-          The need for new ways to use assets, perhaps even moving into other areas or markets

-          How to build a business using old assets in a new way

-          Happy to be working in a non-corporate environment

-          The desire or need to spend less time on business – more on personal

-          Interest in additional resources for those 60+

-          The desire to do something that would be a meaningful contribution to others.

We also opened the subject of “exit strategy”, both in terms of business and personal. At this point in life, it’s not just about building or maintaining a business, it’s also about how you want to eventually leave the business…and your life. Lots to consider, so that will be the theme for the next Morning Café on Monday, July 11^th, 10 – 11:30 a.m. An invitation will be going out later this month, but you can reserve your seat now by sending an RSVP.

This month’s Evening Café is scheduled for Thursday, June 23^rd, 7 – 8:30 (new time) and will be held at Irene Ankner’s loft, which is located at 123 E. 54th St., #2C (corner of Lex). Our theme for this meeting is “body image”. This is where we’ll talk about all those face and body changes we’re seeing that we’re not liking too much. If you’d like to attend, it’s a good idea to let me know now. This one will be popular.

Before I go I’m sharing a few resources and groups I’m aware of that you might like to know about.

Transition Network, http://www.thetransitionnetwork.org/Default.aspx

Encore (careers) http://www.encore.org/

Seniors for Living, http://www.seniorsforliving.com/?gclid=CKjBxtbCpKkCFQbc4Aodvl4DtA&

Vibrant Nation, http://www.vibrantnation.com/

If you know of any others please forward to me and I will pass them along.

The theme for this meeting was the “sense of loss”. While the circumstances were different for each of us there was a commonality of feelings. The loss of valuable relationships was the main underlying theme. Whether through death or illness of a loved one, the loss is felt deeply and we each will need to compensate in some fashion. That’s totally normal. The objective is to make the compensation as positive as possible in order maintain a sense of control in our own lives. Mary shared some of the things she is doing and is an inspiration for us all.

I know how hard it is to experience loss because I’ve been through it too. What I have learned and have come to embrace is that change and loss are an inevitable part of life. Without sounding too philosophical, I find it has helped me to identify areas of my life that could be developed. I have come a long way from being that burnt-out workaholic trying to make up for losses in my life. My business is on a new path with those in their “platinum years”, I have love in my life again, and I’ve expanded my inner circle to include wonderful people like you. I feel blessed and honored.

I always encourage group members to follow-up with anyone from the group if they are so inclined. That’s part of what the Café’s are about…making new friends, sharing experiences and offering support.

Irene Ankner has graciously offered her loft (123 E. 54th St., #2C) for our next Evening Café which will be Thursday, June 23rd at a new time, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Our theme will be “body image”. And please plan to join us for our June 6th Morning Café from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. That will be at our regular location, the Bluebell Café, 293 Third Ave. The theme for June 6th will be “challenges of the 60+ entrepreneur”. Please send your RSVP now for either of those to marian@primestrategies.com with the Subject as the Cafe and the date.

New this year was the Hot Tech demos and awards, plus the Small Business Strategy Award, given to one business for entrepreneurial strategic excellence.

To get a sense of the action view the gallery of photos from our professional photographer, Jeffrey Holmes, and follow the post-event dialogue on Twitter.

Press Coverage

BAJ Design Blog – Ovation at Summit
NorthJersey.com – Tailoring Tech for Small Business
Solo Business Marketing – Summit Review
Laurie McCabe – Top Trends Most Evident at the 2010 Small Business Technology Summit
WOR NewsTalk Radio 710 – Quinn Talks Business at The Small Business Summit 2010

Press Releases

Broadlook Receives 2010 Hot Tech Award
GreenhouseIT wins 2010 Small Business Strategy Award (pdf)
Overwhelming response to the ‘HOT TECH’ Demo opportunities at Small Business Summit 2010 (pdf)
Fifth Annual Small Business Summit Presenters (pdf)
Fifth Annual Small Business Summit (pdf)

Interviews

Small Business Trends Radio

Send e-mail to info@smallbiztechsummit.com to add your name to the mailing list for an invitation to Small Business Summit 2011.

$9000 website makeover with Kutenda.
Nexus Blackberry Curve (courtesy of Sprint).
IOLO System Mechanic software cd (to clean my computer).

While she’s not yet a full-fledged entrepreneur she raked in some fabulous tech tools to help her get started and stay on track. Many other prizes were given out during the day, but Sana is the only one winning 3.

