Houston Networking

In Houston networking we don't have to look far to find the right professionals who are willing to guide us to new opportunities, help us get our foot in the door or get a handle on who's who in Houston business. There's a short info-packed seminar that's designed to give Houston business professionals the 411 on how to get the inside scoop on the latest deals, better market intelligence and sound sales advice on your market.

Taking time to attend "Build Your Network" is an ideal way to fast track your company's growth. It's a small group session that's limited to 20 people. Everyone will leave with sound and actionable steps on connecting with the shakers and movers in Houston. It's filled with potent topics, tips and tricks about the art of the deal in Houston.

Business Networking

There's a hotbed of activity in this market for companies that offer product and services for the chemical industry, the energy sector and hospitals. To put you on point, you'll be briefed about some of the city's best business networking opportunities. Houston Business Journal developed this seminar so local businessmen can get expert help to steer them up the results chart as well as learn about "Houston's leading deal makers and their companies".

Networking Skills

You can count on your networking skills improving after the HBJ seminar, with winning techniques for using archives to learn about your prospects, clients and competitors. Your ability to gather and analyze market intel will improve and increase when you learn about some of the new sources for data that are revealed during the hour long session.

We all could use new business connections, more sources for leads and smarter ways to mine our markets that will translate into better opportunities for our businesses.

Managing Sales Cycles

To help your sales explode there's valuable information about sales strategies that can guide you to better performance. You'll get revelations on weekly sales strategies that are extremely useful in setting realistic sales objectives and goals.

You'll have more insight, with steps that can improve your bottom-line. It'll be easier to sell methodically and curb the amount of time you spend "chasing rainbows", the big deals that slow your profits down because you're stuck in their long drawn out sales cycles, that's gobbling up a lot of your valuable time.

The vital knowledge you'll gain will contribute to your success in Houston networking. Today's economic conditions call for agressive ideas to build a successful business and Houston Business Journals "Build Your Network Seminar" will give you the edge on your competition in any industry. Most of all at the end of the evening, your business skills and abilities will have been bumped up a notch and you'll be in a better position to grow your business.

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Houston Networking

Houston networking is rich with A-list business contacts and savvy professionals who know the importance of networking with other colleagues. If you haven't made time on your busy schedule for networking. Let me toss you a few tips about attending and participating in some of the dozens of events sponsored by networking groups and organizations in Houston.

A Houston Networking Success Story

George Kleeman a former race director of the Houston Marathon details this Houston networking success story on their website. He was frustrated with coming up empty handed after going through many of the local sponsors and banks, trying to raise money for the race. One day after his daily run with a couple of friends and a new guy, who tagged along that day, he was discussing this problem. The new guy told George, "I think I might be able to help." Turns out the new guy was the Treasurer of Tenneco Oil, and with his help the marathon secured Tenneco as the title sponsor.

Networking events are designed to fit around the schedules of busy professionals. They can consist of any kind of event. An evening mixer, a club meeting in the mornings, or an afternoon luncheon. You can network on-line and off-line.

Just about every day of the week networking events are being held at local restaurants, clubs and meeting rooms in most Houston neighborhoods.

Networking Tips For Busy Professionals

Here are a few tips Eric Standlee recommends to networkers that frequent the events sponsored by the fantastic ning community InHouston.

1. Practice the "Golden Trifecta" - be appreciative, courteous, and respectful.
2. Extend a warm welcome to new members - a helpful and welcoming community benefits everyone.
3. Don't hesitate to ask for help or perspective - we're here to learn together.


Houston networking events are the ideal places to greet and meet with businesses and other professionals in Houston from your industry. It's cool to sharpen your elevator pitch and networking skills, but check your sales pitch at the door.

People who attend networking events are just like you and I. They want to let their hair down and socialize with other professionals and don't expect to have to fight off pit-bull style sales pitches all night.

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Business Networking Events-October 2009

Here are some of the key business networking events in Houston that will help boost your business, career or the contacts in any industry. Many of them take place in various parts of the city and the groups that I've selected have professionals from just about every business sector.

A couple of Houston networking groups that you can count on for putting together top notch events are INHouston, HCCC and Houston Networking News. To get a feel for what kind of networking opportunities exist for business professionals who are members of these Houston's networking groups. I listed some of the October 2009 events and provided links to the groups webspace where you can find more details on how to join the organizations, meet and greet other professionals at these 5 star business events .

InHouston

R&R Networks: Business Professionals Mixer
October 21, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm – Isis Houston
Join R&R Networks as we host another event. This time at Isis Houston on Prairie @ Main.Spend time mingling with other business professionals from across Houston. .
Focus: business, mixer

October 22, Thursday
ENERGY PEOPLE CONNECT'S High Energy Halloween Mix [Oil & Energy]
October 22, 2009 from 5pm to 8pm – Mercer Lounge
Cost: FREE. Costume contest scheduled at 7:30pm that evening.
Focus: oil, &, energy, professional, mixer

Houston Networking News

A group that facilitates bringing the business community and networking professionals together to connect with one another and develop new and sustaining relationships.

The Main Event
Belvedere
1131-01 Uptown Park Blvd.
Houston, 77056
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Cost: FREE

North Houston Regional Luncheon
Amerigo’s Grille, 25250 Grogan's Park Dr.
The Woodlands, 77380
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: HNN Members: $24, non members: $29

Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce
Their primary role has been development of programs which educate, equip and empower African American and other small business owners to prosper and sustain viable enterprises.

Pinnacle Award Nomination Reception
October 1, 2009

The 15th Annual African American Achievement Pinnacle Awards
Date: October 16, 2009
Time: 06:00 PM - 09:30 PM
http://www.hcccpinnacleawards.org

These business networking events in Houston are places where you can engage in discussions, take practical steps and implement strategies to build a viable business.

Take advantage of the services offered by INHouston, HCCC and Houston Networking News. Don't hesitate to join one or more networking groups and watch your career, profits or business soar.

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Entrepreneur Camp Houston

Entrepreneur Camp is an informal Houston networking event. You will not need a tent, there will be no fires and please leave your sleeping bags at home. This year's Entrepreneur Camp offer participants a wide range of benefits but most of all it is an ideal place for connecting and building relationships. Here are a few tips on how to maximize the benefits from participating in this cool new, innovative way to learn and share ideas.

Every professional in Houston regardless whether he or she plans on starting a business soon, needs to attend at least one of the Entrepreneur Camps to network. Be prepared so when it's your turn to speak you can make sure that what you have to say is on topic and adds value to the discussion.

Here is the best way to do that. Listen for new ideas and new ways of thinking. Write down your gut feelings about them in your tablet or laptop, you can use the recorder to capture the entire event. Use your notes to anchor your comment.

Some Camps feature roundtable sessions and where a selected group is allowed to take turns making brief informal business pitches that's fast paced, like a game of hot potato.

If you want to take part in this session it's smart to practice your elevator speech in advance, in case you need to tweak it for an entrepreneurial audience. You do have one? A 15 to 20 second blurb that tells:

Who you are.
What you do.
Numerically expresses the special value your product or service provides to your customers.

i.e. "Hello my name is James Brown, I'm an affiliate marketing coach that helps small businesses increase their affiliate sales and profits by 25 to 100% in 60 to 90 days. In the past 5 years I've helped businesses attract over 300,000 new customers using my magnetic affiliate marketing principles."

Entrepreneur Camp provides a new model for networking that's spreading like a California wildfire. Houston has already held several Bar camps, a techie version of the event that focuses on web applications, open source technologies and social protocols.

A few months ago the Houston Technology Center hosted the 2nd Annual Freelance Camp. This summit discussed how freelancers, small business owners and service companies can collaborate and harness the energy, principles and dynamics that are needed to run a successful freelance business.

This new concept is great for stimulating innovate ideas and thought provoking conversations, which is the primary goal at any Houston networking event.

