​by Jennefer Witter, CEO/Founder, The Boreland Group Inc.
For many, the act of networking easy: You go to an event, exchange business cards, make the connection. Yet, oftentimes, networking contacts go cold. The most common explanation for many entrepreneurs is that their day is consumed by running their businesses with little time for anything else. However, networking is a critical component of business growth, and letting valid contacts go fallow is a definite don’t.
Here are five nuts-and-bolts tips on building a professional relationship that even the busiest executive can incorporate into his or her schedule:

1. Prioritize. Don’t spread yourself thin-it really is quality over quantity. Target the top 10-20 people with whom you want to cultivate a professional relationship. This pinpoint focus will maximize your available time and effort.
2. Social media. When you meet a contact and the conversation goes well, ask if you can connect on LinkedIn. Liking or commenting on the person’s posts is a great way to remain in touch. You can also track their activities and take appropriate action as called for (ie, offering congratulations on a promotion or sharing one of their posts or blogs with your network-a surefire way to gain their attention and appreciation). Another tactic is including targets in a #FF tweet (which are extremely popular).
3. Invitations. I was recently a guest speaker at a high-profile venue and invited several networking contacts to attend – at my expense. Yes, it was an investment, but the engagement underscored my professional reputation and industry expertise. It doesn’t have to be a speaking engagement. Consider inviting contacts to a Chamber event that you are leading, sponsoring or even just attending as a guest. Whatever it is, it will help to strengthen your connection.
4. Something nice. Sallie Krawcheck, the chair of Ellevate Network, a professional women’s networking organization to which I belong, says she tries to do something “nice” at least once a week for her networking contacts.* That niceness doesn’t have to be huge – it can as simple as forwarding an article. I do this on a regular basis with my networking circle (clients, too!). We are bombarded with information and no one can realistically read every publication. And even if they have already seen it, they will appreciate the fact you thought to share the information. *If you can’t do something weekly, aim for twice a month. Whatever your timeframe is, remember to be consistent in your outreach.  Make it a reoccurring date on your e-calendar and set up a two day reminder so you don’t have to rush around, last minute, thinking of what to do or send.
5. Ask. Networking is not solely about getting: it’s about giving as well. So, ask your targets if there’s anything you can do for them. Even if they say “no,” they will welcome the gesture. And if they say “yes,” it’s another opportunity to grow the relationship.

Bonus tip! Authenticity is key. You *must* be truly genuine in every aspect of your outreach. Fakeness or insincerity will be quickly discerned and that can cause more harm than good.
I hope you find these suggestions of value. I have used all of them with great success and my clients have benefited as well by following them. Let me know if they work for you! 

​by Dr. Crissy Markova, DMD, Virginia Center for Orthodontics  
"I want straight teeth but don’t want to look like a teenager with braces!"
I’ve heard this one before. There has been a huge trend in orthodontics over the past 10 years as the number of adult patients seeking orthodontic services has tripled. More and more, I have patients that were not able to receive orthodontic treatment as children or whose teeth have shifted over the years – they want a beautiful smile but want to maintain a professional appearance in the process!
Adult orthodontics is different from the traditional teen orthodontics since many more factors have to be considered for the overall long-term health of the teeth and jaw joints. At the Virginia Center for Orthodontics, we have an entire suite dedicated to our adult patients to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
With new advances in braces and Invisalign, there is a focus on cosmetic treatment options. Braces have gotten increasingly smaller in size, less noticeable, and more comfortable for patients. Ceramic/clear braces blend in with the tooth color and are highly cosmetic. Another option is hidden, or lingual, braces. These braces are customized and molded for every individual tooth and go on the inside of the teeth by the tongue. Patients can get that perfect smile without anyone seeing that they have anything on the outside of their teeth!
Invisalign® is another esthetic option that many of my adult patients like. Invisalign® has made significant improvements over the years and more patients are now candidates for Invisalign®. This involves a series of clear trays that are changed weekly, straightening teeth gently. It is easy to maintain oral hygiene since the trays can be removed, especially if there are any concerns about gum health.
Adult patients seeking orthodontics should feel confident that there are good options to fit their lifestyle. The Virginia Center for Orthodontics offers complimentary consultations – see your friendly neighborhood orthodontist today! 

​by Carolyn Carlson, Carlson Consulting

A few weeks ago, you may have read a blog post about tips for boosting and positively expanding your outreach and online communications. This week, we'd like to discuss the top ten tips for outbound email broadcasting. 
1) Organically collect and harvest as many email addresses as you can on your own. 

2) Send a test to yourself and check all of the hyperlinks. If you have more than one personal email address, send it to all email addresses that you have, and to email addresses of co-workers and friends who have the time to edit and proof your message.
3) Subject line is key. For most prospecting messages, you only have a few seconds of the recipient’s attention to grab or lose them. What is the call to action in your message? Perhaps the most common mistake in email communications is not including enough links and multiple requests for the call to action.
4) Deliver your message during business hours, Tuesday through Thursday, in order to obtain the best open rate.
5) Email content with the recipient’s first name may give you a higher open rate and click through rate. Use an email broadcasting that has a Dear “first name” mail merge code capability.
6) Content should be short.  Use hyperlinks to keep the message succinct. Email is a condensed version of direct mail. To ensure the greatest compatibility used by your recipients, use tables when possible, especially if you plan to use two images next to each other.
7) Have Linked In, Facebook, Twitter and blog features in your outbound email broadcast message. A “Forward to a Friend” feature is crucial in positively informing more friends to receive and read your message.
8) Look at reporting stats. Look at the open rate and see which message or messages have the best open rate and click through rate. Monitor your unsubscribe stats.
9) Email outreach takes time to court and to educate a reader. Don’t start your effort with a short period of time before an important event. Build your open rate with multiple messages to "Save the Date" and followup with subsequent messages with further details and key speakers/attendees.
10) Most email sending platforms only allow opt-in email communications. Get an email broadcast platform that can deploy to third party email lists beyond opt-in only lists.

​by Debbie Powers, Deputy Coordinator, Arlington County Office of Emergency Management
September is National Preparedness Month.  Is your business prepared for any emergency? Are you employees prepared?  Are you sure?  Now is a good time to think about what your business and employees would do when an emergency arise.
Does your business have a “COOP”? (Not a chicken coop, but a Continuity of Operations Plan). What happens if the building your business is in is not operational for a long period of time?  Do you have an alternative way to provide your business services?  Do you have a communications plan with your employees that is effective, even when the power is out?
The good news is if your business is prepared for one emergency, it is prepared for any emergency.  What changes is how you respond, either shelter in place or evacuate.  Be sure to include drills and exercises at least annually to practice your plans.
Having personal items, such as medications, water and a non-perishable snack in a “go bag” are important if you must shelter in place or evacuate.  You never know when something will happen on the commute either, so make this part of your plan.
Knowing how to get information in an emergency is critical and there are several ways Arlington businesses and employees can get emergency information.  Arlington Alert is free and easy to sign up.  Visit www.arlingtonalert.com.  There is also “an app for that!” -- Arlington Prepares can be downloaded free. One additional way is via 1700 AM, Arlington/s emergency radio station or by calling 1-415-655-0811 to hear emergency information.
Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management is here to help you prepare your business and employees for emergencies or to assist with drills or exercises.  Contact Debbie Powers, via email at[email protected] or phone, 703-228-3314 for information on COOP planning, preparedness, or other related topics.