Business Success Center

Proven programs that grow great businesses for great people who care.

BSC_Logo Bold

  • For Your Success
    • BSC’s 3 Great Business™ Growth Programs
    • PMAT™ Profit Improver™ Programs
    • Why Our Way Works
  • Blogs
    • Business Improvement
    • Business Tools
    • Growth Readiness
    • Networking
    • Small Business Advocacy
  • Your Award-Winning Team
    • Meet the BSC Expert Staff
    • BSC Core Values
    • Client Focus
    • Successes
  • Contact Us/Meeting Request
  • Call us at: 512-933-1983

Networking is about Saying “No”

May 27, 2015 By Jan Triplett

(Excerpt from The Networker’s Guide to Success by Jan Triplett)

Sometimes, you just need to say "NO"!

Sometimes, you just need to say “NO”!

Not all groups are right for you to join and give your valuable time and effort. Not all people are key to your networking success. It’s not about the numbers. It’s about knowing when to say “Yes” and more importantly, when to say “No”.

There have been times when I just said no. That’s hard for those of us who use networking to do, but it’s vital.

At some point your time, money, and energy run out. Before it gets to be a crisis, back off for a while. Reconsider how you are networking. Remember, you are responsible for helping your current networks as well as helping yourself. In networking, you have to be constantly on the lookout for new additions and people to add to your current networks, or even new networks to join. In addition, other people will invite you to join their network. You are going to have to say “no” or “not right now” to some of them. It’s okay.

In Austin, there are between ten and twenty new networks, Meetup groups, and new formal and informal associations that are formed each month. An equal number fold or change. There may be even more opportunities where you live. You have to decide what’s right for you and what’s not.

Take a minute to consider how much time, effort and money you’re willing to invest and at what rate of return. Make sure you also consider what you can invest. Say “yes” to the people, organizations, meetings, lunches, etc. with the highest value to meet your goals; say “no” to the rest. You can always change your mind if your situation or theirs changes.

For ways to look at organizations before you take the plunge, read my post about what’s wrong with many networking meetings. You also might want to check out  Jerry Ussem’s post that discusses various experts opinions on why it pays to be a jerk sometimes. He quotes research from the University of Amsterdam that found that semi-obnoxious behavior not only can make a person seem more powerful, but can make them more powerful. Your goal should be to be ok with being perceived as obnoxious by some if you say “no”.

Network-guide-to-success-coverv42More ideas on networking success are in The Networker’s Guide to Success ebook available from the Business Success Center and online at Apple, Amazon and Nook.

 

Filed Under: Networking Tagged With: Improving Networking, Jerry Useem article on jerks, Networking, Saying "Not Now", Saying No

Mentoring Is All About Choice

May 5, 2014 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

Do you want to find a mentor? Do you want to be a mentor? As Pamela Ryckman says, the author of Stiletto Network: Inside the Women’s Power Circles That Are Changing the Face of Business.,  “Mentoring—or at minimum connecting with a variety of people in all industries and age groups—has never been more important.”

Having a successful experience as a mentor or as a mentee is dependent on the choices you make before and during the relationship.  You can be better prepared to use mentoring if you understand what each side is expecting and what choices have to be made. If you already use mentoring, consider how you made your choices.  There are ways to improve the experience for both of you. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Growth Readiness Tagged With: Mentee, Mentor, Mentoring, Networking

Pivotal Career Moment for an Intern

September 2, 2013 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

John Hamilton, Production Manager

John Hamilton, Production Manager

I attended a recent NBX Meetup.  The table topic question being asked was, “What was one pivotal moment in your life or career that got you to where you are today.”

