REVEALED: The Hidden Secret Of Entrepreneurial Success…

Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs achieve a higher level of success than others? Are you puzzled when you see some businesses grow at a much faster rate than yours? Are you frustrated because you are hearing about opportunities in the market too late?

Well, let me tell you about the incredibly powerful, yet all too often ‘hidden’ secret to their success – the mastermind group. At Networked Events, we call these groups "Connector Groups".

FROM: Stephen Labuda

Dear Friend,

Napoleon Hill, author of the classic book Think and Grow Rich, first defined the mastermind as a “coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.”

Since the publication of Think and Grow Rich in the 1937, the idea of mastermind groups has grown and evolved to become ‘the hidden secret’ of successful individuals. In fact, if you ask top business leaders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs what they attribute their success to; most would credit their being a part of a Mastermind group like a Networked Events Connector Group.

You may have heard of similar groups but aren’t quite sure what they are, or if joining one would be right for you. Many people often wonder if they have what it takes to be in a group like this. Well, I have been a member of as many as three mastermind groups at one time, and I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that joining a Connector Group will prove to be one of the smartest decisions you’ve ever made for yourself and the growth of your business

What Are Connector Groups?

These groups can best be described as one part board of directors, one part peer-advisory committee and one part extended sales team.

A Connector Group is made up of like-minded entrepreneurs and professionals who come together to contribute to each other's success. These are small groups of business people (12-15) from non-competitive companies who meet regularly to help each other create business opportunities. The purpose is to develop strong business relationships with other people in your market, to share contact information and market intelligence in order to find new business opportunities, and to share business experience. Connector Groups are designed to help people grow their business by developing profitable new relationships within a facilitated meeting framework.

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Connector Groups Are Not Casual Leads Groups and They Are Not Like a BNI Group

First, Tom Vance professionally facilitates Connector Groups. Tom’s work began five years ago while at the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce where he created and managed the only chamber-sponsored Business Development Program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There he focused on helping the right people connect with each other. In its simplicity, an obvious truth took form - By surrounding yourself with good and trustworthy people, business interests of everyone involved are served, and served well.

Tom’s principles and practices of how to effectively expand your business network, transcends typical programs of “giving and getting leads”. Now, through Networked Events Connector Groups, his framework is further refined to not only show people how to effectively use norms of reciprocity with integrity and honesty, but also to capitalize on our natural inclination to help those around us.

Tom’s willingness to adapt to the needs of the members of the group has created an environment that is beneficial to each member of the group. Tom places an emphasis on developing relationships with other members of the group and with organizations in the Cambridge Community. The personal and business relationships I have developed through his Business Development groups have been instrumental in my professional growth.

Will Monks
Garrity Insurance

As a specialist in facilitating these discussions, Tom has helped hundreds of people expand their professional network, while reducing the incidence of opportunism and exploitation among sales and business development professionals.

Tom has witnessed unforeseen and extraordinary outcomes with people who’ve been open to discovering how they can contribute to another person’s life, whether professionally or personally. By finding ways to bring value to somebody else’s life, they position themselves as an invaluable resource, someone who knows a lot of other like-minded people who naturally look out for the best interests of each other.  

The Connector Groups, under Tom’s professional guidance and facilitation, are a framework that accelerate one’s ability to increase the number of ‘eyes and ears’ in the market that truly make a difference in your long-term prosperity.

How many people do you know who spend most of their time figuring out how to help OTHER people? Tom Vance is one of those people. He puts together and runs very well designed small networking groups of about 10 B2B folks, in my case, all sharing similar client profiles. This group has already given me new business and I’ve been able to refer new business to 3 group members, after only a few meetings.

William Barnes
New England Business Development

Just imagine what it would mean to your business to be in a group with other successful smart people who are selling to the same types of clients as you, though not competing with you, with different background and experiences and having them freely, openly, and confidentially share information to help you grow your business.

Very Powerful!

Let’s be honest, it’s easy to feel isolated and it can also difficult to find peers who understand the unique challenges and issues of growing and running a business or finding new clients. I have personally been enriched with ideas and connections that might otherwise have taken me years to develop on my own, if they would have occurred to me at all!

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Think of your Connector Group as your own personal dream team!

I remember the days when I would spend so much time trying to figure out what networking events to go to, how to meet people, and which business contacts I should meet. After meeting Tom, I now have the perfect person to point me in the correct direction. His advice on what I should attend and introductions to business contacts has never failed me.

