U.S., SOUTHERN PLAINS: Cup Of Coffee Networkers

By Peter Biadasz
Southern Plains Bureau Chief
(Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico)

Facebook networking has been a lot of fun as well as a learning experience. One thing I recently learned on Facebook is that there is a networking movement starting right here in my own back yard (figuratively speaking). Let me introduce you to the Cup Of Coffee Networkers. The organization, founded by Joe Sting, has some very simple premises; coffee, networking and free.

It started very recently and is growing rapidly. With groups already in three states, Joe believes that they will have several hundred, if not 1,000 clubs by year end. This may one day be world’s largest free networking group, for those that prefer to meet in person. They advertise as: “Come to any meeting, will be 100% free. If you want coffee, you pay the coffee shop for that. Or if you prefer tea, most coffee shops sell that too. Point is, the networking is free.”

He will also start a club in your area if there is not one presently. The nice thing is that it won't cost you anything as long as you follow their guidelines. They will even promote you for free. Can't beat that, can you?

The start of Cup Of Coffee Networkers was very simple. “I met with a few people over coffee to network”, Joe shared with me, “It was discussed that this type of thing should be free. I started a group on LinkedIn called "Tulsa Cup of Coffee Networkers" on November 17th, 2008. I invited people to come and network over coffee. On November 18th, 2008 I started the blog. Out of the first 12 or so meetups, I was alone for about half of them, but I kept at it. Then I joined Facebook and Twitter. Facebook having the Event tool, helped to streamline things.”Joe goes on, ” I would like to have a Cup of Coffee Networkers club in every major city of the world. Small towns too. The networking is free. Will stay that way. Casual, unformatted meetings with people that want to promote their businesses, or careers.”

It is kind of “like hanging out with friends at the coffee shop, all like minded, but there for business”.

There have been many networking success stories noted since the organization began.

Joe, who appears to be well read, suggests Seth Godin (author of Tribes), Napoleon Hill and Og Mandino as authors who have influenced his business and success phuilosophies. Pretty good founadation for a cup of coffee.

If you would like to find or start a Cup Of Coffee Networkers group near you, feel free to go to www.cupofcoffeenetworkers.com


Peter Biadasz, author of such book as More Leads and Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score, is President of Total Publishing And Media. To contact Peter about getting your book published feel free to contact him at Peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com
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U.S., SOUTHERN PLAINS: Cup Of Coffee Networkers

When Networking Makes The News

By Peter Biadasz
Southern Plains Bureau Chief
(Missouri, Arkensas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico)

Recently I had the honor of being interviewed by a statewide newspaper for an article about business networking. On July 23, 2008 The Journal Record ran as its headline front page story, Wheel and deal over a meal: The business of business networking. Reporter Heather Caliendo began the article by stating “During any given week, industry groups meet with one purpose in mind: generating more business.” In the article she touched on referral clubs, networking events, tip groups, Rotary clubs, City chambers of commerce gatherings, Business Network International (BNI) and the quickly growing Gold Star organization. At the end of the article Heather quoted me and noted that I am a writer for The National Networker. It is always nice when networking is in the news.

The article deals primarily with business networking as it is in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While Oklahoma City and other parts of the state of Oklahoma have some good networking activity, Tulsa has set itself apart in the networking community. On any given month in Tulsa there are at least 42 networking groups meeting either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Some are open groups in which anyone can participate; some are closed groups in which only one representative from an industry is allowed. In addition, the Tulsa Chamber has a breakfast network every other month which averages over 200 attendees every time. They also have a business after hour’s showcase every other month in which 250-500 people attend every time. Every August they also have a Restaurant After Hours event which is enjoyed by 500-700 people. If you are ever in Tulsa feel free to visit these events. You will never forget the massive amount of networking that occurs at these gatherings.

Enter into discussion the business of networking: there are two types of businesses in existence, for profit and not for profit. This also exists within the business networking community. The article compared two for profit networking companies, BNI and Gold Star. It appears I was interjected into the article to act as referee, noting that I “witness the competition among networking organizations up close” and I feel that “regardless of which networking group people join, members will most likely be successful” if they work the group as a proficient and professional networker.

Everyone in a networking group is there to improve their business and make money. “It’s no different with the business of networking because Gold Star, BNI, they are businesses to make money” I am quoted again. Then we get to the bottom line. “From my independent perspective, when the bad-mouthing hits my way, I say this is all about networking – let’s put the business of networking aside.” Interpretation - No matter what type of networking organization you are involved in, there is always enough business and a wealth of business relationships, to go around for all networkers involved.

As an unbiased reporter who has been involved in Business networking, both as a participant, teacher and author, for nearly 20 years, I suggest to anyone who asks to find a group your are comfortable in considering the personality of the group, the business you can give and receive, and with the financial obligations, if any, of being involved in the group. I feel that Tulsa has set a great year round-model for business networking. The Tulsa Metro Chamber calls it the Networking Circuit.