I thought about my own pivotal moment, a forwarded email that I received from a St. Edwards University advisor in late April of this year. A small business strategy firm was looking for an intern. After a few interviews, I got the internship at the Business Success Center. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Growth Readiness Tagged With: Business Success Center, First Looks Forum, Internship, NBX Meetup, Networking, St. Edwards University

Owner’s Rule #1: 40,000 Foot Level Point of View

June 28, 2013 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

Can you take the 40K Owner's point of view with your business? Photo credit: NASA.gov

Can you take the 40K Owner’s point of view with your business? Photo credit: NASA.gov

The Owner’s Point of  View

The “40,000 Foot Owners View” symbolizes the number one rule for owners who want to be successful: stay at the 40,000 foot level for planning and making decisions instead of getting bogged down in the day-to-day weeds of running and managing the business. This is especially important when using networking to grow a business. It’s a critical skill owners must have in order to survive the challenges and take advantage of opportunities. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Growth Readiness Tagged With: 40K foot view, Decision-Making Planning, Networking, Owners Viewpoint, Ramping Up a Business, Scaling a Business

3 Ways Business Grants Have Changed for Good & 3 Ways to Prepare

June 19, 2012 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

MSB_Poster_Option-1_043012.pdf-1-pageLook out world, here it comes. You read it here first. After a “gazillion” years of how business grants work, the world  has changed. Maybe for good!

Who did it? Chase Bank and LivingSocial. (In full disclosure we are going after this grant. We want to use the money  to take our Owners MBA™ for existing business online, add ebooks, apps, and include special segments for veterans, rural business owners, and owners who are disabled. We also want to create an owners community as we did for our Entrepreneurs’ Association in the 1990’s.)

Why did they do it? It depends on whom you ask.

What’s different? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Growth Readiness, Small Business Advocacy Tagged With: Austin Business Journal, Business Grants, Business Success Center, Capital Factory, Chase Bank, eligibility, Entrepreneurs' Association, Grants for for profit companies, Jason Meeker, Jaxzen Marketing, LivingSocial, Mission Small Business, Networking, Online Coupons, Online Marketing, SBIR, social media, The Stage Alliances

What’s wrong with networking meetings?

June 9, 2012 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

Get your meeting in better order for everyone. Photo by mrbill from flickr.com.

Get your meeting in better order for everyone. Photo by mrbill from flickr.com.

What’s wrong with networking meetings? It’s the same thing that’s wrong with most business meetings. Organizers and hosts take things for granted.

These meetings leave the impression that…

  1. Everyone who should know everyone already does.
  2. It’s obvious how our meeting works and if you don’t get it, too bad.
  3. People with different tastes just shouldn’t eat with us.
  4. If you can’t find us, not our problem.
  5. We’re glad you came, but we don’t really care if you had a good time or come back.

The prevalence of these really makes me hate to go to meetings. The worst offenders are the ones that call themselves “networking” meetings. I wrote A Networker’s Guide to Success. I know what networking can and should be. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Networking Tagged With: Business Success Center, Greeters, Improving Meetings, Infrastructure, Meeting Checklist, Meeting Host, Meeting Organizers, Meeting Pet Peeves, Networker's Guide to Success, Networking, Problems with Meetings, Speakers

3 Networking Skills Every Introvert Has

August 31, 2011 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

Rodin's "The Thinker" could have been named "The Introvert". Photo by James Whitesmith.

Rodin’s “The Thinker” could have been named “The Introvert”. Photo by James Whitesmith.

Networking skills are not the exclusive property of extroverts. Introverts have them, too.

Not the belle or beau of the ball? Don’t do well in groups? Are you kind of shy or just hate playing the networking game? You can still be a great networker. The best part is, you don’t have to and shouldn’t change you.

Networking Rules

You do have to play by the rules. Networking is a balancing act; give and take. It’s not just about sales or prospecting. Although these can happen.  You can also use it for finding friends, jobs, fun places to go or avoid, and a million other things. Think about it as a combination of a “net” which gathers things in and keeps things out and a lot of hard “work”. Believe me, it doesn’t come easy to extroverts either although it may seem that way. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Networking Tagged With: Analyzer, Austin, Changingminds.org, deep thinker, Extravert, give and take, information gather, Introvert, Intuitiveness, lurker, Networker, Networking, online communities, Personal Networking, posts, Prospecting, Sales, social media, SXSW, Texas, Twitter

Why Independent Businesses Must Do More Than Donate

October 25, 2010 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

RG4N worked to keep Austin Neighborhood & Small Independent Business friendly.

