Former NY Senator Fuschillo to Address Business Community at Image of Success Networking Series February 4, 2014

Acting in his new capacity as head of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), former senator Charles Fuschillo will be a guest speaker at the popular “Image of Success Networking Series” on February 4th at Mio Posto in Hicksville. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the AFA.

“We are delighted that Mr. Fuschillo will be joining us and helping to draw attention to this devastating disease,” says Cathy Berger, founder and president of Business Societé, which organizes the networking series. “Currently over 5 million Americans are afflicted with Alzheimer’s.  The AFA’s mission is to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia and to their families – through member organizations dedicated to improving their quality of life. This is so important to patients and their loved ones.”

The Image of Success Networking events run throughout the year and feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, first rate opportunities to connect with prominent members of the business community on Long Island and beyond and noted speakers to provide fresh business ideas. On February 4th, Mr. Norman Wasserman will be the featured presenter. Norman is a successful producer of concerts and fundraising events throughout the metro NY area and Las Vegas since the late 80’s. He is also the founder of Friend Entertainment USA, which appeals to all ages and adds a new dimension to an old idea – creating highly profitable fundraising events. His topic is “CONCERT + OPM = FUN-RAI$ER.” The event runs from 6-8pm. Mio Posto is located at 600 W. Old Country Road in Hicksville.

NEW YORK (January 2, 2014) — Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) Chairman Bert E. Brodsky announced today that Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., an eight-term New York state senator, has been appointed chief executive officer of the leading national nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to optimal care for individuals with dementia and their families.

Standard and VIP tickets include the program, raffle prizes and  hors d’oeuvres. Standard admission is $18 online or $30 at the door: VIP admission, which is only $39 online or $55 at the door, gets you over $100+ worth of goodies plus a ticket to premium raffle prizes. Online tickets can be purchased at http://bit.ly/K3JQl1. To learn more about this event and future events in the Image of Success Networking Series visit businesssociete.com. If you prefer a direct line to the company, email cathy@fashionsociete.com or call 347.574.4600.

The 3 Golden Rules of Planning a Business Event

Remember the one Golden rule? Many of us have taken it to heart and practice it faithfully.  Other “Golden rules” exist as guidelines, to inspire better actions, to frame your mindset. Regardless of your objective, “rules” exist and can be quite practical. The following are 3 of the very best Golden Rules for planning a business event.

Golden Rule # 1. Know How You Will Measure the Event’s Success

The reasoning for doing this is two-fold: Have the goal in mind from the start so that you are conscious of how to make that happen. Defining a specific outcome should apply to even the smallest business event.

Golden Rule # 2. Direct the details specifically to your target attendees.

Once you know who you want to attend, many options will be up for grabs. Choose the venue that appeals to the audience…. the agenda (panel discussion, roundtable, speed-anything, structured presentations, should please them as well as anything served.  If you don’t intend to invite the entire free world, focus on  who your target audience member is.

Golden Rule # 3. Research the date and time before announcing.

Make sure you check the date on many holiday schedules- school, general, religious. What will be most convenient for your attendees?  Know what their general schedules might be. For example; is it easiest for the event to occur during work hours, lunch, after work, before the work day, or over the weekend?

Trust these Golden Rules to make your business event successful. These are tried and true and found to work. Follow them and then your ultimate success will be more likely and the results far more satisfying.

10 Powerful Secrets To A Winning Image -fantastic article from Canadian Expert Charmaine Mills

Having an image that is of a consistently high standard projects a message of quality and self confidence; it increases your responsiveness to your clients and colleagues, and removes the attention of yourself and onto the needs of the ones you are serving.

As people begin to see your name and become aware of the benefits and knowledge that you offer, before you know it thousands of people will not only know who you are but they will begin to seek out your services and expertise. They will identify with your brand which is you.

1.  Don’t overlook the power of a good first impression. People make amazing assumptions about your professional  credibility and potential performance based upon your appearance during a first meeting. It’s very difficult to overcome a poor first impression, regardless of your knowledge or expertise.

2.  Be notable! Identify the components that differentiate you. How do you stand out among the other options? Perfect an eloquent descriptive and memorable introduction of yourself and your position. To promote yourself effectively, you must know (and be able to articulate) who you are and why you do what you do.

3. Ultimately, it is always the person who dignifies the position, and not the position that dignifies the person. If we want others to take us seriously and view us as a professional, we must first view ourselves as one.

