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By Stephanie Artino
Co-Chair AIS, Co-Leader Downtown Buzz
My, how time has flown by! It seems like it was just yesterday I was hearing about this new networking group in town called the “Whatcom Young Professionals”. Our first social in June of 2006 was the Tiki Party at the Lakeway Inn - a huge success which launched the beginning of a new style of networking that blends the social and business elements of building relationships. But that’s not all; we also offer educational opportunities to our members by making learning fun and broad in scope to appeal to the diversity of our membership base.
As I prepared the WYPs trivia for May’s networking game, it felt really good to review where we’ve been. So, I thought it might be fun to take a stroll down memory lane…after our launch, our social moved to the Squalicum Boathouse in July, hosted by Bellingham Business E-view where the brave of heart sang karaoke. In August, we took our first of what would become an annual boat cruise around Bellingham Bay, hosted by our founders Jessica McCaslin & Jodie Beatty from Waddell & Reed. In September, Neighborhood Mortgage showed us a great time at the Jekyll & Hyde Deli. We moved to Nimbus in October and the Fairhaven Martini Bar in December. Still in the mood to celebrate after the holidays, Edward Jones kept the party going at the Alaska Ferry Terminal in January 2007. Barkley Chiropractic and Hansen Denture Center really had us rolling at the Upfront Theatre in February. We decided to bring it back where it all started at the Lakeway Inn for more comedy in March. Peoples Bank and Net Solutions brought out the Survivor in all of us at the Extreme Sports Grill in April. What better way to kick off the summer in May but at the Big Fat Fish, which led us to a Bellingham Bells Game in June courtesy of the Northwest Business Monthly. The party continued into July with “Carnival Fantastico” at the Lairmont Manor courtesy of Pro Marketing Works and Health & Exercise Prescriptions. Excellence NW took us cruising in August and in September Moss Adams wined and dined us at Whatcom Winemakers. All the ghouls and goblins at Neighborhood Mortgage spooked us at Broadway Hall in October. But in December, it was all glitter and glam at the Squalicum Boathouse, courtesy of Silpada Jewelry and RBC Dain Rauscher. Which brings us into January of 2008, Fitness Gear reminded us of our resolutions to stay fit and eat right at the Wild Buffalo. Smith Barney, Glacier Lily Event Design and Lotta Fuda brought back the 80’s in February at Hot Shotz and still in the dancing mood, we moved to the Majestic in March for a swingin’ time, courtesy of U & Me Dance and Waddell & Reed. Most recently, we ventured to the Silver Reef Casino in April for a magical evening and then had an awesome Barbeque on the Bay at Sapphire Cove with Snapper Shuller Kenner in May.
But we aren’t just social butterflies ALL the time…we’ve also been busy little bee’s finding out the latest business buzz, while getting our caffeine buzz! For those that are up early in the morning, we start the week at Barkley Starbucks at 7am, Wednesday mornings with Troy Wills. If you can’t quite get there that early, you can join Jodie Beatty & I at the Downtown Starbucks at 8am that same day. On Thursdays, you can join Anny Havland at the Bakerview Starbucks at 8:30am. Each Morning Buzz location offers an opportunity to connect with other WYPs members to talk about what’s going on in your business, find out what others are up to as well as general community information. It’s even more fun to drop in on other locations to see what the latest juicy news is going to be!
Wait – that’s not all! Have you heard about the Adventures in Success series (previously known as the Professional Development Series)? If not, you are missing out on a GREAT opportunity for your business. These limited-attendance events are an opportunity for you to learn things that can be easily applied to your business. We’ve talked with successful business leaders Mike Allsop, Ken Hertz and Gerald Baron who have shared what has worked and also what hasn’t. We’ve also been able to see, hear, touch and feel how businesses run, through taking facility tours of Aluminum Chamber Boats and Alcoa Intalco Works. Did I mention the CRAB FEED and BEER that we’ve enjoyed too? If that didn’t get your attention, how about learning from your own peers through our WYPs member panel discussion, where you can learn what our own members have done that has worked well in their businesses!
Last, but certainly not least, WYPs believes in giving back and supporting our community. We had our first successful “Buzz-off” competition last year where each Morning Buzz location played against each other in a friendly soccer tournament to raise money for charity which raised over $5,000! We also had a team for the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis in December, which raised over $500. We are gearing up to do it all over again, this June, with our Bowling Tournament where we can hopefully beat what we raised last year.
Whew - Look what we’ve accomplished over the past 2 years! I’m so proud to be involved with such a great organization that has helped my professional career as well as build great friendships. All of these activities enable me to be a better resource for others. If you have had any doubts about the value or mission of WYPs, hopefully this helps remind you of our accomplishments and benefits. If not, make sure you talk to one of the advisory council members – we are always looking for feedback on how we can improve!
Please help us celebrate our birthday on Friday, June 27th at Park Bowl!
 How to plan a successful networking event
By Tally Rabatin
Net-work-ing: the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.
Now that we are all on the same page, nowhere in that definition are the words cheese and crackers and elevator music! That’s right, this month’s how to guide is all about planning a successful and enjoyable networking event. The Whatcom Young Professional’s host a monthly social event that usually becomes the talk of the town for months beyond for one reason, and one reason only. It is fun! Planning an event is a lot of work but here are the do’s and don’ts of how to make it successful but smart.
Do:
- Develop a strategy for success. Create a theme that your event will revolve around. This helps the planning process but also gets potential event goers excited to see what you have come up with!
- Create a realistic budget. This is the basics of business, you need to know what your limitations are in the beginning so you can cover all of your bases successfully.
- Consider logistics. What type of mingling are you interested in? Do you want people to be engaged and have a formal structure or do you want people to hob-knob and be self-sufficient? This is important, because not knowing this tends to lead to a bunch of people in a room looking at each other not knowing what to do with themselves!
- Publicize. I can’t stress this one enough. It absolutely blows me away when people don’t “hit the pavement” and expect a killer turn out. The Whatcom Young Professionals offers its members so many ways to get your info out to the membership, you would be crazy not to take advantage. I am sure every single one of you have gotten at least one invite or flyer from me! Use this aspect of your membership, this is networking!
- Keep it personal. People are there to see you… make yourself available to chat and mingle, and keep announcements light. One on one time with your guests is far more meaningful than a 10 minute speech about YOU.
Don’t:
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Feed people bad food! That is very blunt but seriously, these people decided to come to your event instead of going home to family or other commitments. The least you could do is give them something good to snack on.
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Expect everyone to be interested in just you. Let people mingle and socialize with all the guests. They are there to network as well, and an excessive amount of “structure” events limits this.
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Forget door prizes. Always have giveaways…everybody loves free stuff, and collecting business cards gives you the contact information from your guests.
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Kick back too much. This is an event that you are hosting and you need to be able to have a professional conversation with a potential client at any point of the event. Celebrate afterwards.
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Forget to follow-up. This is the cardinal mistake of event hosting; you have to follow-up with people. These are potential clients and thanking them for their attendance is not only the polite thing to do but is also a great way to start a conversation.
Quick Tips:
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Use professionals… I know I always say this but that is why they are in business! Professional caterers take so much stress off of you, and their delicious treats blow meat and cheese trays out of the water!
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Music is a must. Having a band or even some soft music, just not elevator music, in the background keeps people happy. Just make sure the music is low enough to allow for chatting.
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Web invites are awesome. I am sure everyone is familiar with E-vite but if you aren’t this is a great tool to get information about your event out to people. As professionals, the majority of us are at a computer or have a black berry attached to our hip… which makes this a great asset. No postage necessary.
And of course, understand that events are a form of marketing that does not necessarily give immediate results. So do not get discouraged that your phones do not blow up the next day with new leads. If you had a successful event you can believe that people are going to remember it, and remember you. Personalizing your business is what grows your customer base, and having a networking event that is successful and does not include stale crackers… can be the one thing that makes that client think of you instead of your competition! Happy Planning… I expect many invitations.
Overheard @ The Buzz
By Anny Havland and Troy Wills
Calling all buzzers, calling all buzzers, June 27th for our charity buzzzzz off. Bakerview, Downtown and Barkley morning buzz locations will be bowling their socks off for their chosen charities. Tally Rabatin of Dream Maker Bath and Kitchen will be at this event tallying up the winning scores. I heard that the BIAWC stepped it up as a Strike sponsor for the buzz off. Hmmmm, is it true that Bakerview took home the championship last year? Why, yes it is all true all of it. Well actually it depends on what you heard. I have heard plenty of good juicy stuff and you know I will spill it.
First things “1st,” Team Bakerview. So, you must have all heard about the car that crashed though the window of this buzz location? Yikes, good thing it wasn’t the same morning of our buzz. Apparently the car went straight though the lounge area. We all got to witness the lasting skid marks left on the floor so we know it wasn’t just a rumor. Nancy Leavitt sang the American Family Insurance jingle over coffee and good networking. Pete Holeman, realtor at Keller Williams Realty shared with us how to think and speak positive. “Today is my BEST day ever.” How am I doing Pete? A big happy birthday goes out to the BIAWC who just celebrated their 30th year in business. Birthday’s birthday’s, I also heard that Drew Graham from the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating his 40th birthday this month. Hey Drew, 29 for life my friend, 29 for life! Hey Troy…. Please tell about the “worm girl” that I keep hearing about from the May’s social.
Heeeelllooo Anny…the worm girl…hmmm? I do remember hearing about her as well, however didn’t see her in action. However I did see in action the girl in the red boots and hat from Wisconsin! They certainly know how to raise them in Wisconsin to have a grrreeaat time. She is Katie Jensen’s, from Whatcom Community College, best friend and was out here visiting Katie. She was doing the boot scooting boogie, Macarena and shaking what her mama gave her…woohoo! I also have some dirt to share…Scott Hume from RBC Dain Rauscher announced he is moving the firm over to the Barkley area this fall, very exciting. Tony Branch mentioned he got a new hot tub, do I hear some bubbly in the tub, hubba bubba? Teresa Alexendar from Premier Agenda mentioned she is looking for people with unique jobs…her company is teaming up with a TV Production Co to film peeps with the most unique jobs around the country…go Teresa…go Teresa..show us whatchya got…ummmhmmm…we are feeling it!
Ok, on to downtown buzz. Joshua Pickett from Wells Fargo was in an accident up in Vancouver. Apparently he knows all about getting your car back across the border so if this happens to you call Joshua. What’s this I hear about another batch of babies on their way? New member Tim Uttech with 7 Seas Designs, who are making our wonderful shirts for the buzz-off, is going to be a dad to twins in November and Sabrina from Whidbey Island Bank is due in August.
If I haven’t heard the latest, don’t worry because I will find out somehow, someway, somewhere and if you want to hear about it make sure to read next months issue. Keep on smiling my friends because life is gggggreat!
Buzzing off at a location near you,
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Anny Havland, Neighborhood Mortgage
WYPs Advisory Council, Bakerview Buzz Leader
& Monthly Social Co-Chair |
Troy Wills, Peoples Bank
WYPs Advisory Council, Barkley Buzz Leader
& Monthly Social Co-Chair |
How You Can Support the Buzz-Off
By Erika Arnold
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Consider being a Buzz-Off sponsor – Being a sponsor provides numerous benefits for you and your business including:
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Recognition in Wyps marketing material(s) – This is a great opportunity to show your commitment to our community and let them know you care! Thank you NW Business Monthly and Evergreen Team Concepts for being King Pin Sponsors.
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Take home banner with your name on it.
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Opportunity to distribute your marketing materials to 100+ people.
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Potential to increase your bottom line - Did you know that a study by some leading university researchers found that businesses that donate to charities earn back $6 in sales for every $1 they contribute to good causes? Is this what people mean by “give and you shall receive”? Umm.
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Tax deductions, after all who wants to pay more to Uncle Sam?
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Giving feels gooood!
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Make a donation or pledge – This is an awesome opportunity for all of us to do something active about complex issues facing our community – poverty, hunger, etc.
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The Bellingham Food Bank helps feed the less fortunate in our community. 35% of the people they help are children. 15% of them are seniors.
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Lydia Place offers shelter to women and children, in addition to offering parenting training, and assistance in transitioning them from poverty to independence.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters provides one-to-one mentoring relationships between children and positive role models so that kids can develop into responsible adults. Children mentored by Big Brothers Big Sisters are 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs.
Now, I realize that some of us who are new in business may not have the resources to be able to help out monetarily, so we have some other ways that you may get involved.
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Donate a door prize, like Silver Reef and the Big Fat Fish Company did. Need some ideas for a door prize? Give us a call and we’d be happy to help you brainstorm.
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Bring your friends, colleagues, and family to Park Bowl on Friday June 27th and bowl. Remember bowling doesn’t require too many (if any) skills. After all, it’s just as fun to bowl with bumpers as it is trying to beat your highest score. If bowling is not your cup of tea, come down anyway have some pizza and cheer us on!
On a final note, I just want to give a huge thank you to those of you who have already committed your support in the Buzz Off, whether it was sponsoring, donating, signing up to play on a team, donating a door prize, or just helping us spread the word. Your support is not only greatly appreciated, but it will touch and benefit many individuals right here in our community.
If you would like to join us in our effort make a difference in our community, please give us a call or send us an email.
Special Thanks to our Buzz-Off Sponsors
Whidbey Island Bank
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen
Barkley Chiropractic
RBC Wealth Management
James Sweeney – Dentistry
Oasys
U & Me Dance
American Family Insurance
Costco
BIAWC
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