RG4N worked to keep Austin Neighborhood & Small Independent Business friendly.

Next month, it will be four years since I became the Business Liaison Chair for Responsible Growth for Northcross (RG4N).

I chose to get involved because I am a business owner, a small business activist and I live and work in the area.

Last night was the VIP opening of the more neighborhood-sized WalMart on Anderson Lane in Austin, Texas. The RG4N board was invited and several of us went including the original President, Paige Hill.

Our efforts to stop the supercenter were not about size as much as about the impact of that size. That impact includes traffic, litter, security, safety issues for those with disabilities, crime, air and water quality. It was also about the impact on locally owned stores that do not fare well with a big box, especially a WalMart, nearby. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community Activism, Networking, Small Business Advocacy Tagged With: Activism, Alamo Drafthouse, Austin, Big Box, Business Neighborhood, community, Encore Music, Genuine Joe's, Impact, Independently-owned Business, Jason Meeker, Kids & Cats, Locally-owned Business, Neighborhood Associations, Networking, Paige Hill, Responsible Growth for Northcross, RG4N, Scandinavian Design, Scott Gray, small business activist, Small Business Owners, supercenter, Texas, Thunderbird Coffee, WalMart, Zingers

The Networker Magazine Remembered: Overtime Roach Article Reprised

August 3, 2010 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

Austin, Texas’ small business and entrepreneurial history is long and full. There were special support meetings called “Satellite Network Meetings” all over town and even in Round Rock long before there were Meetups and Bootstrap groups.

    Masthead banner from The Networker 1981, originally sponsored by the Commission on the Status of Women, City of Austin.

Masthead banner from The Networker 1981, originally sponsored by the Commission on the Status of Women, City of Austin.

And, there was The Networker, a small monthly publication especially for women. From June 1980 to its last issue in August 1987, I wrote, managed or was its editor. We covered politics, interesting women, events around town, the arts, business, sports, education, healthcare, and jobs. We covered issues from the ERA to “Should women fear computers?” And, yes, that was the title of an article. We covered women magicians like Judy Wilkes and Valerie Cordell, early aviators like Pearle Ragsdale, truck racer Shawna Robinson, women firefighters and women at war. Young and old, of all colors, creeds, and backgrounds were included in our news.  We even did some interesting articles about men including Cactus Pryor and cartoonist Ben Sargent. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Networking Tagged With: Austin, Austin Commission on the Status of Wmoen, Ben Sargent, Bootstgrap Austin, Cactus Pryor, Developing Entrepreneurs, Dorothy Hartshorne, Eleanor Richards, entrepreneur, Helen Handley, Jane Dinsmoor, Judy Brown, Lu Russell, Mary Margaret Navar, Mayor Ron Mullen, Meetups, Meg Wilson, Nadea Gizelbach, Network Satelllite Meetings, Networking, Networking Day Proclamation, Overtime, Pearle Ragsdale, Small Business History, Texas, The Networker Magazine, Women Magicians, Women's Conference, Women's Network Brunch

Meet BSC Satisfied Clients

  • Ana's Unlimited Foods

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/anas-unlimited.jpg

  • Brytan & Associates, Inc.

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/bryant-truitt-brytan-associates-cert-fraud-examiner.jpg

  • Dr. Angelique Millette, Child Sleep Expert

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/angelique-millette-new-phd-childrens-sleep-expert.png

  • Better Baseball Texas — Rope Bat™

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/image001.png

  • TeamFX Racing

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/teamfx-gary02.jpg

  • No Time for Social

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4389-1.jpg

  • Happy Vegan

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/happy-vegan-charlotte-bothma-2016.png

  • Howie Richey, Author

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/h-with-4-books.jpg

  • Trout Green Technologies, Inc.