I encourage you to contact your local and/or state newspapers to promote the networking activities in which you participate. Let’s keep business networking in the news.
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When Networking Makes The News

Year Round Networking at Tulsa Metro Chamber

By Peter Biadasz, Southern Plains Bureau Chief
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There exists a community in the Midwest which provides quality networking events for the first 11 months of every year. While you may be on your own for December, the month of countless holiday gatherings (I mean “networking opportunities”), from January through November you get to work the Networking Circuit provided by The Tulsa Metro Chamber. The Networking Circuit provided by the chamber includes:

(4) - Regular Breakfast Network meetings,
(1) - Power Networking Breakfast event,
(3) - Business After Hours events,
(1) - Restaurant After Hours event,
(12) - Business Owner’s Forums, and access to a host of open and closed networking groups.

The breakfast events and the after hours events are in alternating months. Therefore, if your schedule is better suited for only morning or only evening meetings, you have the opportunity to attend the most convenient event based on your schedule.

Per Elaine Walsh, Manager, Member Events, “the success of the events is not only in the quality of each event, but in effectively marketing each opportunity so that the membership can utilize the event to have maximum effect for the attendees as well as positive effect on the community”. Elaine mentioned that each event is marketed via several media including mailings, e-mails, tickets, post cards, the weekly Monday Morning Memo online newsletter and The Chamber Report magazine. An annual pass is available for purchase allowing access to all Breakfast and After Hours Events at a discount.

Here are the fun and important details:

(4) Regular Breakfast Network meetings – These meetings average about 200 people in attendance and features a program of organized networking (each participant meets at least 18 people) and a very interesting speaker. This meeting is always finished by 9AM so you can schedule a 9:30 am sales appointment.

(1) Power Networking Breakfast event – This event always has over 200 people. Each person networks at 5 tables of 10 people, 15 minutes at each table. At all breakfast network events a 90 second introduction is utilized and a computer program ensures smooth transitions from table to table.

(3) Business After Hours events – Averaging 500 – 600 people per event, Business After Hours features networking and lots of great food in a high quality trade show atmosphere. Chamber members can purchase booth space to showcase their products and services for several hours. The event concludes with a balloon drop in which you will find cash in select balloons. Networking, food and they pay you if you find the right balloons. A don’t miss event!

(1) Restaurant After Hours event – With well over 600 in attendance yearly, this event features local restaurants in a showcase type setting. All attendees go from booth to booth sampling the wide variety of foods that the restaurants want to show off. This is an all you can eat for one price event so come hungry. No one leaves with an empty stomach. This event has been held in the local aquarium for several years allowing the attendees to visit the exhibits and walk through the shark tank in an attempt to burn off those newly consumed calories.

(12) Business Owners’ Forums - Every month business owners gather in a formal setting to discus topics that are of interest to business owners. A formal part of the meeting agenda is 30 minutes of networking, owner to owner.

Access to a host of open and closed networking groups – Within the metro area are at least 40 open and closed networking groups that meet weekly, bi-weekly, and/or monthly. You will find a networking opportunity of some sort on every day that ends in “y”.

As you can guess, ensuring that each event runs smooth involves quite a lot of manpower. Besides an incredible chamber staff, Karen Humphrey, Member Services and Resource Campaign Manager, has an army of volunteers called The Hospitality Club. These 50 individuals are involved in the many tasks required to have consistently successful events. Karen stated that she “feels blessed to have such a dedicated group of professionals who generously volunteer their time and energy.” These volunteers are many times involved in set-up and break down of tables and chairs, professionally facilitate the table commercials at the networking events, greet people at the door, ensure that vendors have what they need at trade show style events, and do whatever else needs to be done to ensure the success of the event.

By participating in the networking circuit you are not only full prepared to make the most of December’s Holiday Networking Season, but also prospecting to your fullest potential, ensuring a great year of satisfying business. If you would like more information about networking as sponsored by The Tulsa Metro Chamber feel free to go to www.tulsachamber.com and contact Warren Unsicker, Small Business Program Manager; Dennis Currington, Director, Small & Minority Business Development; Karen Humphrey, Member Services and Resource Campaign Manager; or Elaine Walsh, Manager, Member Events, at The Tulsa Metro Chamber.

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Year Round Networking at Tulsa Metro Chamber

Tulsa Author Teaches Power Through Networking, by David Jones

PROLIFIC NETWORKER: Tulsan Peter Biadasz has authored or co-authored dozens of books on networking. He currently works as the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s “networking expert.”

ALICIA SHRUM for GTR Newspapers

As Peter Biadasz sees it there are a lot of powerful people out there, only some of them don’t know it.

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Tulsa Author Teaches Power Through Networking, by David Jones