Nathan Ciara
Yurva LLC

With so much history and proven success, you may be wondering why so many entrepreneurs resist joining a group like this.

Let me talk about two reasons why some entrepreneurs hesitate to join a group – time and money. I understand it might be hard to envision dedicating the necessary time to meet with your group, and the monthly fees may be the last thing you think you need to take on.

I understand, initially, many years ago, these were my thoughts also. However, I am very grateful that at the time I had some friends ‘push’ and ‘nudge’ me into joining my first mastermind group because I’ve not only benefited enormously from the experience, both in terms of doing more business (reimbursing me many times more than the cost of the fees), but I also started working smarter on my business and, therefore, the time I dedicated to each meeting was also dramatically reimbursed.

No question about it.

Experience and numerous surveys have shown that the number one reason for not joining a Connector Group is a lack of understanding of how an effective Group operates.

Two specific questions are:

1.    “What does a Connector Group really look like?” and
2.    “What will I contribute and get out of it?”

Perhaps you may be wondering what goes on ‘Behind the Closed Doors’ of a Connector Group meeting. Let me explain…

All the members are just normal folks, just like you. There is an incredible feeling of support and camaraderie in the group. All titles, egos, years of experience, and income statements are checked ‘at the door’. The group exists for one reason only - to advance and further the development, success and wealth of all its members. There is literally nothing like it.

During the meetings, all members get to share what is going on in their businesses and members have the opportunity to present an issue of concern or to bounce a new business idea off the group for feedback.

You will hear about successes, failures (otherwise known as tests!), and business challenges. All members agree to a strict level of confidentiality, which ensures that meetings are safe havens to openly share experiences and ask questions.

Members report on what they’ve accomplished and implemented since the previous meeting. This accountability is an important part of the process and is a useful way to measure progress between meetings. This accountability can be a powerful motivator in taking action in your business. Meetings also have a feeling of equality to them. The facilitator makes sure that member interaction is balanced and focused, with no one member taking up too much time. It’s not unusual during each meeting to have every member experience at least one, if not many more, “Aha!” moments. Members typically write down these breakthrough ideas and strategies to take back with them to implement in their businesses. The most successful members ask for specific and direct feedback from the collective wisdom and experience of the group.

There is no doubt that being part of a Connector Group can help your business grow in ways that you can’t even imagine, and at speeds that might seem impossible.

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So, you may be wondering who should be part of a Networked Events Connector Group?

The answer is you! If you are a forward-thinking professional who has tried other "leads" groups only to find...

• Traditional "leads groups" are too focused on B2C business and not focused on B2B business opportunities
• Most of the people in traditional "referral groups" are not calling on the same buyers as you
• Other groups are too rigid and try to force results through repetition that doesn't work
• Traditional groups require too much time in relation to what they produce for your business
• Other groups don't facilitate collaboration and the sharing of market intelligence
• Informal groups rely on peer facilitation, which distracts from your focus on finding new opportunities

If you’re committed to resolving any of these issues for yourself, then you want to belong to a Connector Group - a professionally facilitated business development conversation. These groups are perfect if you are a results-oriented professional who...

• Has an honestly open mind and progressive attitude
• Is extremely busy and in need of a time-efficient way to learn and develop new connections
• Is highly-motivated to make improvements in marketing, sales, and operations
• Is eager to substantially increase their income
• Is willing to share ideas, experiences and market information to help other like-minded business professionals
• Values being a part of a creative process
• Is a lifelong learner who is always seeking improvement
• Is open and ready to hear some outside-of-the-box ideas and constructive feedback
• Is accepting of being challenged to do what you say you will – a huge benefit of membership

However, Connector Groups are not for everyone. Based on my experience, here is Who SHOULD NOT Participate? Individuals who...

• Are set in their ways, stubborn, fearful of change and/or ignore truth
• Are satisfied with or married to their present advertising, marketing, and sales methods
• Have no need or desire for increase of income, wealth, or business value
• Are selfish, unappreciative and/or have poor integrity
• Are not open to being challenged and gently ‘pushed’ outside your comfort zone – which is where real growth comes from.
• Are not willing to put in the effort required to develop new mutually beneficial business relationships

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Let me tell you about Networked Events Connector Group Opportunities for 2010

The Connector Groups will be launching in January 2010. Here is what will be expected of you and your peers in the group.