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/trout-green-432x250-1.jpg

  • Tweed Scott, Author

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/tweed-scott-author.jpg

  • Patricia's Lunchbox

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/screen-shot-2015-09-28-at-95543-am.png

  • Andrew Eisenberg, Michael Best, IP Attorneys

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4526-1.jpg

  • Paula Pierce, PPierce Law

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/Paula-Pierce.jpg

  • Sri & Usha Boddapu, Esolvit

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/Esolvit-Economic-Engine-award-2017-from-GAACC-received-by-Sri-Rao-Boddapu-and-Usha-Boddapu.jpeg

  • Dawn Weathersby, Marketing Consultant

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4426-e1469830257759.jpg

  • 360 Signs

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/downtown-client-pics-003-432x250.jpg

  • Austin Pro Photo

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC5535-Edit.jpg

  • Cosmo City Media

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/image.png

  • Stage Alliance

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/stage-alliance.jpg

  • Deborah Main Designs

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/deborah-main-picture.jpg

  • Saffire Events

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/saffireevents432x250.jpg

  • Team NFP Software & Solutions

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/justq432x250.jpg

  • Journyx

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/journyx432x250.jpg

  • Mane Street Bakery

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/mane-street-bakery.jpg

  • Innox Digital

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/matiascarrasco432x250.jpg

  • Hayes SW Systems

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/hayesswsystemstrimmed.jpg

  • Business Tutor, LLC

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/karen3.jpg

  • INTUVI

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/intuvi435x250.jpg

  • Gilfus Racing Enterprises

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/gilfus-racing-enterprises.jpg

  • Art + Artisans

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/artartisans.jpg

  • GEO+

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/man02432x250.jpg

  • The Herb Bar

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/herblady432x250.jpg

  • Exploring New Media

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/lindsey-allen-vv.jpg

  • Busivid

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/busivid432x250.jpg

  • Gold Scaffold

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/gold-scaffold.jpg

  • Sumpter and Gonzalez, Attorneys

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/sumpter-and-gonzalez-attorneys-432x250.jpg

  • SOAP

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/soap-jp432x250.jpg

  • TTM Enterprises, Inc

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/BSC2005-Toni-Martin.jpg

  • Sledge Engineering

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/sledge-engineering432x250.jpg

  • Brite Ideas

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/brite-ideas-staff432x250.jpg

  • Gryphon Graphics

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/gryphon-graphics.jpg

  • PRE Management

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/pre-management.jpg

  • DrakeLight Photography

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/drakelight-photography.jpg

  • FalconDay Consulting

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/laurafaulkner432x2502.jpg

  • INSolve, Inc.

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/homeville.jpg

  • Mane Street Bakery

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/mane-street-bakery432x250.jpg

  • Natalie Howe Designs

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/natalie-howe-designs.jpg

  • 6th Street Smiles

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/austin-6th-st-smiles432x250-432x250.jpg

  • PC Doctors

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/pc-doctors.jpg

  • StageSpot

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/stagespot.jpg

  • Morningside Research

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/morningside-research.jpg

  • Paradise Bay

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/paradise-bay.jpg

  • Allscapes Lawncare

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/allscapes-lawncare.jpg

  • Mark Word Design

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/mark-word-design.jpg

  • OMS Global

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/oms-global.jpg

  • Leverage Communications

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/leverage-communications.jpg

  • J B Goodwin

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/jb-goodwin.jpg

  • Independent Brewing Company

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/independent-brewing-company.jpg