If you strive to have great conversations with other business professionals, about shared interests and interesting topics, you stand a better chance that the other person will enjoy networking with you again.

The most important step in Houston networking is to connect with the people you met after Entrepreneur Camp. That can only happen if after you get their business cards and contact information.

It's important to follow up and cultivate those relationships. If you're trying to open the window of opportunity, to discuss topics more substantial like how can we help each others business move to the next level.

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Houston Networking

One incredible Houston Networking opportunity this month will give everyone dreaming of breaking free from a dreaded 9 to 5 a quick inspirational boost. The new kid moves into the networking block this month, when the 1st Entrepreneur Camp sets up on August 7th at the Houston Technology Center.
The corporate types won't be out done, there is a big real estate conference and a power luncheon where they can sharpen their elevator pitch and hone the skills needed for social networking online.

Get Fired Up For Success At Houston's First Entrepreneur Camp

If you haven't seen their tweets, are stumbled upon their blog, let me fill in the blanks on the Camp concept. It's best described as an unconference. The format doesn't trash Robert's Rules, what it does instead is liberates them. Instead of the usual talking head, I speak, you listen event; the conversation flows around the room like it would at a camp fire.

It's high time local bootstrappers, home-based businesses and serial entrepreneurs had a chance to get together and create synergy and collaborate on success.

Houston Commercial Real Estate Conference

The Institute for Inner City Commercial Real Estate Development will host a Commercial Real Estate Conference, "Debunking the Myth 2009" at the University of Houston this week.

This conference is all about bringing quality commercial real estate development to the inner city. A panel of experts will cover how to spot commercial real estate trends and opportunities in the inner-city. Developers, retailers, investors, researchers and real estate professionals from across the country will be in Houston for to this informative day-long event.

Power Luncheon For Networkers

Another a great networking event for local business professionals is sponsored by InHouston. This dynamic business networking event will help you learn how to benefit from Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Myspace and other social media/networking sites.

Just when you thought that networking on Social media sites was just another fad, it broke free from the pack and is now a breeding ground for prosperous and profitable conversations. It reminds me of what happened with Rap music. It started with just a hand full of loyal followers before slowly melting into the fabric of American culture.

Make sure all of your friends get caught up on the August Houston Networking details by tweeting this, posting it on your Facebook page or just e-mail it to them.

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Houston Networking

In Houston networking usually have hip themes, an evening mixer, morning coffee club, or afternoon luncheon. Most of them occur monthly at restaurants, clubs and meeting rooms around the bayou city. There are several types of networking events where you can greet and meet with others in your industry, other businesses or other professionals in Houston.

Houston Technology Center host one of the most popular networking events in the city in Midtown Houston, The Open Coffee Club. Their monthly meetup encourages informal discussions and networking among entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, and investors.

Resident of Kingwood, Humble, or Atascocita area have a similar morning hook-up that's great a networking meeting for getting results, at the Homewood Suites in Kingwood. This free networking meeting takes place every Tuesday Morning.

Business Networking Mixers

Not and early bird? There are still a few good places to network in Houston that I highly recommend. Houston's Networking News (HNN) monthly mixer is one of them. Their free events are for HNN members to network with each other. They developed and conduct a series of business networking functions, in addition to supporting those of other organizations.

HNN also supports the networking activities of more than 350 organizations and their event calendar contains 600-plus networking activities each month from many different organizations all over Houston. They serve the Houston business community and work to build lasting relationships with other business organizations.

