.


Another fact visitors may not be aware of is that there's absolutely no pressure to join. Individuals are welcome to attend as guests a couple of times to get to know the chapter and what if has to offer. And what we most enjoy offering is business.

BNI Connections and other chapter members strategically seek out people whose services or products are needed in the group. Our chapter, for example, has an excellent health services component - we have an acupuncturist, a chiropractor and a personal trainer - and these individuals frequently need to refer their clients to a massage therapist, who for obvious reasons would be a great fit with the group.


Ian also shared an anecdote that perfectly illustrates the BNI philosophy, givers gain. Some time ago, Ian, who owns an auto-body repair shop, met a woman called Sylvia who'd initially attended as a visitor but soon joined his chapter. Sylvia owns a fabric store, where she routinely gives out fellow BNI members' business cards to her customers. Ian received an impressive amount of business through Sylvia's referrals but felt badly because auto repair clientele typically aren't in the market for floral pattern silks, so he wasn't in the best position to reciprocate. When he told his friend how he felt, she replied "It doesn't matter if you can't give to me. Give to who you can." And that's givers gain in action. What comes around really does go around.

The Anatomy of a Good Referral

The definition of a referral is the opportunity to do business with someone who is in the market to buy your product or serivce. It's not a guaranteed sale, but it is an open door to discuss your business with that person.

There are six points to giving a good referral that should be adhered to.

1. Listen - people love to complain, and in complaining they are emphasizing they have a need. Listen to people that you are meeting throughout the week. A good networker has two ears and one mouth - use them proportinally.

2. Communicate - tell the individual you know that you have someone who can provide a solution to their complaint.

3. Brag - if you have done business with that person of whom you are referring, tell them about your experiences.

4. Swap information - give the individual the information of the person you are referring, ideally their business card. It is also a good idea to get their busienss card as well so you can hand it over to your associate.

5. Get Permission - get permission of the individual for your business associate to contact them. This is key! Get their ideal method of communication, whether it be home phone, cell phone, or text message and communicate that to the member.

6. Don't wait - dont wait until the next meeting to tell your business associate that you have a good referral for them. Get on the horn and tell them now, and then tell them that individual is expecting their call and when. You can still fill out the form at the next meeting but you can also stipualate on the form that the contact has been made.

Here are some examples of good referrals:

Hot Referral:
Someone needs to list their house tomorrow, because they have just been transfered to another city. They have the realtors business card and they are expecting the realtor to phone them this evening between 6:00 and 7:00.

Warm Referral:
Your client fell asleep on the couch and woke up with a sore neck. He needs the services of a good chiropractor and has been given a business card, but will call next week, once he has moved into his new house and things settle down.

Tepid Referral:
Someone who knows they need life insurance, but doesn't know if they can pass the medical exam, or afford it.

Here are some expamples of a referrals faux pas - they qualify as good information but not a good referral.

1.Information about a business meeting. This is an announcement. Good information to have but not a referral.

2.Providing someone with a better source for obtaining business products.

3.Giving the same referral to three different chiropractors or mortgage brokers. Referrals should only be given to one individual.

Hook, Line and Sinker - Secrets to a Great Memory Hook

At BNI every week the members get to stand up and give a 60 second infomercial on their business. Every week the members include things like, their business name, what they do, a story about what they did this week, or how they helped a client and they end it off with a memory hook.

Many people do what BNI refers to as a "tag line" or "memory hook". A short sentence plugged in at the end of the 60 seconds that serves as a tag line for their business. It gets people thinking about your business and it gets you remembered, now and throughout the week - just what everyone needs in this comepetitive world.

What makes a great memory hook?
1. Short and Snappy
2. Easy to Remember

Pretty simple.

Here are some great tips for putting together your own memory hook.

1. Appeal to the 5 senses - A good memory hook often appeals to the basic senses sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch.
Chistine Turner - Where in the World do you want to go? What flavor is your margarita?

2. Use humour -This is an important sense for memory hooks –and a great way to make it memorable – the sense of humour! Making people laugh is one of the fastest ways of breaking down the barriers between strangers and of winning the prospect’s good will.
Craig Boyd - Do More, Complain Less, Repeat - Personal Trainer
Alana Couch - We shoot your relatives so you don't have to! - Wedding and Baby Photographer. Brilliant!