Meeting Attendance & Participation:

• First, This is a one-year commitment.
• Meetings are two hours long & held every 3 weeks, scheduled either 7-9am on Tuesday-Friday, or 12Noon to 2pm on Tuesday-Thursday. They’re held on a consistent day of week (TBD) & at a consistent location (TBD). Block out these meetings in your calendar for the entire year and honor that time. Your clients and colleagues will respect you have another meeting scheduled.
• Mandatory attendance for 17 meetings; exceptions are, 1) a death in family, 2) a sudden illness in family, 3) a threat of violence perpetrated on you and/or others near you by someone, 4) a transportation breakdown, 5) your traffic accident (not traffic caused by an accident (show up late), 6) you provide aid to an accident victim(s), 7) a declared emergency or 8) the observation of a religious holiday.
• Forfeiture of fee and your seat at the table happens upon a 3rd absence - no exceptions.
• Mandatory attendance for the entire two-hour meeting; no late arrivals & no early departures.
• No substitutions for any of the meetings. People are counting on you showing up. Take on this truth: your presence and what you contribute makes a difference – period!
• You are expected to have one-on-one meetings with all of the members of your group - in fact, you are encouraged to meet with or talk to the other members of your group as often as possible.

Connector Group require preparation

All attendees are expected to come to meetings with a game plan. ‘Winging it’ won’t work and demonstrates a diminished level of commitment to the success of everyone at the table including yourself.

1. Have your Profile completed and copies with you to distribute to people.
2. Bring names, phone numbers, and email addresses of people you want to refer to other members.
3. Bring your client and prospect lists (identify prospects you are interested in meeting and see if members have contacts).
4. Know exactly what you’re going to say when it’s your turn to introduce yourself to the group and provide members a profile of the types of clients you seek.
5. Choose a member you want to schedule a One-On-One meeting with.
6. Bring useful business information others would benefit from; a great website, market intelligence, personal changes at companies, unique taglines you’ve heard from others.

Meeting Agenda Topics

An agenda for each meeting will be posted online in the Networked Events Connector Group for your specific group at least one week prior, and you will be notified of it’s posting via email. Agenda topics will include:

• Introductions - who you are, your value proposition, a professional success
• Market intelligence about opportunities & people
• Specific companies targeted for prospecting
• Introductions received on behalf of someone including outcomes, updates & missteps in the process
• Hot Seat – one person per meeting presents some situation in business they face that would benefit from others perspective and experience
• Your specific action steps between meetings. Saying aloud that you are going to do something makes it real. It also makes it easier to support you in getting what you want.
• Guest speakers

Connector Groups will rely on and leverage the Networked Events website.

You will create and maintain a compelling online profile - This written statement helps others understand exactly what you do. It includes your name, title, company profile, and value proposition. Also you want to include a description of your ideal clients and their problems that you help resolve. All of the members of your group will be connected on the website and your profile will become part of your groups virtual business directory.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to record goals and actions online in your private Networked Events Connector Group. This is also where questions, successes, accomplishments, market news, tips, and market intelligence gets posted. This resource is accessible only by members of your Connector Group, and no one else. Over time - It will become a vital repository of information about you and your fellow Connectors. Neglecting it diminishes everyone’s ability to serve and support you, and reflects a lowered commitment to being a Connector.

Free Bonus

• Everyone in a Connector Group gets FREE admission to our monthly mixer events - A savings of between $120 and $360 per year!
• Connector Group participants will be invited to 2 free invite-only, private events just for Connectors
• Connector Group participants get premier placement opportunities in our monthly printed newsletter - Free advertising to thousands of subscribers!

Okay, it’s time to decide and take action!

If you’re happy with your personal progress, productivity and the growth of your business, this is probably not for you.

But if you’re looking to move your business forward at a more rapid pace and to higher levels of success, if you’re looking to be challenged and inspired by peers who are facing and overcoming the same challenges as you, then I urge you to join a Connector Group. You will look back on this decision as one of your best ever. Tom and I look forward to working with you and helping to make 2010 your best year ever!

To your success,

Stephen Labuda

PS. This is not a program for ‘tire-kickers’ who just want to hang out for a few months and soak up some ideas and knowledge. Please do not apply to join unless you’re serious about making the commitment of being part of the group for one year!