Letter from the Editor

Fall is definitely upon us. Change is in the air. What does this mean to you? Perhaps you need to revamp your style or re-energize your marketing campaign? The always engaging Business Alliance educational series brings you great fall makeover programs to boost your business savvy. Don’t make the mistake of cutting back those ad dollars right now. We have a media relations expert from French/West/Vaughan to make the case for effective and vital marketing in the current economy. And while assessing yourself could be unnerving, don’t you really need to know how others perceive you? Strengthen your sales and relationships by attending our class on Personal Effectiveness. And if that’s not enough, we have invited Secretary of State Elaine Marshall to cap off the year with her insights and observations.

The newly combined Downtown Clubs offer more opportunities than ever to network, socialize, become educated and wined and dined. I’m excited about the Fall and upcoming year. Remember, all organizations run on relationships. Make sure you are utilizing your membership to the fullest and I’ll see you at the Club. Beth LaSasso Editor, Business Alliance Quote to consider: “Say it in 30 seconds or don’t say it at all” - Scott Gerber in Entrepreneur.com

Beth LaSasso
Editor, Business Alliance

October Issue 2009

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Happenings

Business Alliance After Hours (2nd Wednesdays)

Join fellow Business Alliance members monthly on the 2nd Wednesday for after-work relaxation and networking in Caps Grille.

 

 

Business Alliance Open Table (3rd Thursdays)

Join other Business Alliance Partners and Associates on the 3rd Thursday for a casual lunch and free-ranging conversations in the Main Dining Room at the Capital City Club.

 

Leader Luncheon: Strengthening Your Brand During a Weak Economy

If you believe customers bring you profits, and you believe marketing brings customers, then cutting back or eliminating smart marketing is completely foolish according to Jack Glasure, EVP and Principle at French/West/Vaughan, the Southeast’s largest independent public relations agency.

From Jack’s view, it’s all about the brand - on maintaining your market share and your mindshare - especially during times of a weak economy. This lunch will be an excellent opportunity to hear from an industry-respected expert on what it takes to keep your marketing vital, alive, and effective in these current times. Jack will be bringing a wealth of experience and energy to this session as he speaks on

• The benefits of brand marketing through a recession
• The importance of messaging
• The value of customer satisfaction and retention
• Just what the deal is with the Boomer market
• The value of earned media (PR) … because you never know who’s watching or listening!

Jack Glasure, EVP/Principle at French/West/Vaughan since 1997, is currently based in the FWV Tampa Florida Office. As a media relations expert, Jack’s earned favorable editorial coverage for agency clients with The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Today Show, People Magazine, Smart Money, Conde Naste Traveler, GQ, Fox & Friends, Good Morning America, Yahoo, Sports Illustrated, HBO Real Sports, and scores of vertical trade publications, daily newspapers, television news broadcasts and radio programs. Jack has a B.A. degree in business administration and international marketing, and an M.B.A. He’s currently on the advisory board for The College of Management at North Carolina State University and also at The School of Communication Arts, where he is an adjunct professor. In his spare time, Jack has published two books on college and pro football, executive produced three National Lampoon comedies, and supported numerous causes as a board or committee member, most notably the Triangle Heart Ball for the American Heart Association.

Navigation Class: Assessing and Optimizing Your Personal Effectiveness

Bob Moore, CEO of Effectiveness, Inc., will facilitate a personal effectiveness workshop with an individual Style Awareness Assessment for each attendee to enhance your operating style and strengthen relationships with customers, prospects and other business and professional stakeholders.

 

 

Leader Luncheon: Featuring NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall

The Business Alliance will close our 2009 program year by hearing from our Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall.

 

 

Navigation Class: Putting SWOT in Your Business

SWOT - strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats - our businesses all have them. But how do we recognize them? What do we do about them once we’ve identified them? Learn about how to create a valuable SWOT report and then take time to create a SWOT plan for your business - all right in class!

BA Member Announcements

(Please send submissions to bag_editor@yahoo.com)

Congratulations to Stephen C. Peters, President and CEO of VisionQuest Wealth Management for his nomination into Strathmore's Who's Who. Each year, Strathmore’s Who's Who recognizes and selects key executives, professionals and organizations in all disciplines and industries for outstanding business and professional achievements. Stephen was also nominated into the Cambridge Whos Who for the 3rd straight year.

Greg Brissette, Vice President/Investments for Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, will host an upcoming seminar, “Building Your Personal Recovery Strategy,” on Tuesday, October 13, 6:30pm at Michael Dean’s. Learn how you can start putting together or rebuilding your investment strategy. The guest speaker is Joy Orlando of The Hartford. Dinner will be served and seating is limited. Please contact Jennifer Sales at 919-791-3821 or jsales@jmsonline.com to RSVP.

Greg is also happy to announce that he will have his own website up and running at www.jmsonlinefc.com/g.brissette. There you will find links to economic news, market commentary, key interest rates, and educational and timely investment articles. You can also learn more about his professional commitment, philosophy, and community involvement. Existing clients will be able to view their account online as well as access services and reports.

Molly Bitner, President of Management Applications, has joined Synergic Alliance, a leading provider of business improvement services, and is pleased to announce its official launch. The goal is to help customers improve business by providing a full compliment of solutions and services from under one roof. Services and solutions available through Synergic Alliance include: Systems and Infrastructure, Corporate Finance and Tax Planning, Sales and Marketing, Business Solutions and Information Technology, Corporate Strategy & Compliance and Temporary Executive Services. The company has helped many local, regional and national companies with Cost Reducing Exercises, Sarbanes Oxley Compliance Audits, Full Microsoft Dynamics Business Solution Implementations (Solomon and Great Plains), Temporary Executive Staffing, Quick Books Accounting, General Accounting, Marketing Planning, Sales Training, Business Strategy and Corporate Guidance. For additional information go to www.synergicalliance.com.

Stephen C. Peters, President and CEO of VisionQuest Wealth Management, a Raleigh-based firm serving as a personal CFO to individuals and families, expands their footprint to Arizona by announcing a merger with Applied Strategies & Counsel, Inc (ASC), a wealth management firm based out of Scottsdale, Arizona. Chuck Hollander, President and CEO of Applied Strategies & Counsel said that “when choosing a firm to partner with there was no question that VisionQuest was our top choice. We have a trust in VisionQuest because of the ten plus year friendship and professional relationship with VisionQuest’s CEO, Steve Peters.” Steve Peters says “our mission is to ensure that our clients and ASC‘s clients achieve their lifetime and financial goals by making wise decisions around their wealth.” VisionQuest and ASC share the same core values and this merger will enable us with the flexibility to enhance even further our operating strategies and cultural practices.”

Daniel Trimpey, President and CEO of a local web design company, Page Progressive, would like to announce the launch of the new JFD Performace Solutions Website. The new website offers a wealth of valuable information in the blog on personal, corporate and group coaching.

New Members

Sharon Strother
Company: Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Web Address: www.fa.smithbarney.com/strother

Ray Pfeiffer
Company: Raymond Pfeiffer Photographer
Web Address: www.pfeifferphoto.com

Timothy McGee
Company: McGee Engineering, PLLC
Web Address: www.EngMcGee.com

Marc Cutler
Company: Advanced Healthcare Solutions
Web Address: www.advancedhealthcaresolutions.org

Sharon Cutler
Company: Advanced Thermal Imaging
Web Address: www.advancedhealthcaresolutions.org

Chuck Riesebeck
Company: AdvantaClean Regional of Central NC
Web Address: www.advantaclean.com

BA in the Community

(Please send submissions to bag_editor@yahoo.com)

Janice Cutler, owner of North Raleigh Florist, is pleased to announce that her business has been asked to be a drop point for food donations for the NC Food Bank through October 30th. Janice says, “They are in desperate need and I am trying to get the word out to as many people as possible. With the Food Bank supplies suffering, there has never been a better time than now to donate some food. If you are in the North Raleigh area, please bring non-perishable food donations to North Raleigh Florist at 7457 Six Forks Rd in the Celebration Shopping center through October 30th. Thank you for your kindness."

Chuck Riesebeck, of AdvantaClean Regional of Central NC, is elated to announce that a group he supports, Parent Project MD, www.parentprojectmd.org, won an online program sponsored by Facebook and Intel to recognize “Sponsors of Tomorrow”. Parent Project MD is focused on making a better tomorrow for the boys who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common lethal genetic disorder in children. Typically boys only survive into their late teens or early 20’s. All the support that they receive is directly used to improve the treatment and quality of life for these boys, and fund research for a cure. The program receives $50,000 in co-branded advertising with Intel as “Sponsors of Tomorrow” and helps raise awareness and an eventual cure even closer.

Janice Cutler, Owner of North Raleigh Florist, participated in "Strike For Survival" at Pleasant Valley Bowling lanes in Raleigh for the American Cancer Society. “It was a 2-weekend event where individuals and businesses took part in a fun evening with their families or friends and bowled, ate dinner, won prizes and had a great time, all while raising funds for the American Cancer Society. It was well worth the time and the $25 per person entry fee for this great cause and the fun time!” Some businesses also hit the big screen in the bowling lanes as sponsors too. (A great way to get your name out to a captive audience.) Anyone interested in this wonderful group of people who put together this event each year, contact Bob Little at Bob@strikeforsurvival.com.

If you are involved in community projects, we want to hear about them! Many of our members serve meals, help build Habitat homes, and volunteer their time to help others in need. Please share your experiences, or your company-related activity, with your fellow BA members.

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