Professional Networking in Orlando

Professional Networking in Orlando

Networking is more than just exchanging business cards or adding new contacts on LinkedIn; it’s about creating meaningful connections that with honest intentions for mutual growth and professional opportunities. As someone who has navigated the vibrant business landscape of Orlando for years, I’ve learned insights and strategies that have not only helped me overcome the initial jitters of networking but also build lasting relationships in the professional community including many that I still have to this day. Here’s how you can do the same.

Embrace the Power of Connection

Orlando has a dynamic business environment is that is full of opportunities for professionals that are eager to expand their network. The key is to approach networking with a mindset of building connections rather than mere transactions. Add in the intention of seeking 1 or 2 people in the room that you may be able to provide help or insight to, and you’ll really leave a lasting impression. Remember, the most fruitful relationships are built on genuine interest and mutual respect.

Finding Your Circle

One of the most effective strategies I use is to look for groups of people at networking events and approach them with subtlety. Wait for a moment when someone makes eye contact or gives a nod, it’s usually a signal that it’s okay to join the conversation. This non-intrusive approach respects the existing dynamic and gently opens the door for you to be welcomed. Once you’re part of the circle, engage in the conversation with intent. Ask thoughtful questions and listen actively. Repeat back parts of what someone says to demonstrate that you’re not just hearing but truly listening. This not only helps in making the conversation more engaging but also in remembering the key points about each person, which can be invaluable when following up.

The Art of the Soft Sell

A common misstep in networking is leading with a sales pitch. Don’t be that person! This approach can feel transactional and off-putting. Instead, focus on building a rapport without any immediate expectation of getting something in return. The goal is to foster a connection that could naturally lead to business opportunities in the future.

Overcoming Nervousness

It’s natural to feel nervous when stepping into a room full of strangers, especially when the pressure to make meaningful connections is high. When you get nervous, remind yourself that most everyone in the same place right now are also just as nervous. Some things you can do to help with that is to prepare an Elevator Pitch. Having a concise and compelling way to introduce yourself can boost your confidence and make a strong first impression. It’s not something you’re going to come up with overnight, and although the process can be tough, trust it because you’ll instantly see when you deliver it right and it’ll feel amazing!

Set Realistic goals for yourself. Instead of aiming to meet everyone in the room, set a goal to have meaningful conversations with maybe five or six people. Try out different types of events like Toastmasters, Speed Networking, Lunch & Learns, and After Hours Socials. The variety will get you exposed to various types of people in settings that you may find you’re most comfortable at and the connection opportunities to be of the better quality.

Timely Follow-Ups

This is probably the most crucial tip of all that I have to give, which is to make time first thing the next morning and send an intentional direct email. Part of my workflow is to send a warm email and include a memorable part of the event that the person I’m emailing and I shared so that I help to jog their memory and also show that I honestly remember them. Then I add them to my mailing list. Depending on how well the interaction went I will search for them on Linked In and if they’re active enough, I’ll ask to connect with them and use a personal short message with the connection request.

Networking in Orlando’s bustling business environment can be incredibly rewarding if approached with the right strategies. One of my mottos is “You’re only one connection away from your biggest deal”. It’s true though because as I think about some of the colleagues I have; I can name a few that have access to a private jet, own multiple properties, own large organizations, and manage multiple businesses. The key thing is knowing how to leverage those relationships and contacts with a mutual gain. If you’re starting out, focus on genuine connections, listening actively, and following up effectively, you can turn brief encounters into lasting professional relationships. Oh and remember, networking is a skill that improves with practice, so don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks. With each event, you’ll grow more comfortable and get much better at navigating the art of professional networking.

Florida Annual Report – Sunbiz Filing for Businesses

Florida Annual Report – Sunbiz Filing for Businesses

Every year at this time is when the Annual Report filing window opens. This is required any for-profit corporation, limited liability limited partnership, or limited liability limited partnership. Click here to read more on the Sunbiz website. We like to put out a gentle reminder for this because there is a wide window to submit your business’ information and pay before May 1st. Failing to do so may result in a $400 late fee. Here at Design Theory, we have this as a recurring calendar item in red and for the whole week to help remind us of this and ensure we take action. It doesn’t take long to perform this, especially if you don’t have many (if any changes) in the information about your business details, location, and managers.

Annual Report Fees

SERVICE

PRICE

Annual Report – Profit Corporation $150.00
Annual Report – Non-Profit Corporation $61.25
Annual Report – Limited Liability Company $138.75
Annual Report – Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Limited Partnership $500.00

 

You may receive letters in the mail or even emails from companies requiring you to pay them to file your Annual Report for your business. Be careful on those because some may charge a fee to file on your behalf. And in this day of phishing and digital fraud, you should do your own research and diligence to ensure the authenticity of any solicitation and its merits. If you’re unsure if your business or organization should be paying or how to pay, be sure to contact a representative with the information below

Florida Department of State
The Centre of Tallahassee
2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810
Tallahassee, FL 32303
850.245.6000
850.245.6014 (fax)
CorpHelp@dos.myflorida.com

 

[ WEBINAR REPLAY ] How to Keep Your Business Relevant During COVID-19

[ WEBINAR REPLAY ] How to Keep Your Business Relevant During COVID-19

Recently I was featured on a webinar with the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida where I presented on How To Keep Your Business Relevant During Covid-19. We’ve been telling our clients during strategy consultations what they’ll need to be doing to keep their brand recognition alive during this time of quarantining and social distancing. Not all businesses are open, and some are but operating with limited products and services. Meanwhile others are taking steps to keep their marketing efforts in tact to be ready for when the marketplaces open back up.

In this webinar I give a bunch of tips, strategy, and resources that you can use right now to create engaging content for your audience and keep relevant during this time.

Special thank you to the AACCCFL for having me as a guest presenter. They’re really doing a great job with featuring various local business professionals as well as elected officials each week answering questions and providing resources for the community here in Orlando and beyond. Be sure to visit their website to see upcoming webinars and resources.

How to Keep Your Business Relevant During COVID-19

How to Keep Your Business Relevant During COVID-19

With everything that’s happening these days of quarantining and social distantancing, conducting normal business can be challenging. Whether you have a brick and mortar establishment, home based, or virtual business, keeping your products and services available in the marketplace during these times are different. This presentation is designed to help show you how you can keep your business relevant during these times with the use of use cases, strategy, resources, and tools. You’d be surprised what your capable of doing once you have the knowledge of what’s out there to help keep your brand awareness going despite traditional forms of business outreach.

The main thing I want to highlight is that during this time, it’s important to keep a consistent and relevant voice to your current and potential clients. There are a lot of bigger companies scaling back their marketing efforts and social media outreach and this creates a void where you as a small business can step in and dominate with your offerings. Also consider what your customers mindset will be once this is all over and how they will have been used to how your business pivoted or supplemented their needs, and once things clear up they’ll still be there with you because of how you helped them through a tough time.

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How a SWOT Analysis Can Help Your Business [FREE DOWNLOAD]

How a SWOT Analysis Can Help Your Business [FREE DOWNLOAD]

If you have a business, you need to have performed a SWOT Analysis. SWOT stands for:

  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses
  • Opportunities
  • Threats

In each of those parts you’ll want to identify as much as you can and try your best to document or illustrate areas for awareness and/or improvement. This is a practice that should probably be done once or twice a year, but have your findings reviewed by leadership and staff on a regular basis. If you’ve never performed this before, download this FREE template that will help you document each part of this analysis. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us!