Featured Blog Posts (30)

IMC NorCal Announces New Time Tracking & Invoicing Partnership

IMC NorCal is working to help you manage your consulting practice, and has entered into a relationship with Freshbooks, to provide IMC members with a discounted plan.

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Added by Brett LaDove on January 14, 2010 at 5:07pm — No Comments

Confab 2010

The Confab committee is already hard at work planning the 2010 conference which will be in Reno, NV once again, at the Silver Legacy. Based on feedback and brainstorming, many new things will be offered this year at Confab. Too keep pace with the committee please join us on our Facebook page by following this link http://bit.ly/8HcUCX. Happy New Year! Continue

Added by Alice Heiman on December 31, 2009 at 12:14pm — No Comments

Share Your Presentations on NorCal Consultant's Network

We're testing out a new feature on the NorCal Consultants Network (NCCN). Click on the "Presentation Share" tab and upload a presentation (either via Google Docs or Powerpoint). By uploading a business overview or a presentation on another topic, we'll have one more vehicle for understanding our fellow consultant's businesses. Please do let me know what you think of this feature by commenting on this blog post. Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on December 1, 2009 at 4:46pm — No Comments

Follow IMC NorCal on Twitter and Facebook

In this brave new world of social media....it makes good sense for brands of all types to be represented on a variety of social media channels. Also, some people prefer one channel to another, so IMC NorCal wants to be represented where people want to interact with us. If you're so inclined, please feel free to follow us on Twitter, or join our Facebook group.

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Added by Brett LaDove on October 15, 2009 at 3:37pm — No Comments

Alan Weiss Named Fellow of IMC USA

The Institute of Management Consultants, USA, has awarded international author and Certified Management Consultant Alan Weiss, CMC, PhD, with its prestigious Fellow of IMC USA (FIMC) for distinguished service. “Alan’s contributions to the ethics and professional performance of management consulting are recognized globally,” said Drumm McNaughton, Chairman of IMC USA. “Not only has Alan been recognized for outstanding service to his clients world-wide, he has fostered professionalism in the indu… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on August 26, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

IMC USA In the News

[Re-posted from IMC email newsletter.]

Major efforts have been underway to bring more visibility to IMC as the professional organization for management consultants and to increase awareness of the CMC. Thanks to Bette Price, the Communications and PR Chair and Gayle Carson, