Upcoming Events

Previews of 2012 classes

Limited Seating. Preregistration Required.

Toledo Preview

Friday, March, 16

9-11 AM

Directions Credit Union, 5121 Whiteford Rd.

Findlay Preview

Tuesday, March 6

1-3 PM

Findlay Chamber Boardroom

Classes Starting

Friday April 13, 8:30 -10:30 AM, see calendar for location

Tuesday, April 24, 9:30 -11:30 AM, see calendar for location

Questions? Wish to register?
Contact Us

Networking Notions

Skuttle Butt

My friend, Scott McBride, Ray of Life Healing Center, attended a seminar that I co-presented with my friend, Jenn Wenzke, on Wednesday evening this past week. Of the 30 attendees, Scott was the only guy and he knew this going Read more >>

• Our Customers’ Testimonials

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  “Thanks to my Connext Nation class end of 2010 my business has increased over 200 percent! We are a national virtual architectural office with one architect and four part time draftsmen. From our experiences with Debby Peter’s Connext Nation course we are now more focused on our target markets and know how to handle ourselves in most networking situations. We strongly recommend this course.”

  

  -- Bill Steele,
  HIREarchi

• 

  “…much has happened in my development as a business owner these past six months. I have been able to achieve a firm level of clarity and confidence that has positioned me to market my services comfortably. In line with this, I recently decided that I was ready to look into BNI. This morning I went to my first BNI meeting and despite my newness found myself fully prepared and at ease with my surroundings. Though the group I visited is likely not the best fit for me, I am committed to visiting other groups until I find the right fit.

  “When I left the meeting, I found myself inside one of those pure gratitude moments. I thought about all that I have learned and gained from CN and how it has been worth every dime spent. A year ago, I attempted to go to a BNI meeting in Monroe and found myself sitting in the parking lot unable to go in. This morning I attended a meeting with great confidence knowing exactly what I was able to offer and receive as a part of a networking organization.

  “I want to thank you so sincerely for the CN program and the education and wisdom both of you have given me. I know that I am successful and I know why. I am ready to fly!”

  

  -- Leah Beck,
  President/ Motivational Writer, Speaker, Teacher ,Certified Life Coach,RiseTyme Coaching, LLC

• 

  “I have been involved in networking for my business for the past 12 years, and thought that my networking skills were pretty good. I’ve been a member of BNI for most of those 12 years, and felt that I didn’t need to take the CN class because I already knew what I needed to know about networking.

  “When the economy took a hit, my business suffered, and I knew that I needed to start doing things differently. I finally took the plunge and signed up for the CN class. Boy, do I wish that I had done that years ago! I thought that I was a good networker, but I quickly learned in CN that I had only been scratching the surface of my networking possibilities.

  “The CN class taught me how to ask better questions of the people in my networks so I can learn how to help them better, and how to be more effective in making referrals to them. I also learned how to develop deeper, more intentional referral relationships with key networking partners, and I’ve seen tremendous improvement in the results of my networking efforts as a result.”

  

  -- Richard Chamberlain,
  Law Office of Richard M. Chamberlain, Ltd.

• 

  “As a Realtor® I am responsible for promoting my business and meeting my continuing education requirements. With the current economy I have become more cautious than usual in spending money. I got much more than I anticipated from the CN Program. Not only did I satisfy my elective CE courses I have tracked new business gained by using the tools I learned in the program and I have more than paid for the class in just a few months. I am thrilled with the success I have had since completing the program.”

  

  -- Colleen Robinson,
  Realtor® ,Re/Max Preferred Findlay

• 

  “The CN class taught me to narrow my focus to what I was passionate about – women in my own age bracket. Not only did I gain more loyal clients, I realized I had more to offer and started an image consulting business.”

  

  -- Louise Kahle,
  Owner ,Take the Time, Image Matters

• 

  “As a Realtor with RE/MAX Preferred, I am an independent contractor with lots of support as far as the RE/MAX name recognition but very little monetary support. I am responsible for all of my expenses plus RE/MAX national and local fees, local multiple fees and continuing education which can get quite expensive. With the help and the benefits of CN, I am able to network more proficiently and zero in on my target client. CN has also helped me to develop skills needed to develop referral partners which is particularly necessary in this current real estate climate.”

  

  -- Arlene Gerig,
  Realtor® ,Re/Max Preferred Associates

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  “I found CN extremely beneficial not just learning the correct way of networking, but building lasting relationships. People that became friends during the classes. Then they became referral partners which continue to build today. I have made lifelong friends and business connections thanks to CN.”

  

  -- Mary Ann Mills,
  Realtor® ,Re/Max Masters

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  “This class showed me how to grow my business by having great relationships and not having to go by the book of old school cold calling.”