3. Use puns or word play - enables people to see your business in their minds eye.
Rowan Smith - I take the hassle out of financing your castle. Whoever that that one up was brillant!

4.Use your name - Work your name into the tag line
Put a little Joy in your life - event organizer called Joy.

5. Use Rhyme
Dr Bart Bubak - getting your spine in line - chiropractor

6. Use parody - Parody means a song or a phrase the reader or listener will recognize. But you have to be careful – some authors, especially songwriters, are quite militant about copyright infringement.
I believe in the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth, so help me God! - Dentist

These approaches should give you an idea of some of the tools and resources you can use to construct your own memory hook. Notice that many memory hooks use a combination of these techniques. Almost anything you do in the line of word play will come out funny—and that’s the way it should be, unless you’d rather appeal to the heart. Song lyrics usually rhyme, so if you parody a song, it should rhyme as well. And any of these techniques can be more effective if your memory hook is short and snappy and appeals to the senses.

This Week's Presenter Is...

Shannon Larson
Shannon Larson Acupuncture


Although trained to work with a wide variety of conditions, Registered Acupuncturist Shannon Larson specializes in women's health, with a focus on fertility and pregnancy. Pregnancy and labour often bring numerous aches, pains and discomforts that can be addressed by acupuncture, a treatment known to deliver safe, natural relief.

Speaking of "delivery", Shannon, who is also a doula, delivered a great presentation despite having been up all night helping bring a new life into the world. (Mom and baby are both doing just fine!) Shannon gave us a comprehensive overview of the conditions acupuncture can treat, including chronic or acute pain, stress, sports injuries and insomnia. She also taught us about Meridian Channels, a concept central to Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Meridians are channels along which the energy (Qi) of the psychophysical system is considered to flow. During acupuncture treatments, fine needles are inserted into specific areas of the body in order to restore the flow of Qi, and thereby bring the body's natural rhythym back into balance.

Shannon practices Mondays and Thursdays at:

Turning Point Acupuncture
#203 - 1037 West Broadway, Vancouver
On Tuesdays and Fridays:

Alchemy and Elixir Health Group
#320 - 1026 Davie Street, Vancouver

Contact Shannon today to find out how acupuncture can bring you relief from pain, discomfort or stress. Restore balance to your life.

Shannon Larson
Email: shannonlarson@gmail.com
Cell: 778 233 0074
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Shannon-Larson-Acupuncture

Take Your Next 60 Seconds to the Next Level

If you are like me, standing up and giving your 60 seconds infomercial at BNI, can get tedious, frustrating and nerve wracking, and sometimes all at once. There are some great tips that I use every Thursday morning to get myself hyped up and prepared for the upcoming meeting and my 60 second talk, because it could be worth $60,000!

1. Be excited - people want to be around other people who like what they do. Even if it is only 99% of the time it is infectious. If you are passionate everyone will want to listen.

2. Act comfrotable and confident - If you are a member of the chapter for a long time this is easy to do - you are talking to your friends and close business associates. If you are a new member to the chapter, just know that everyone likes you and is routing for you anyway.

3. Prepare - there is nothing worse then meeting with your best client, and not having anything prepared. In the same vein why would you go to your BNI meeting with no preparation, because these people are also your best clients. Practice your infomercial in front of your bathroom mirror for a few minutes every Thursday morning.

4. Get their attention - make yourself stand out. If there are 25 members, 3 subs, and 5 visitors you will need to stand out amongst the crowd.

5. Change it AND use repetition - every member will have some very basic points to their infomercial that should be the standard - name, business name, and memory tag. This creates a clear and concise message of who you are. Your business has many different aspects, so if you say the same thing every week you are not doing a good job of educating your fellow members.

6. Time - everyone gets 60 seconds. If the time keeper is constantly waiving you down it gets annoying to chapter members. Use your 60 dseconds but no more.

7. Know what you are talking about - some sales people can get lost in the sales, Zig Ziglar mumbo jumbo. In BNI there is complete transparency, you can't hide. Know your stuff.

8. Get feedback - ask your fellow members opinions on your infomercial and use the constructive criticims. It will have an impact.

9. Ask for what you want - asking every week for "anyone is a great referral" is like saying for "no one is a great referral". Be specific - it will work.

