Networking Insight

Book Review: The E-Factor by Adrie Reinders & Marion Freijsen

The E-Factor was written by Adrie Reinders and Marion Freijsen who are creators of EFactor.com, the world's largest entrepreneuial community, and authors of The N Factor. Adrie began his entrepreneurial journey in information technology in 1975 and has served as an advisor and board member for numerous successful private and public companies. Marion has about 30 years of global entrepreneurial and leadership experience in developing and overseeing sales teams and launching finance and technology-driven companies.

The book is comprised of the following chapters:

• The E Factor Story
• A New Game: Obstacles to Overcome
• New Rules: Funding Startups
• New Tools of Engagement: The World of Social Media
• New Connections: Virtual Networking
• New Working Environments: Collaboration on a Cloud
• New Mindset: Entrepreneurial Philosphy 2.0
• New Transitions: Failure Case Studies on What Went Wrong
• New Transitions: Success Case Studies of Companies on the Move
• A New Vision for Today's Entrepreneur

The book explores the many challenges facing entrepreneurs in today's environment. Baesd on the authors many years of entrepreneurial endeavors, they are able to share their perspective on getting started with a new business.

The authors discuss challenges such as restricted resources, skills gaps, and financial limitations. In the book, they share how to overcome these obstacles so entrepreneurs can mitigate some of their startup risks.

In addition, the book highlights the successes and failures of many businesses through a series of case studies. By structuring the book this way, the case studies further expand on the lessons learned throughout the book.

If you are interested in gaining a compettive advantage in today's business climate, then this book may be worth a read. It is a quick read because the style of the book is engaging and conversational.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.

 

Chicago Event: Angel Investing - The Inside Scoop - 8/21

Angel Investing - The Inside Scoop

Angel investments are as old as the world yet not often the first in mind when it comes to finding the funds to start your business. Angels - the word kind of says it all - can be a match made in heaven. They often are Entrepreneurs themselves, having had some/considerable success - and they now want to pay it forward and assist business startups just like yours. Funding studies sponsored by Harvard Business School provide evidence that angel-funded companies have historically been less likely to fail and there is a good reason why...

We are going to share exactly why it can be great to have an Angel Investor in your business. And share all there is know about angel investments. We’ve invited a panel of key Angel Investors to help educate you on how to approach them, what they look for and how to get them to consider funding your venture. Before you launch your business idea, you must attend EFactor’s presentation on Angel Investing in Chicago.

Keynotes

- Greg Grove, Principal, Much Shelis

- Seyi Fabode, Co-Founder & CEO, Power2Switch

Angel Investors

- Karin O'Connor, Managing Director, Hyde Park Angels

- Ron Kirschner, President, Heartland Angels

- Larry Hayward, Co-Founder, Cornerstone Angels

- Gale Bowman, Managing Director, Irish Angel

- Craig Bradley, Co-Founder, Wildcat Angels

Event Details

- Date: 8/21/13

- Time: 6-9pm

- Location: Much Shelist, 191 N. Wacker, 8th Floor Conference Room, Chicago

- Price: $10

- Sponsors: EFactor, Much Shelist

For more details and to register, go to http://www.efactor.com/angelinvestingchi

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.

Social Networking Humor

 

10 Summer Business Relationship Building Tips

With the summer in full swing, it is common for people to put relationship building on hold. In fact, the summer is a great time to continuously build new and existing relationships.

Below are 10 tips for building relationship during the summer:

1. Invite people to sporting events. Great way to get to know someone in a casual environement.
2. If you are a golfer, then invite some of your business aquaintenances to golf with you. Playing a four hour plus round is a good way to get to know someone very well.
3. Hone in on your personal branding techniques. Take the time to assess your current personal branding strategies and explore new strategies as well.
4. Increase your social media presence. Spend more time with tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook so you can continue to stay on top of technology and your brand.
5. Host your own happy hours or BBQs. Take advantage of the nice summer weather to bring your network together.
6. Meet people for lunch on a regular basis. Take the time time to reconnect with people in your network by inviting them to lunch.
7. Make introductions between people in your network. A great way to stay top of mind is to faciliate introductions between like minded people.
8. If you have kids, then get together often with other families and their kids for summer activities. Your kids are a great way for you to get to know other people.
9. Read business books and magazines. Catch up on your reading during the summer, which will give you talking points with other professionals.
10. Have fun and relax. The summer is one of the best times of the year to be more social and casual while still being around other people.

What other summer tips do you have to share?

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.