Category Archives: LinkedIn

05/29/2012

FTJ Live – “Inside Orlando’s Tech Boom” 6/12/2012

By Aric Vinacke

Florida Technology Journal (FTJ) is Florida’s leading source for technology news, venture deals and events.   The site boasts one of the largest tech subscriber bases in the Southeast and strives to inform and connect Florida’s digital community.   On June 12th, FTJ is bringing their digital content offline and into one of Orlando’s emerging tech start-ups, Envy Labs.  The event is called “FTJ Live” and with 2 weeks to go has already seen over 300 registered attendees in what is shaping up to be one of the best events of the year.

ftj_live_marquee_article

Downtown Orlando’s thriving tech district is a global hub for high-tech and creative industries including; gaming, simulation, e-learning, app development, software, digital media and creative agencies.   This year’s FTJ Live digital leaders will discuss talent, culture, capital investment, entrepreneurship, and the impact of the Creative Village development in Downtown Orlando.

Panelists:

  • Daryl Holt, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, EA Sports
  • Ben Noel, Exec. Director, Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy
  • Carlos Carbonell, Co-Founder & CEO, Echo Interaction Group
  • Pete McAlindon, Co-Founder, Gazelle Lab Orlando
  • Craig Ustler, Real Estate Developer, Creative Village Downtown Orlando
  • Gregg Pollack, Co-Founder, Envy Labs and Code School

Moderated By: Kyle Christian Steele, Co-Founder & CEO, Doccaster

Join technology professionals, entrepreneurs and investors from across Florida at the new Envy Labs headquarters in Downtown Orlando’s high-tech district. Networking opportunities, cash bar and light appetizers served.

When: Tuesday, June 12, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Where: Envy Labs, 189 S. Orange Avenue, 20th Floor, Orlando, 32801, View Map

Registration Fee: Free with Online Registration

Sponsors:

trinet_logo_its2011           modis_logo_ftj_live

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Florida Technology Journal, LinkedIn, Orlando, Social Media, Tech, TriNet

09/04/2010

Momentum…

By Aric Vinacke

Much can be said about attitude, planning, scheduling, etc.  However, I believe that momentum is the single most important factor in whether or not I will reach my personal and professional goals each year.  Momentum is defined as a “strength or force gained by motion or through the development of events.” 

Ironically, there does seem to be a “strength or force” at work when momentum is reached.  It’s that feeling when time begins to fly by, weeks feel shorter, and appointments seem to schedule themselves.  There is little stress or tiredness, because things are in a groove.  Momentum has provided you with an enhanced state of mind, more focus in meetings, and a sense of comfort in asking for the business.  Smaller deals close quicker and bigger deals seem to find your desk. 

For those like me who are in a long-cycle selling process, my tip for reaching momentum is to partner up with someone in your business that can hold you accountable to your goals and help keep you on track.  There are 101 reasons why people do not want/need your products or solutions in this economy.  Having a partner can keep you fresh, shares in the workload, and provides a safe environment for constructive criticism to modify best practices. 

In my business, the one who hears the most no’s, typically has also heard the most yeses!  Some of those no’s take up a great deal of time and can much more easily be forgotten or pushed to a later date with the support of a partner in the deal.  Getting caught up in these situations can get you off track and just as easily flip momentum against you.  So, team up… and stay on the positive side of momentum.  That’s where the money is!

Talk soon…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Advisory Board Members, Business, LinkedIn, Sales

07/05/2010

5 Ways to Make Networking a Success!

By Aric Vinacke

Most people who I meet at networking events admittedly do not have a networking plan.  Quick question… Why not?

Before I go off on some 2 or 3 paragraph blog post about networking, understand that I too was this person.  I would pick networking events hoping to find a meeting or a sale.  I thought the purpose of the event was for me to make a connection that would result in some sort of financial gain for me.   As you can imagine, with this mentality…it didn’t take me long to find myself going to events, collecting a ton of cards, but not finding the results that I expected.

