Business Record - Iowa Biz

Networking Nov. 17 - 28

Networking is a key element in building relationships. What are you doing this week to further your career and business? Check out these upcoming networking events in Greater Des Moines.

Altoona luncheon
Tuesday, Nov. 18
The Altoona Area Chamber of Commerce will host a business networking luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Fireside Grille, 523 Eighth St. S.E. Attendees will have a chance to give a short business presentation. Register by calling 967-3366.

West Des Moines Breakfast
Wednesday, Nov. 19
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a Breakfast Before Business meeting from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Doctors Now, 640 S. 50th St., Suite #1100. Register by calling 225-6009.

Business Insights luncheon
Wednesday, Nov. 19
The Business Innovation Zone of Central Iowa will host its next Business Insights and Networking luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Greater Des Moines Partnership Building, 700 Locust St., Suite #100, Des Moines. J.D. Geneser, senior partner and capital advisor at LWBJ Financial will be the featured speaker. The cost is $10. Register to Cathy Spenceri at caspenceri@dmacc.edu.

Legislative luncheon
Wednesday, Nov. 19
Ankeny, Grimes, Johnston, Polk City and Urbandale chambers of commerce will host a legislative luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn, 5291 Stoney Creek Court, Johnston. Register by Monday to one of the participating chambers.

Legislative luncheon
Thursday, Nov. 20
The Carlisle, Indianola, Norwalk and South Des Moines chambers of commerce will host a legislative luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Stadium View, 130 S. First St., Carlisle. The cost is $15. Register by calling 402-1008.

West Des Moines luncheon
Thursday, Nov. 20
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the West Des Moines Council Chambers. Janet Tingwald will discuss “Communicating Difficult Change.” The cost is $10. Register by calling 225-6009.

West Des Moines Business After Hours
Thursday, Nov. 20
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. at O’Charley’s, 6240 Mills Civic Parkway. Register by calling 225-6009.

Legislative luncheon
Friday, Nov. 21
The Altoona Area, Bondurant, East Des Moines, Mitchellville and Pleasant Hill chambers of commerce will host a legislative luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Toad Valley Golf Course, 237, N.E. 80th St., Pleasant Hill.

Networking Sept. 15 - Sept. 19

Networking is a key element in building relationships. What are you doing this week to further your career and business? Check out these upcoming networking events in Greater Des Moines.

Urbandale reception
Monday, Sept. 15
The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce will host a reception for new members from 4 to 5 p.m. at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 150 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines. Learn more at www.uniquelyurbandale.com.

South Des Moines luncheon
Tuesday, Sept. 16
The South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a membership luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wakonda Club, 3915 Fleur Drive. The cost is $20 with a reservation and $25 without a reservation. Register to Megan Shields at mshields@desmoinesmetro.com.
Altoona luncheon
Tuesday, Sept. 16
The Altoona Area Chamber of Commerce will host a networking luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Fireside Grille, 523 Eighth St. S.E. Attendees will have a chance to give a short presentation of their business. Register by calling 967-3366.

BIZ luncheon
Wednesday, Sept. 17
The next Business Innovation Zone meeting will feature Cory Garrison of Merge Today Inc., who will discuss how to create a company sales plan and build relationships. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Greater Des Moines Partnership Building, 700 Locust St., Suite #100, Des Moines. The cost is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Register by e-mailing Cathy Spenceri at caspenceri@dmacc.edu.

Networking Sept. 2 - Sept. 10

Networking is a key element in building relationships. What are you doing this week to further your career and business? Check out these upcoming networking events in Greater Des Moines.                                                               

Urbandale luncheon
Friday, Sept. 5
The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the first floor meeting room at Merle Hay Mall. Barb Tapscott will discuss “Supervision and the Law.” The cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Register at www.uniquelyurbandale.com.

Golf outing
Wednesday, Sept. 10
The Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce will host a golf outing from noon to 6 p.m. at Terrace Hill Golf Course. Call 279-3618 for more information.

Social at The Stadium
Tuesday, Sept. 9
The Downtown Neighborhood Association will sponsor a social from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Stadium, Kaleidoscope at the Hub, 555 Walnut St., Second Floor, Suite #214, Des Moines. Enjoy drinks and appetizers with downtown neighbors and network with other professionals. For more information visit www.desmoinesdna.com.

Job fair and multicultural reception
Wednesday, Sept. 10
The Greater Des Moines Partnership will host a mini job fair and multicultural reception from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Principal Financial Group Inc., Corporate 4 Building, 600 Seventh St., Des Moines. To register or for more information, go to www.desmoinesmetro.com and click on “calendar” on the left-hand side.

Networking Aug. 14 - Aug. 20

Networking is a key element in building relationships. What are you doing this week to further your career and business? Check out these upcoming networking events in Greater Des Moines.

South Des Moines luncheon
Tuesday, Aug. 19
The South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a membership luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wakonda Club, 3915 Fleur Drive, Des Moines. The event is $20. Register by e-mailing Megan Shields at mshields@desmoinesmetor.com.

Entrepreneur potluck
Tuesday, Aug. 19
The New Iowa Entrepreneurs' Coalition will host a potluck at 6 p.m. at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center, 1200 Grand Ave., Des Moines. To learn more or register, go to www.new-iowa.biz.

Business Innovations and networking luncheon
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Tom Vander Well, partner and vice president of c wenger group, will give a presentation about how companies can improve their customer service. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Des Moines Partnership, 700 Locust St., Suite #100, Des Moines. To register or for more information email Cathy Spencer at caspencer@dmacc.edu.

Networking: July 31-August 5

Networking is a key element in building relationships. What are you doing this week to further your business and career? Check out these upcoming networking events in Greater Des Moines.

