On November 24 the EBBE group sponsored a seminar on LinkedIn by Marlene Gavens- a local area social media expert. 

Some of the topics covered by Ms. Gavens included:  Getting started and developing your LinkedIn online profile, building your LinkedIn network and an overview of Useful LinkedIn features (e.g, Answers, Search, etc…) .

In addition, Ms. Gavens answered many questions posed by the 20 people in attendance.

The EBBE group would like to thank Marlene for her great presentation!

The EBBE Group is sponsoring a training session (+ networking opportunity) for business professionals called “Using Linkedin^® to Grow Your Business” by invited speaker Marlene Gavens.

This session will be held at the Longmeadow Storrs Library (Betty Ann Low Room) located at 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA on Tuesday, November 24 from 7 – 9 PM.  See directions.

Some of the topics will include:

1. Getting started and developing your LinkedIn online profile.
2. Building your LinkedIn network.
3. Overview of Useful LinkedIn features (e.g, Answers, Search, etc…)

Please reserve your seat by calling Bill Gilligan at (413) 374-3664.

Linkedin^® is a business-oriented social networking site launched in May 2003 and as of October 2009, had more than 50 million registeredsers, spanning more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of its members are outside the U.S. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members.

Ms. Gavens is a recognized Internet and Social Media Strategist who works with individuals, businesses and organizations to establish an Internet presence and achieve specific goals.

Our next monthly “After 5″ event will be held at Bertucci’s Restaurant in Longmeadow, MA (see directions) on Tuesday, October 27 from 5-7 PM.

Here is a link to a video from one of our earlier “After 5″ events. A brochure describing our group and its members is available online.

If you are a small business owner visiting our EBBE blog for the first time and interested in learning more about our group, please feel free to drop in at this upcoming event for a free glass of wine.   To reserve a spot, call Bill Gilligan- EBBE president at (413) 374-3664.

Remember: NETWORKING IS A CONTACT SPORT!!!!!

Our next monthly “After 5″ event will be held at Bertucci’s Restaurant in Longmeadow, MA (see directions) on Tuesday, August 25 from 5-7 PM.

Here is a link to a video from one of our earlier “After 5″ events. A brochure describing our group and its members is available online.

If you are a small business owner visiting our EBBE blog for the first time and interested in learning more about our group, please feel free to drop in at this upcoming event for a free glass of wine.   To reserve a spot, call Bill Gilligan- EBBE president at (413) 374-3664.

Remember: NETWORKING IS A CONTACT SPORT!!!!!

Incredibly, with virtually no fanfare or complaint, on August 1, 2009 the wonderful Commonwealth is increasing the sales tax by 25%.                         THINK ABOUT THAT! 25%!! I wish I could raise my prices by 25%.

Ah, wishful thinking. But it does offer a marketing opportunity. Print the coupon above ( or ask me when you see me . . . I have plenty ) , give it to a friend and tell them about Western Massachusetts’ State Inspection Headquarters and what a great place Tyre Trak is to shop for anything that can be done to a car. They save $$$ . . . 6.25% on any one taxable item purchased between now and 12/31/09. Write your name on the back     . . . I get a sale . . .you get a referral.

Pretty easy, huh?

The latest version of the EBBE bylaws is now posted in the About Us section of the blog.

Below is a short video clip showing the great time for all who attended tonight’s “after 5″ event at Bertucci’s.

[Watch video in HQ (high quality) if possible by clicking the HQ icon]

Tonight’s “after 5″ networking event at Bertucci’s was a great success with 8 group members (Tim Andrew, Ernie Bramucci, Norm Corigliano, Bill Gilligan, Jim Moran, Dick Forrest, Sydney Hirsch and Joe Zawrotny) in attendance and two prospective members (Bob Barnhart of Package Printing Co and Bill Baxter of Barnum Financial Group) invited by Dick Forrest.

Hopefully, we will see other members at next month’s event.

Jim Moran

Larry Krainson shared this video that describes an interesting future where technology will bring “a wealth of information to our fingertips”.

There was a change of venue for yesterday’s EBBE weekly meeting.  Because Norm Corigliano of Sitescape was scheduled to make his business presentation to the group, he asked Bill Gilligan, a current client and EBBE member if he could use his home landscape as a showcase example of his work.  Bill graciously accepted and invited the entire EBBE group to his home for the meeting.

For those members who did not attend below is a short video clip of Norm’s presentation….

[click button to play in High Quality (HQ) if possible]

A very large THANK YOU to Bill Gilligan for his hospitality and great breakfast food (from Gus & Pauls Bakery).