Once you have fallen for this trap, it’s much easier to tell yourself that “networking events are a waste of time,” instead of identifying the true cause of failure.  So, here is what I recommend…

  1. Have a purpose or goal

  2. Identify verticals & associations to target

  3. Connect with subject matter experts (I prefer LinkedIn for this)

  4. Pick the right events/develop plan specific for that event

  5. Work like hell to get a deal for your new connections.

What was missing from that list of 5?  Exactly…nowhere does it mention anything about me and financial gain.   I view networking as the best way for me to meet the experts in the verticals that I want to target, and a way to be involved with my connections to bring real deal flow to them and their business.   This simple 5-step approach has built great friends, referral sources, and most importantly….clients. 

Are you already doing this? Or, do you have a suggestion on ways to make networking more effective?  Let me know below, I welcome any/all feedback.

Talk soon…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Advisory Board Members, Business, Lead Generation, LinkedIn

07/04/2010

LinkedIn — Get Involved: Have an Opinion

By Aric Vinacke

Yes, of course LinkedIn is a great way to build your network of connections in business. However, do you participate in the discussions?  Do you take advantage of the Group(s) you are associated with? 

Truth is, you probably spend much less time on LinkedIn, and way too much time on other social media sites.  This is not to suggest that the other sites are not important. (because they are) LinkedIn provides you with a platform to get involved and have a voice.  Your participation shows confidence, expertise, and if worked correctly…can open doors for you with key individuals and companies. 

Participating in Group discussions allows your comments to be seen by all group members.  Discussions can be started by Group Managers for all to answer, and they can also be started by members within the Group.  Typically, these members are business owners, employees, clients, your competition, and prospects in your market.  Yes…PROSPECTS!   Does this mean that you answer a discussion topic with, “My company can provide you with “x”, when can we meet?”  Absolutely not!  By steering clear of the temptation of self-promotion, you will be working towards a trusted advisor relationship with the members of the group.   The opportunities to set a business meeting will come from being a provider of great content.

So, you now have two windows open on your computer and you are looking at which discussion to participate in right? (lol)  Take the easy route; create a topic for discussion that you feel confident you can participate in.  For a brief moment, you can be the expert.  Get involved,  have an opinion!

Talk soon…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Advisory Board Members, Business, Lead Generation, LinkedIn, Social Media

06/16/2010

Leveraging Social Networks to Find Top Talent and Quality Leads

By Aric Vinacke
Clara Shih

In case you missed the webinar, I have provided a quick recap and a link below that will take you to a recording of the session.

Last week, Clara Shih – author of The Facebook Era, teamed up with Burton Goldfield – CEO of TriNet Group, Inc., to share strategies on how to leverage social media networks to attract top talent and effectively generate leads.

Burton Goldfield

In a time where companies are trying to figure out whether to embrace social media, or run from it, Goldfield explains to the audience how TriNet leverages social networks to stay competitive in their market as well as how he personally uses Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

Shih provides an in-depth look at each of the social media sites and shows examples of the effective strategies companies are using to integrate these practices into their business.  Throughout the presentation, there are questions from the audience and you can find the answers and the entire webinar here:  http://bit.ly/TriNetWebinarTalent

Talk soon…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Business, LinkedIn, Social Media

06/11/2010

“C-Level” Advisory Board Members Group Launched on LinkedIn

By Aric Vinacke

This week, I had the privilege of co-founding the launch of the Advisory Board Members Group  for C-level executives on LinkedIn.  The group provides a venue for members to share ideas, provide advice, and answer questions to assist each other.  

Rich Becerra

Group owner, Rich Becerra (Consultant and Advisory Board Member) in Central Florida, came up with the idea after voluntarily serving on several company boards over the last 5 years.  Becerra has seen first hand the effect an Advisory Board can have on a small business.  In 2009, one of his assigned companies that he advises was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal for reporting growth in such a difficult economy.  In the owner’s words, because of her Advisors, the company expected “to be up 5%, compared with no growth in 2008.”  

The group has already amassed over 50 executives and Rich expects this number to continue to grow at a rapid pace.  “An Advisory Board is a powerful management tool that no business should be without.” said Becerra. “I encourage individuals that serve or have served in an advisory capacity to visit LinkedIn, and ask to be a part of the group…we’d love to have you and always look to add quality people to our network.”

If you are interested in joining the group, click on the Advisory Board Members logo to submit your request.  Talk soon…

 

1 comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Business, LinkedIn

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