Live Free Live Green Happy Hour
Thursday, July 31

Enjoy light appetizers, drinks and a chance to mingle with other LGBTA and Green professionals beginning at 5 p.m. at Hillside Condo Penthouse, 1902 Woodland Ave., Unit #300, Des Moines. Hosted by One Iowa.

Chamber Night at Principal Park
Thursday, July 31

The Greater Des Moines Partnership will host a networking event at the Iowa Cubs ballgame, starting with a tailgate at 5:30 p.m. in the north parking lot of Principal Park. Tickets for the game are $3 per person and include the pre-game tailgate meal. Visit www.desmoinesmetro.com for more details.

Young Professionals Event
Thursday, July 31

The Young Professionals Connection will have a networking event on the lower level of Sbrocco, 208 Court Ave., Des Moines from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Register at www.ypcdsm.com.

19th Hole Golf Networking Event
Friday, August 1

This month's "19th Hole," a relaxed, and open environment for building positive business relationships, will be from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Longview Golf Dome, 10300 N.W. 54th Ave., Grimes. Many people like to build those relationships on the golf course, but have trouble with the time commitment.  This gives those people an alternative venue where everyone is relaxed and having a good time in a golf setting.

Chambers Golf Outing
Friday, Aug. 1

The South Des Moines, East Des Moines and Carlisle chambers of commerce will host a joint golf outing from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Willow Creek Golf Course, 140 Army Post Road, Des Moines. The cost is $85 and includes lunch, golf and dinner. Register by calling Megan Shields at 323-8306.

East Des Moines Luncheon
Monday, Aug. 4

The East Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a membership benefits luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Quality Inn & Suites Events Center, 929 Third St., Des Moines. The cost is $18 per person. Register by calling 283-9312.

Urbandale Reception
Monday, Aug. 5

The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce will host a new members' reception from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the chamber offices, 3600 86th St. For more information, visit www.uniquelyurbandale.com.

Business After Hours
Tuesday, Aug. 5

The East Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. at East Village Books, 510 E. Locust St. The event is free for members and $5 at the door for nonmembers. Register by e-mailing info@edmchamber.org.

Networking opportunities

Networking has grown in popularity in recent years, and continues to grow across all segments of society. What was once merely a buzz word has now become a viable tool in personal, professional and social development.

But what is networking?

Networking happens when people and/or organizations who have a common interest come together to support one another and share information.

Sound boring?

Not so fast.

When done correctly - and often - the phenomenon known as networking has the potential to enhance your life, your business and your career.

People from all walks of life "network" all the time, even if they do so unwittingly. Parents meet with other parents for support with raising their kids. Students seek out other students for friendship and help with school work. And gamers network with other gamers to learn about the hottest new tricks and secrets. The list goes on.

Then there's the business professional. These folks take networking to a whole new level by purposefully seeking out situations and events where they can build relationships and enlarge their spheres of influence.

As the adage goes, it's not what you know, but who you know.

In the business world, meeting and knowing the right people can lead to closing the sell, getting the story, or landing the job.

Businesses and careers are built in such ways. 

So, what are you doing to develop your business and career this week?

Are you looking to schmooze at a Business After Hours event? 
Maybe you're a morning person who wants to tell others about your business at the Urbandale AM Exchange?
Perhaps you'd like to sit in on a panel discussion with local entrepreneurs and small business owners? 
Young professionals have a place to connect, too.

For a more complete listing of networking events in the Des Moines area visit the Business Record's event calendar.

By the way, don't forget the business cards!

~ Todd Razor

Business Record acquires IowaBiz.com

The Business Record has acquired this IowaBiz.com Web site and will continue it as a source of business information in the form of blog posts written by a baker's dozen of local experts.

The blog authors and topics you've come to rely on here at IowaBiz will be staying the same.  We've also added a new face, Isaiah McGee who will be writing on life as a young professional.  (Check out all the authors and their bios in the sidebar)

We'd love to hear your thoughts about IowaBiz's new home.  The Business Record promises to also use the blog to keep Iowans plugged into networking meetings and opportunities.  You can also visit their calendar for a complete listing of the events in the area.

Read the entire story in this week's Business Record.

We're glad to be back!  Thanks to the Business Record for picking us up and thanks to Professional Solutions Insurance Services for getting us off the ground!

Big news is right around the corner!

Watch this space for an exciting announcement about IowaBiz's evolution! 

Think bigger, better, more!

We don't mean to be a tease but we're not quite ready to spill the beans. 

But when we do, we're confident that you'll be as enthused about the news as we are!

Stay tuned!

Social Media 101 - isn't it time you took the class?

Blogs, social media, web 2.0, RSS feeds.  What does it all mean?  And what does it mean for your business? 

Whether you only serve a local market or your work is global in scope -- there are aspects of these new communication tools that could give you quite an edge.  If you know how to harness their power.

Come hear what Nathan Wright of Lava Row has to say on the subject. 

Join us for March's installment of the Business Building Breakfast series.

Wednesday, March 26th
7:30 am - 8:30 am
14001 University Ave
Clive, IA 50325 

Please RSVP so they can have plenty of breakfast on hand.

Business Building Breakfast -- How to Avoid Legal Surprises in Your Company

Yes friends -- it's true. OnlyIowaBiz.com could make it happen!          

One hour of free consultation time with one of Iowa's best business attorneys -- Rush Nigut.  Join us for January's installment of the Business Building Breakfast series.                  

Wednesday, January 16th (yes, tomorrow!)

7:30 am - 8:30 am

14001 University Ave Clive, IA 50325

Please RSVP so we can have plenty of breakfast on hand. Want to know more? Read about the entire series.