4. Body language is defined as a type of communication between one or more persons which does not utilize verbal words. Instead, body language is read by each person by carefully watching the facial  expressions, hand gestures, posture, and movements made by another person.  Body language can dominate the spoken words.

5. Raise your professional and personal standards until even you are impressed. The pursuit of excellence is not only politically correct it is also highly profitable. Do not settle for mediocrity.

6. You are always making visual statements. No matter where you are going or what you are doing, you are telling people something about yourself.  Thinking “big picture” means that to get where you want to be in three years, for example, you may have to pay extra close attention to those visual statements you are making today.

7. Invest in quality instead of quantity. Have clarity about the purpose you are buying for. Don’t spend money on something that doesn’t look great on you even if it’s almost free! Dress better than you have to and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

8. One of the main elements of an introduction is your smile, or at the very least, a pleasant facial expression. A smile sends a positive message and adds warmth and an aura of confidence. Others will be more receptive if you remember to check your expression.

9. Managing your attitude is an important business tool for every successful leader.  Your attitude is infectious and drives behavior, make it work for you.

10. There is power in perception. To those you meet, how you are perceived is who you are. What kind of image are you projecting? Remember, your career could depend on it.

Charmaine conducts transformational Image & Etiquette consultations worldwide through teleseminars, phone coaching and face-to-face consultations.  Her head office is based in Toronto, Canada.   http://www.advanceimageconsulting.ca

Introducing “40+ Women to Network with Today on LinkedIn”

I'm one of forty plus women selected by the Women's News Bureau!

I’m proud to be one of forty plus women selected by the Women’s News Bureau to follow on LinkedIn today.

The Women’s News Bureau (http://womenpartner.org) has gathered over 40 women for you to network with today on LinkedIn to help you maximize your membership.  Read their news snippets and invite them to connect.  Then strike up a conversation about collaborating to introduce each other to your respective clients.

Now that Fashion Societé is going Co-Ed….

Networking opportunities between the sexes abound so here are 5 spot-on points we love about exchanging business cards from Bags to Riches’s Linda Hollander:

5 Pet Peeves about Business Cards

NAFE member Linda Hollander, the Wealthy Bag Lady, is a 20-year entrepreneur and author of the best-seller, Bags to Riches: 7 Success Secrets for Women in Business. She teaches entrepreneurial women about small business success and is the founder of the Women’s Small Business Expo. Here are her suggestions for creating a professional and effective business card.

Business cards are your chance to make a brilliant first impression that will either lead to profits or frustration. When a person views your business card, you want them to know immediately about what you do, if you can help them, and how they can contact you. Sounds simple, right? Here are some of the most common mistakes:

1. CROSS-OUTS WRITTEN OVER IN PEN. The most egregious mistake! If your phone number or email has changed, please print new business cards. Don’t use a pen to cross out and write the current information.

2. CONTACT INFORMATION IS MISSING. A card with no physical address brands you as a teeny tiny micro-business. If you’re a home-based business, I don’t recommend giving the address of your house – but there are alternatives. Private mailbox rental locations are great because they also accept packages. You can get a post office box, or use a friend’s office as a physical address. When I read your business card, I also want your phone number, fax, web site and email address. Without your email, you look like a dinosaur. If you have a web site, don’t just list it – give people a reason to go there (free report, articles, tips, etc.)

3. MORE THAN 3 PHONE NUMBERS. Too Much Information. Choose the best phone numbers to reach you. I don’t list my cell; I forward my calls to my cell phone if I’m out of the office. If you’ve read my book, Bags to Riches, you know that I’m not a fan of the combination phone/fax. If you’re serious about your business, invest in a dedicated fax line.

4. FONTS THAT ARE HARD TO READ. Fancy fonts for your logo are great, but please choose a standard font for the contact information on your business card. Arial and Times Roman are clean and convey credibility. Another common mistake is colored type too light to read. I’ve seen yellow type on a white background too many times to count. One more point: the difference between a professional designer and a hack is the use of negative space. A beginner crams too much information on the card, creating clutter.

5. NICKNAMES. The name on the top of the card says Elizabeth “Betty” Jones. I have no idea what name to use. Am I crossing the line if I use your nickname? Is Betty only for your close friends? Which name do you prefer? Please pick one name and use it on your business card.

ALWAYS carry your business cards. Your business cards won’t work unless you do. (If you meet people who don’t have their business cards, ask them to write their contact information on the back of yours.) Now, go out there and network!