In a survey of 1,400 head honchos of companies with more than 20 employees, Accountemps asked how important networking was to them in building their businesses or furthering their careers.
The majority — 80 percent — said networking with others in their field was instrumental in their professional success.
Patricia McKay says that when it comes to networking events and business workshops, the Akron area’s growth organizations and other professional associations have much to offer local entrepreneurs. But, as owner of McKay Insurance Agency Inc. in Akron, McKay says it’s wise to graze greener pastures.
“Even though I live in this community, I keep going to different places to learn about new ideas and ways of doing business,” she says.
That’s why McKay spent a recent Saturday at The University Club in Cleveland, where SCORE presented “WomanSpirit ’99,” its third annual conference for women entrepreneurs.
Five speakers — among them international author and lecturer Marianne Williamson — shared their expertise in marketing, computers, the Internet, employer/employee issues, business banking, Small Business Administration financing and time management.
“SBA information is of particular interest to me. It’s changing so much that you need to know what’s going on with it all the time,” says McKay. “As a business owner, you need to be prepared, and this is an easy way to get a lot of information I can use in my business.”
It’s also a great way to form new business alliances, says Karen Verner. As owner of Hudson-based Medical Bills Resolved Inc., specializing in claims facilitating, Verner wanted to learn how to better market herself through a Web presence. She just happened to share a table with Christy Dillon, marketing specialist for The Anderson Group, an Akron business technology solutions provider.
Verner told Dillon that the majority of her client base formerly comprised senior citizens.
“Now, we’re seeing more families who have to choose from managed care plans offered as options by their employers, and I’m finding that most consumers don’t have a clue as to how to decide what insurance company to choose, based on their specific circumstances,” she said.
Dillon assured Verner that, considering America’s reliance on the Internet for information, a Web presence would be a potent way for Vernor to educate current and prospective clients.
“When you’re in business for yourself, coming to events like this helps you refocus on what you’re doing and why you’re doing it,” Verner says. “Talking to other professionals gives me the strength to confront my fears. Talking with Christy convinced me that a Web site can be a reality for me.”
Dillon, who attended the conference on behalf of her employer, Barb Anderson, was pleased that some of the marketing techniques suggested by the speakers, such as client surveys, were practices she already has in place.
“Biannually, I conduct a client survey, asking what’s good and what’s not,” she says. “That’s vital in client retention, because it costs six times as much to get a new client as it does to retain one you already have.”
Dillon also came away enlightened about certain employer/employee issues from a legal perspective — for example, questions to avoid asking job interviewees (such as marital and parental status).
Although Dillon isn’t a business owner, her employer might have been proud to hear her say, “Anything I can learn about how to make a business run better, I can take it and apply it to the company I work for.”
How to reach: McKay Insurance, 867-7755; The Anderson Group, 945-6408; Medical Bills Resolved, 656-1340