  

  -- Allison Hammons,
  Commercial Insurance Consultant ,Knight Crockett Miller Insurance Group
  419-241-5133

• 

  “At networking events, the topic ALWAYS gets to how bad the market is. People are surprised that for some (like me), it’s a great time. If you have the current facts and figures, you are viewed as an expert who can be referred to friends. (Oh, by the way, competition is actually going down. Realtors, who were used to the easy money with little work, are starving and getting out of the business or going to part time.)”

  

  -- Bob Werner,
  Realtor® ,Re/Max Masters

• 

  “I found the CN program instrumental in helping me both widen my horizons around who might make good collaborative partners and potential donors as well as focusing my efforts in a way that allows me to make the most of my very limited time. These skills have made it much easier for me to serve my constituents in a meaningful, successful manner that would not have been possible otherwise.”

  

  -- Kim Welter,
  Program Manager, Equality Ohio ,Formerly Executive Director of Equality Toledo

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  “CN taught me the importance of developing relationships with decision makers. More importantly, I came away with tools and ideas on exactly how to find decision makers and how to develop a lasting business relation with them. I use these skills everyday while working with current customers and developing new ones.”

  

  -- Debra Greenley Gorman,
  The Chocolate Shoppe, Inc.

• 

  “I am a MetDESK Specialist, MetLife’s Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids. I help families with the legal and financial issues as they pertain to planning for the future. CN has helped me learn how to identify a target market and develop my business. When I went through CN class, I was taught that your Target Market is the cake and everything else is the frosting. Now, that I understand that, 60% or more of my business comes from my target market.”

  -- David W. Achen, CLU, ChFC,
  MetDESK Specialist,MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids ,Brennen Financial Group, Ltd

• 

  “When times are tough in the business world, we have to realize that there is plenty of business for us all, if you work hard enough to find it. This means, thinking of others before yourself, always asking “How can I help you?” and you must differentiate yourself from competitors in a unique way, and finally be specific in what you are asking for, so you can bypass the gatekeeper and get right to the decision maker. These are all of the qualities that I learned in the CN course and have built upon them for the past four years.”

  -- Darlene Knapp, CPA,
  Manager/Business Development Coordinator ,Knapp & Associates

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  “The CN Program has given me a proven way to track business. I have been implementing the program for 1 year now and I know the importance of developing relationships with referral partners (Mod 5) but I also realized that by being visible and credible (Mod 2), has helped me gain new clients and increased my business by 62%.”

  “I am now at the profitable stage and I am still enjoying meeting people, making connections and making money! Thanks CN!”

  

  -- Joani Donovan,
  Ultimate Body, Mind, & Spirit, LLC ,joani@ubmsmassage.com

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  “The purpose I took the CN program was to develop the fundamental skills to create a successful business. In the end, I learned that creating relationships with others and helping other businesses grow through developed referrals is essential to the success of my business.”

  “From module 5–Activating Your Referral Network, I developed my “Overview of My Services” sheet. This is a great tool I use when presenting my business to my referral sources. It allows them to see what I do, who my target market is, type of referrals I am looking for and questions to ask potential clients.”

  “The CN program has brought in 83% of my clients this past year. Module 6 taught me to teach my referral sources about my business to the point they are doing the sale for me. Now, 91% of the clients I meet hire me. That is so cool!”

  

  -- Angie Weid,
  Organized Solutions ,angie@iorganizeyou.com

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  “When I was asked to take the course I knew it was a challenge from our President and CEO Dan Rogers, I knew this because I know him. When I attended the first session I was a little unsure about it because there were all business people in the room and I was the only Social Service Provider present.”

  “Well I’ve been in Social Services for 18 years and sometimes you can get caught up and forget why you do what you do and the reason as well. The class helped me through the Emotional Based Marketing (EBM) really tap into the reason why I still believe and know that people can change their lives. The class was like getting a fire started again- focusing in on my target market and my EBM was like a little spark that then got fanned every week and is now flaming again- I still everyday think about this is why I do what I do and it keeps me much more focused, calm and relaxed knowing that if I can live a life of transformation so can our guest.”

  “Thank you CN for taking a burned out person and igniting a spark that is now a flame again. I am grateful for the course and I look forward to participating in the future.”

  

  -- Avis Files,
  Vice President of Programs ,Cherry Street Mission Ministries

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  “Wow, I’ve really learned a better way of doing business through CN! The power of a focused, specific target market produces amazing results. I really struggled with that concept in Module 1, but now that I’m on the other side, I’ll never look back again. Taking the CN Class was the best business decision I’ve made yet!”

  

  -- Julie Cantu,
  Innovative Marketing Design ,success@juliecantu.com

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  “Now that I have a system to rely on for business growth, I know who to go to (thanks to module 2) and which steps to take (thanks to module 5) to gain high quality referral business.”
  “My client base is 37% higher and my referral pipeline has grown 50% since I began implementing the CN system!”

  

  -- Merri Bame,
  Executive Communication Coach ,merri@bbbcommunication.net