Houston Networking That Pays

Every month on the third Tuesday, Houston Business Journal host a Houston networking seminar, where you can learn how to identify industry trends, reach decision-makers and grow your business through their newspaper. At this free seminar, you'll learn about other networking events in Houston and how to use your subscription to the Houston business publication to attract more money to your business.
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		Houston Networking To energize your career and attract more business view the top business and professional networking events in Houston.			Houston Attractions Get discounts tickets for your family or group on the exhibits and events at many of the fun places to visit in Houston.
		Midtown Houston Apts Find deals on move in specials, rebates and pricing on renting apts and lofts in Midtown and other great places in Houston.			Festivals In Houston Here is a list of the many family friendly, exciting nieghborhood and city-wide festivals that you should know about.
		Museums in Houston Located near Midtown Houston in the Museum District, there is plenty of things to see and do at any of the great museums in town.			Houston African American There are lots of events in Houston where you can experience its rich African American cultural heritage here's a look at a few of them.

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Houston Networking

I have a few more sources to add to the Houston networking agenda. These are some other key groups where business professional come to mix and mingle for success. I wanted to give Midtown Live readers a chance to find out about other Houston networking opportunities that might become the key to helping you to achieve more in life.

Some of the best networking groups in the city host monthly events where you can learn from some of the countries top motivational and professional speakers on relevant topics. The ideal networking events should offer a deeper value than just sales prospecting. It should provide ample time and a format to connect with other Houston business professionals.

Networking Groups In Houston

One of Houston premier business networking clubs is InHouston. Their website has a variety of local opportunities to meet with other professionals working in your industry and a list of monthly meeting going down in your neck of the woods.

Many young professionals enjoy more of a laid-back party atmosphere and NetParty provides just that. It's a combination mixer networking event that are held in Houston's hippest nightspots and "combine business networking with social fun."

SW Houston Chamber of Commerce

This 60-year old Houston networking group has committees that actively engage in areas of education, economic development, business resources, government affairs, special activities, and a wide variety of other interests.

The SW Chamber’s Leadership program is in its 15th year of providing area professionals with an overview of what is happening in the fields of criminal justice, education, quality of life, the arts, civic engagement, state and local government, health and human services, and media.

Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce

Many African American businesses participate in the Third Tuesday's business connections of the Houston Citizens Chambers. Their power-packed business-networking events are geared toward providing a platform for small businesses networking and a chance to gain exposure. It's the perfect Houston event for customer prospecting, and the opportunity to present your products and services to small business owners in your target market.

The Business Connection is held on the third Tuesday of each month, at the Power Center, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Exhibitor booths are available.

How To Get The Most Out Of Networking

Never network only superficially. To avoid making this mistake make sure when you attend conferences and any networking group, that you don't just go around willy nilly collecting business cards without getting to know the person you are talking to first.

Make taking part in personal and group conversations, the primary goal at any Houston networking function. If you strive to have great conversations with other business professionals based on shared interests and interesting topics you stand a better chance that the other person will enjoy getting together again.
Then you can move the topic to something more substantial like how can we help each others business move to the next level.

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The Best Networking Events In Houston

(Photo from recent inHouston event.)


If you are new to the Houston area or a experienced social networker, I've got the word on the best networking events in Houston.
I've checked-out some off-line activities where you can participate in locally held relationship marketing events that you'll want to add to your short list of things to do.

Meeting people off-line can help you make the most of the LinkedIn contacts you've developed and could be just the hook-up you need to jump-start a flat-lining career. Their online community is touted as the one platform everyone serious about networking should join and learn how to use.

One of the most popular networking events in Houston is sponsored by the crew over at inHouston. Many of them actively participate in LinkedIn. The inHouston's monthly professional business networking get togethers are held throughout the city. They're a great group to connect with online or off-line for anyone interested in being successful in relationship marketing.

Several other events where like-minded business people gather to share their experiences are hosted by the Houston Technology Center, 410 Pierce street, in Midtown Houston. I recommend the start-up Houston happy hour and sunrise Toastmaster meetings.

My hands down favorite is the UH Small Business Development Center, where you can pick-up the 411 on internet marketing from our local guru Dick Meyers. His post "One Social Network I Couldn't Work Without" pointed out LinkedIn is the one social network everyone should use.

Combining these awesome local networking events with your online social networking should get your name on the invite list of the best networking events in Houston, where you'll meet some of the finest folks on the planet.

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