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2016

PRIME 2016 Revisited

Twinkle lights on the patio and unusually warm weather created the ideal backdrop for cocktails and conversation with good friends.   I have always enjoyed the Rainmakers tradition of having an organization-wide celebratory event – some call it a party. Given that we host many monthly events, you’d think we’d grow tired of yet another […]

How to Survive a Job Change

A shake up in your employment situation like getting laid off, changing companies or switching careers can be a stressful and scary event. So many questions surface. What are you going to do next? Where do you begin to find a new job? Is this even the field you want to work in? How are […]

Top 5 Factors in Selecting a Partnership

No matter the size of your business nor the scope of your industry, you can’t do it all by yourself. We all need help to find success. We all benefit from the advice, support and feedback of others. That’s why partnerships are essential to any business. But how do you go about building a strategic […]

Writing a Manifesto

Manifesto (manəˈfestō) noun: a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of an individual, group, or political party. “…Or political party.” Eeeek. No politics here. We have enough of that going on in the news. But, it is true, when I hear the word “manifesto” I do traditionally think of politicians, thought leaders, […]

What Drives You?

As I was sitting in a coffee shop today meeting with a lovely new connection, she stopped me mid-sentence to ask, “What drives you?” Feeling rather dumbfounded for a minute, I’m sure my facial expression gave my surprise away. She explained that she was inspired by the energy I had towards all that I was sharing […]

Business Blaze Revisited: Abdul-Hakim Shabazz Video

Last month we relaunched Business Blaze with guest speaker Abdul-Hakim Shabazz. His discussion and Q&A session on the 2016 election and Indiana politics was insightful, candid and timely. In case you missed it, here is the full live video with a map to discussion highlights.   Video Map: 4:55 – Introduction of Stephan Kirk, Blaze […]

Leveraging Your Rainmakers Membership

Thanks to all of you who took the time to share feedback on our recent member survey. We asked the question “Why are you a Rainmakers Member?” and we received a variety of great responses. Reading the responses prompted me to write this blog post so that I might share some new ideas that you can leverage […]

Financial Adulting 101

Every generation is given a title: the greatest generation for our grandparents, the Baby Boomers; and the slacker generation for the Gen-Xers. Millennials have been given many titles, but the one that strikes me the most is the Boomerang Generation. The generation that finds themselves living back home with their parents all too often. Is […]

Write the Perfect B2B Cold Email

My friend is in a business development role at a marketing agency across town; she hates her life with a passion. She spends her entire day on the phone cold calling people. These people want no part of talking to my friend on the phone. I hate talking on the phone, so this is something […]

3 Easy Ways to Be Visible on LinkedIn

We host in-person networking events, because we believe that over time they create long lasting connections both personally and professionally. Realistically, though, you can’t physically be at every networking event. Enter social media: LinkedIn connects you with people when you can’t connect in person. Here are 3 ways to stay top-of-mind on LinkedIn. Share an Update: As […]