10. Speak to your sales force - the purpose of your infomercial is to get your sales force - i.e. the members - fired up. Give them something that will stay with them for the next 7 days when they are meeting with their own clients. Don't sell - educate!

This Week's Presenter Is....

Kristie Thomas, Owner, Manager

Cranberries Spa

Kristie owns and manages Cranberries Spa, a cozy boutique style spa located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. She's dedicated to providing outstanding customer service and a great workplace for her staff.


Cranberries services include: facials, massage, body scrubs, waxing, Brazilian (male and female) waxing, pedicures, manicures, gel nails, gel polish and body bronzing.


Very seldom is a copywriter given license to incorporate terminology  like "back, crack & sac" in her work, but Kristie used it in her presentation, so this word nerd sees an opportunity here and chooses to run with it.

(Can I get a "tee-hee"?) Hey, whatever our euphemism of choice for waxing body hair, especially in rather intimate regions, there's no denying its advantages.

With summer fast approaching (so we hope, anyway) many of us are tempted to "go bare down there" and may consider achieving that through the application of depilatory cream. But the harsh chemicals in these products can burn sensitive skin, and, as with shaving, hair is only removed from the skin's surface, so that silky look and  feel is short-lived. Waxing, on the other hand, removes hair by its roots, and results can last 3 - 5 weeks. With each subsequent treatment, regrowth is sparser, hair is finer, and pain is diminished.

So, does waxing (particularly of the Brazilian / Boyzilian variety) hurt? "Well, it doesn't tickle," Kristie says candidly. But with her many years' experience and the quality of hard wax she uses, clients feel a quick sting and then it's over. Kristie also advises taking ibuprofen and drinking apple juice (high in ascorbic acid) before your appointment to reduce sensitivity. In addition, trim hairs to about 1/4 inch and exfoliate the area to be treated.

And while it  may be tempting to spike that apple juice with Stoli, don't do it. Alcohol thins the blood and will make the skin more sensitive, as will caffeine.

To learn more about waxing and other great Cranberries services, check out their website, and consider going bare ... if you dare!

Kristie Thomas

Cranberries Spa
330 Robson Street
Vancouver, B.C.
Phone: 604-696-9191
Fax: 604-696-9192
Email: info@cranberriesspa.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cranberriesspa


Call today to book your appointment!

Taking Control of Your Online Brand

Nobody likes an ego maniac. Especially the new brand of Gen X and Gen Y people coming up in the market place who are slow to trust and very quick to judge. But being a small business owner almost demands that you spend your time talking about yourself, and telling people how great you are.

Personal branding, namely the art of branding and packaging yourself has become a good way to control your online brand, and is vital to career and business development.

Here are a few ways that you can take control of your brand online and set yourself apart from the pack.

1. Craft a compelling pitch. You should know what sets you apart from the pack, and have essentially an elevator speach that lasts no longer then 60 seconds, that tells people who you are and what you do. What better way to perfect that little infomercial then at a BNI Group?

2. Take control of your name. A great way to do this is to have your name .com, .ca, and .net and point it at your website. When someone Googles you (and don't tell me no one will Google you because you Google everyone you meet right?) they will have an immediate search result of you.

3. Create an online platform. Statistics show that when someone Googles you they look at the 3rd and the 7th line. Stack your google search with online platforms that Google loves, such as Facebook, Fan page, Twitter, and Linked In and blog posts. All of these sites you can control what goes onto your profile and what your customers see.

3. Be genernous with your time. It may sound onerous, but volunteering a bit of your time, to peers, associates, and local charities, goes a long way to showing that you are a business person who not only takes but can give back to the community as well. Little acts of kindness go a long way.

4. Be Accessible. Whatever platform you choose to use, accessiblity is the name of the game. People need to know you are out there and they need to be able to connect. After all that is what social media is all about. Answer your emails, direct messages through twitter, and posts on your wall through facebook. If someone has taken the time to ask you the question, the very least you could do is acknowledge that question.

If you want to be the go to person in your industry you must earn people's trust by being genuine, listening and responding to people's inquiries.

P.S. - Money may be tight in the beginning and the start up process of your business, however, when you get to that point when finances permit, go to see a professional designer to create that brand for you. It will save you money in the end and a clean and polished look will go a long way to make you look like the expert you really are.