Regional Networking Group

 To Host Seminar Series

NEW MILFORD — Members of the New Milford-based Housatonic 50th Chapter of (Business Network International (BNI) will host a free series of seminars to help other area business owners and business people succeed. Titled “Success: Sink or Swim In These Challenging Times… It’s Your Choice,” the series will feature interactive seminar meetings on Wednesdays May 6, 13 and 20, from 6:30 to 9 pm, at the Holiday Restaurant.

The series is designed to help area business people and businesses cultivate strategies for growth and financial flexibility. The three nights of presentations will provide insights into how to make a business or career transition and how to make use of essential resources.

“The ambition,” explained BNI Chapter President and New Milford attorney Katherine Webster-O’Keefe, “is to provide other local area business owners with fast, tactical advice and counsel on how to grow their business, manage their costs effectively, how to best transition careers, plus achieve growth and enduring financial security during these economically challenging and life-changing times.”

On May 6 the two-part program “Sales Strategies for Growth and Finding Financial Flexibility” will begin with “Frustrated With Top Line Growth and Ever-Increasing Expenses? Need to Do Something About It?” presented by sales trainer Ed Schultek, an authorized licensee of Sandler Training in Southbury. Mr Schultek will discuss how prospects read you, what messages you convey before you even talk about product or service, why people really buy a product or service, and how to connect your product/service to each prospect’s need.

“The benefit,” stated Mr Schultek, “will be more closed sales with current customers, more new customers who stay with you because they see you as a trusted advisor not just a vendor, plus how to protect price points so your margin stays healthy even in this tight business environment.”

The second portion of the May 6 program, “Finding Your Financial Flexibility — Giving Yourself Operating Room…Now!” will be presented by accountant, Derek J. DeLeo, CPA, ABV, a partner with the firm of Equale & Cirone LLP in Danbury and New Milford. Mr DeLeo will help business owners and financial managers analyze and understand their company’s financial operations, and provide them with tools to optimize cash flow.

The May 13 program in the series, “Making a Career Transition,” will begin with “Managing Transition When Downsized.” Presenter Gary Passineau explained, “When someone loses their job the questions become, ‘What do I do now? Who do I turn to?’ There are many roads to choose from. The question is, ‘Which road is right for me?’ The choices made will obviously affect the rest of a person’s life.” Mr Passineau of the William Raveis office in New Milford, entered the real estate industry after experiencing several restructuring and downsizing experiences and a long career in a variety of sales positions in the food and beverage industry.

The second portion of the May 13 program will feature photographer Rich Pomerantz of New Milford, who will discuss “Managing A Career In Transition….Steps for Going It Alone,” in which he will identify steps and tools needed to go from where an individual is currently to where he or she wants to be. Mr Pomerantz will outline how he planned and executed his transition from being a successful lawyer into a successful career as a freelance photographer.

The May 20 program, “Partnering With Your Essential Business Resources,” will begin with “Achieving Growth Through Strategic Alliances” presented by Richard Scaldini, PhD, founder and president of Spearpoint Strategy Advisors, LLC in Warren. Dr Scaldini will focus on achieving growth and enduring financial security through business investments that include acquisitions, sales, mergers and joint ventures.

The second portion of the May 20 program, “Insurance — A Misunderstood Tool to Strengthen Your Business,” will be presented by Kurt Steiger, financial services consultant with New York Life in New Milford and Stratford. Mr Steiger will provide insight into how to use and coordinate an insurance program to strengthen a business and prepare for unforeseen events.

“Teamwork, How to Develop a Team of Trusted Advisors,” will be the third portion of the May 20 program. Richard Herrington, president of Nicholas-Tobin & Associates in New Milford and Kent, will discuss the “Four Circles of Influence” every business owner needs to cultivate. Learn who advisors are, their roles, and their interactions, to ensure that your business is receiving the best advice.

Attendees to the series will also have opportunities to speak and network with other successful business leaders who are supporting the series.

There is no cost for each program, however, reservations are requested by emailing the BNI Housatonic 50th Chapter at info@bninewmilford.com, or visiting the chapter’s website, www.bninewmilford.com.

Refreshments will be served. The Holiday Restaurant is at 1 Kent Road/Route 7 in the Big Y Shopping Center at the intersection of Routes 7 and 202.

For more information, contact Katherine Webster O’Keefe at 860-350-5009.