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www.wbjournal.com May 11, 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 27 I t has been a transformational spring for area entrepreneurs, underscored by Worcester's first " I n n o v a t i o n Month," a welcome move by the city and pro- business organizations to incubate new businesses and accelerate their development. It's a good time for local entrepreneurs to look locally for the support, connections, services and financing they need to start their businesses and move their best ideas forward. We're seeing this today as growing numbers of college students, first- time and serial entrepreneurs, lawyers, marketers, designers, angel investors and bankers are coming together to talk about doing business in Worcester. While holding networking events for entrepreneurs is not new, those being held today are beginning to flourish. Here are six ways you can capitalize on this trend and make the most of entrepreneurial networking: 1. Set good goals. Networking success used to be measured by the number of business cards you brought home from an event. Focus instead on building relationships. Talk to people. Make an impression. Then use the business card to follow up. 2. Practice makes perfect. Networking events often feature "elevator pitch" and other short-form communication competitions to see who can express their business idea most succinctly and compellingly. Practice your pitch (present your idea, why it's important and what kind of help you need to move it along) in advance, whether you're competing or not. Even if you're "just networking," you're really competing to make a memorable impression. 3. Listen and learn. While you'll want to present your ideas succinctly, staying on point to maximize your time and that of your fellow attendees, spend more time listening than talking. Hear how others present their business ideas; learn from their successes and failures; and take time to understand what investors want from you to fund your idea. 4. Build your ecosystem. The best networking events for entrepreneurs attract talent from the "ecosystem" you'll need to launch and grow your business. Take advantage of this to make connections with, and learn from, those in legal, technology, marketing and other key services. For example, a connection you make with a local videographer can save you some painful cold calling later when you need a video for your home page. 5. Think, follow up, follow through. What did you learn at the event? What best practices should you make your own? Who did you meet? Who sparked your interest and may have more to share? Who can you help? Write down the ideas you come away with, build them into a plan that you keep evolving, and follow up with the people who interest you. 6. Stay social. Enhance your networking through social media by joining business groups online and engaging with compelling companies and individuals. The resources for launching and growing a great business aren't just "out there," they're here in Worcester — backed by a supportive community — and ready for your use. n Kevin Anderson and Michael Aguirre are co-founders of VentureMeets, a networking group for Worcester-area entrepreneurs, and eOxity, a business- services exchange. Contact them at kanderson@eoxity.com or maguirre@eoxity.com. By Lori Leinbach Lori Leinbach is owner and head chef of Culinary Underground, in Southborough, which promotes the art and craft of home cooking, in some cases through corporate team-building exercises. Contact her at lori@ culinaryunderground.com. 10 Things I Know About... Effective networking for entrepreneurs KNOW HOW 10. Icebreakers are essential … Even if the participants work together regularly. For example, one creative marketing group wrote and sang a jingle to "sell" its recipes. 9. Random team distribution is best. Some facilitators like to select their groups in advance, but why complicate it? The old "numbers in a hat" selection method always works. 8. Subvert the dominant paradigm. It's fun to assign the boss a menial task. You'll laugh about it all the way to your performance review. 7. Collaboration is Job 1. Each team focuses on what it should be doing, not what the other teams are up to. 6. Assign a team leader. This helps control the chaos, even if that person simply keeps an eye on the clock for the team. 5. Knife skills first. Assuming that adults know how to use knives usually results in blood, bandages and bad language. That's why we demo the basics first. So, don't volunteer for a task for which you know nothing. 4. Lock up the hot sauce. Some participants feel the answer to more flavor is more heat, and some don't like any heat. Resolving the "spiciness" issue is great practice for bargaining, persuasion and debating. 3. Taste, taste, taste. If students learn to salt their creations properly, our work is done. We provide plenty of spoons for this "consensus building" exercise. 2. Turn up the music. Sinatra, Streisand, Shaggy or Spinal Tap. We program the tunes to suit corporate challenges. Fast, upbeat music keeps productivity and energy levels high. 1. Limit ingredients. Too many choices result in odd flavor choices. Limiting ingredients streamlines decision-making and allows participants to fully commit to their recipes. It's less stressful, too. n Creative team building "C an I give you some feedback?" Those six words can spark anxiety in the hearts of those on your work team, but they shouldn't, if they're delivered correctly and presented in the proper perspective. Giving feedback is not a signal for the recipient to go on the defensive, but something you manage to improve and grow your company — and it's something you should do regularly. Here are three key points on giving feedback: Be specific. Scott Halford, in an article at Entrepreneur.com, gives an example of what not to do ("You need to be more talkative in meetings.") and how you can get better at getting your message across by communicating more specifically and in a positive direction: "You're smart. I want to hear at least one opinion from you in every meeting we're in together going forward." Give feedback early and often. Instead of making feedback something that happens in an employee's yearly or twice-yearly review — when tensions may be high — offer continuous feedback throughout the year. "Praise good performance right away. When negative feedback is required, talk with the employee within 24 hours," says Cynthai M. Pheol in an article for HBR. org, instead of letting weeks pass without a conversation. Make feedback a practice of every day, every week. Avoid negative language, such as phrases that begin with you saying "I don't think …" or "You shouldn't ..." when speaking to your team member. That kind of language can make an employee bristle or become defensive. ITBusinessEdge.com recommends instead going for phrases like, "Have you considered …" or "Maybe you could try …" to keep the lines of communication open and keep your colleague open to what you're saying. n 101: GIVING FEEDBACK >> BY SUSAN SHALHOUB Special to the Worcester Business Journal BY KEVIN ANDERSON AND MICHAEL AGUIRRE Special to the Worcester Business Journal 6 ways to master the 'meet up' and help grow your venture (through a cooking class)