View my PPT on SlideShare.

The S3skincare.com  site that I mentioned on slides 13 – 15 is composed of over 40 pages of healthcare copywriting expertise with descriptions for skincare products including Cleansers, Toners & Scrubs; Moisturizers; Younger Looking Skin; Exfoliators; Specialty Products; Men’s Products; and Sets of S3 Skincare Products.

One of my favorite pages of this site is for the Calm & Soothe Toner (Post Shave Solution) page. For “The Problem”, it reads: “Shaving your face can be described as scraping a knife over a sea urchin with a thin layer of soap. It’s not pretty, even if it’s been glamorized in TV commercials by handsome athletes surrounded by adoring fans. Shaving is an irritant, and some men have more sensitive skin than others.”

BNI is a business and professional networking organization that offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, referrals. BNI Embarcadero is now more than 50 members strong and growing. The meeting is held every Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 9:00AM at Schroeder’s in downtown San Francisco.

BNI Embarcadero is planning a Visitor’s Day for Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 7:15 to 9:00 AM.

See the Evite page here for details and to RSVP.

Left to right: Gianna, Jackson, Solana and Remy.

Gianna: Sandy Minella
Jackson: Rachel Walls
Solana: Isabella Schwarzinger
Remy: Sharon Schanzer

Only one vote per member, please. The winner will receive a chew toy for their pet and the title of “My Dog’s Cuter Than Yours.” Next month, the cutest cat!

[poll=6]

By Mark Silver, Business Tenderizer, Portland, OR
After the 10,000th time (it seemed), a client told me they referred someone who never contacted me. I began to call it “The Bermuda Referral Triangle.”

So… where were they? Why didn’t Frank, or Joan, or Amin, or Josephina ever call, despite glowing recommendations and urgings from their friends?

Why Bernard won’t call you.

There are three distinct reasons why they don’t.

1) Life is Pain.
2) Uncertainty.
3) Fear.

Read the full article here.

Putting official BNI policy to one side for a minute, I think it is unethical to allow part-time / second income members into your chapter.

1) It is almost impossible to do this honestly. I am dedicated to finding referral opportunities as part of my working week, that’s the way I do things. However, if I thought one of my employees was using ‘my company time’ to find referrals for another networking group and / or leads for their ‘other’ business I wouldn’t be very happy. They are employed to find referrals for this business – not their own. So if they carry on doing it they are being dishonest to me, if they stop doing it then they are not effectively finding referrals for the chapter and being dishonest to them. No win situation?Your employer is you primary responsibility. How can you pledge an oath about the BNI’s code of ethics to your chapter if you have already pledged the same oath to your employer?

2) I would rather give my support to somebody dedicated to making that business work rather than just earning extra pocket money. We have a MLM member and we decided to keep it to just one in the chapter – she is passionate and dedicated to her Aloe Vera products and like all the other members she lives, breathes and sleeps her business. If I thought for one minute she had a comfort blanket of a full time job she’d lose my support in a flash. There is a special bond between all entrepreneurs and business owners – we put our balls on the line for what we believe in, dream of and want to achieve. Can you look that part-time member in the eye and know they are made of the same stuff?

Got a rather week analogy, but going to say it anyway. It’s all or nothing for me. If you ask to borrow $200 from the bank to buy enough water to survive a forthcoming trip across the Sahara Dessert there is no point the bank turning around on the morning of the expedition and saying we’ll only give you $100, because you’ll die. Likewise there is no point going into BNI half-cocked – because it won’t be a success for you or the chapter. Simple really.

Oh and BNI is not a stepping stone . . . you don’t dip your feet in to see if it will help you get enough business to ‘go it alone’ later. That is about as much use to the chapter as a blind lifeguard!

Enjoy! Happy 2008!

Rachel Walls

Here’s a sneak peak:

Executive summary

Master networkers are individuals who realise that networking is a life skill, not just something you do when you want something. Their networking includes connecting with different cultures, ages, special interests groups and networks. They are constantly making strong connections, following up, keeping in touch, identifying and making contact with spheres of influence, and forming win–win strategic alliances and mastermind groups.

Master networkers have much to teach leaders at any level about building influence. In fact, if you are not a master networker, it is highly unlikely that you will be an effective leader or have any substantial influence in your networks, communities or workplace.

However, influence gained through forming strong networks, and by becoming a sphere of influence, can be a two-edged sword. Master networkers understand that their ongoing success depends on treating their networks and the people within them with respect and integrity. This is one of the reasons why building networks takes time, effort and, most of all, sincerity.

The networking world is open to everyone, without exception, as long as your networking values are strong, ethical and transparent.