Seems like a good omen for Sana’s future.

I’m one of the 16 small business experts and I’ll be speaking on the topic, “The Leader Mindset: What is it and How do I get it?”. Some of the other topics are:

Build a Successful Referral Engine

Eight Insider Marketing Secrets

Client Retention Strategies

Top Selling Tips for a Challenging Economy

Organize With Confidence

Getting Started With Social Media

and much, much more.

You can access all 16 presentations during the week of Nov. 2 – 6 without charge. Click here to register.

It’s a virtual event, conducted over the web.  (no makeup, no shoes required) and it runs from Nov. 2 – 6th. My topic is “The Leader Mindset: What it is and How to Get it”, which will be aired on Monday, Nov. 2nd from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Once you register you’ll have access to the entire series. Click here for the full line-up and to register.

And, the best part…  there’s no cost to attend!

Although the content is directed to business women, they tell me no one will be checking ID’s at the (virtual) door, so the men out there can listen in on the strategies that will be shared.

If you have all the business you want, no need for you to register.  If you don’t, you’ll want to register to find better ways to market, sell and propel your business to where you’d like to be.

By attending this virtual tele-summit, you’ll get loads of innovative ideas and strategies for generating new business – all from the comfort of your home or office.

Check it out for yourself.  I know you’ll agree with me.

This is a not-to-miss event!

Register now!

See you there.

The response to this call was amazing, so I know using partnerships for growth is a topic many people want to learn more about.

If you were interested but couldn’t be on the call, not to worry. Click here to listen to the tele-class. 

At the end of the call I made a Special Offer to everyone on the call. I’m leading a brand new rich-in-content 4-week tele-series, “Six Strategies to Turn Your Business Into a Fast-Track Growth Machine!” starting in October to reinforce what you learned in the tele-class, go into more depth, AND to provide you the tools and guidance to help you structure a growth-oriented partnership.

The Special Offer for the 4-week tele-series is a Savings of $50 if you sign up by midnight, Wednesday, September 30th. Use discount code BIZPC50 to capture the savings when you register. After September 30th, it’s goes back to the regular fee of $197.

With the response I’ve received so far, I expect to fill this program very quickly. I don’t want you to miss out, so I invite you to take advantage of this limited time Special Offer now.

Follow this link for details and to sign-up.

I hope you’ll be joining me for the tele-series starting on October 14th.

Led by Marian Banker, MBA, Business Leadership Coach
Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 1 – 2 pm EDT

Did you know that one of the least expensive ways to grow your business is through some form of partnership. Big businesses do it every day, in a big way. It’s one of the major ways they grow.

Dallas Business Journal reports, “American Airlines has forged a three-year marketing partnership with National Football League’s New England Patriots.” This partnership has a specific purpose and goals, as should all partnerships.

These same strategies can be applied to your small business to achieve similar results. B-U-T a good intention is not enough to make the partnership achieve the goals you and your partner both want. Actually, looking for a partner isn’t even the first step.

In this one hour teleclass we’ll be covering what you need to know in order to turn your business into a fast-track growth machine using partnerships.

Get all the details and register (FREE) at http://www.primestrategies.com/successful-partnerships-teleclass.

Here are some of the highlights.

To get a good handle on your top customers, run a sales-by-customer report sorting by the amount they spent with your company in 2008, and a second report for 2009. Compare the two reports. How many of your customers changed positions? Do you have a few new names on the top in 2009? If so, what happened to the customers that got bumped off?

Sales reports uncover trends and cycles, but only if you are looking for them. Even if your company’s sales are stable, take a look at the details—which customers are buying which products or services, and when they are buying them. Your customers should be categorized by industry in your accounting software so you can sort by that field, creating industry-specific snapshots of your market. By understanding the granular data that makes up your sales figures, you can target your marketing appropriately. Sell to your customers when they typically buy, and you should sell more.

Read about all six sales secrets here.

Ellen also has just posted her new white paper, The Importance of Software Training, which is an eye opener for those scrimping on training to save money.

Thanks, Ellen, for continuing to educate us.

In August, I’m offering a Business Partnership Clinic for those who are ready to actually take strategic action in their partnership. It’s conducted as 3 one-hour weekly tele-sessions. First session is August 4th. Read the details and sign up at link above.

Finally, if you haven’t already seen it, view the 4 + minute video, Shedding Light on Business Partnerships.  I didn’t create this, but it’s right on about partnerships and very well done.

If you’ve seen anything of interest on partnerships, please add in your comment.