  • GlobalTrain

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/globaltrain.jpg

  • Forklift.com

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/com.jpg

  • FireFly LED Lighting

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/firefly-led-lighting.jpg

  • PC+

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/pc.jpg

  • Lara Executive Image

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/BSC2006-Julie-Lara.jpg

  • Trish's Delish

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/trishs-delish.jpg

  • Stone Technologies

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/stone-technologies.jpg

  • Stellar Systems

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/stellar-systems-inc.jpg

  • Savor the Success

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/savor-the-success.jpg

  • RSK International

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/rsk-international.jpg

  • Dr Suzi Du Toit

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/-suzi-du-toit.jpg

  • StockRoller, Inc

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/man03432x250.jpg

  • Innovative Healthcare Solutions

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/BSC2003-Shane-Burt-2.jpg

  • Webber - Studio

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/webber432x250.jpg

  • Wildly Natural

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/wildly-natural432x250.jpg

  • CSI-Texas, Inc

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/csi-texas-inc.jpg

  • CowBob Productions

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/cowbob-productions.jpg

  • CIS Inventory Solutions

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/cis-inventory-solutions.jpg

  • SamePageResults

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/charles-knickerbocker-and-associates.jpg

  • Caudillo Studios / Get the Picture

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/caudillo-studiosget-the-picture.jpg

  • Barebac

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/barebac.jpg

  • Austin Yoga Arts

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/austin-yoga-arts.jpg

  • Austin EnviroSolutions

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/austin-envirosolutions.jpg

  • Art of Jamie Rood

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/art-of-jamie-rood.jpg

  • TexFX

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/texfx.jpg

  • PRE Management

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/man01432x250.jpg

  • Ace on Hold

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/ace-on-hold.jpg

  • Go Local Austin

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/femalemale432x250.jpg

  • CIS Asset Solutions

    http://ownersview.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/BSC2006-Scott-McClain.jpg

Previous Image
Next Image

info heading

info content

Upcoming Events

EVENTS

BSC's Global Success Forum™ RSVP & Info
Direct Link or dial in: United States: +1 (312) 757-3121
Access Code: 685-053-101

(Forums are held on the 1st Thursday of the month, 11am Central with a focus session led by a mentor expert in that issue and lots of time for other attendees to talk about their business, comment, and share their expertise.)

• Nov. 3 BSC Success Forum, 11am Central. Mentor Bill Combes, owner of No Time for Social, shares his most favorite and least favorite business tech solutions BY NAME. We've been waiting for this!
• Dec. 1 BSC's Annual Blow Your Own Horn event, 11am Central. Great Attendee PR opportunity. Tell us about your business, your expertise, your successes!
• Jan. 5, 2023: BSC Quarterly Lean™ Success Forum, 11am Central:
You suggest and choose the business topics. Dave Nave, Dave Nave & Associates, and Jan Triplett, CEO, BSC lead the open discussion with ideas, feedback, and examples from all attendees and make connections.
Bring your topics or send them to Dave in advance to dave@davenave.com.
............
BSC Wisdom Webinar & Work Sessions Coming up

3rd Thursday monthly except November and December, 11-Noon Central.

This is always a mentoring and work session with input from attendees. RSVP to get the recording and transcript even if you don't attend.

Webinar and Work session leader: Jan Triplett, Ph.D., CBTAC, and CEO of BSC, author, entrepreneur, advocate, speaker, and inventor.

The purpose of each BSC Wisdom webinar and practical work session is to focus on shared experiences and expertise. Walk away with ideas and connections.

• Nov. 10, What to do after the close 11am Central. The close is not the end of the deal; it's the beginning. What can you do to ensure that everyone starts out and stays excited about your product or service? How can you get your next client before you start with this one? Just a few of the ideas we'll toss around.
RSVP

No December Wisdom Webinar. In January we begin our special great business operations series, Success Management Guide.

Be sure to check out our five blogs with posts to help you grow!
• Business Improvement
• Business Tools
• Growth Readiness
• Networking
• Small Business Advocacy

And our free resources and business owner success assessments.

 

ALERT!

SAM (Small and Mighty), OUR BSC LEGISLATIVE WATCHDOG, SUGGESTS:

VOTE! Early or on Nov. 8!

Copyright © 2023 Exploring New Media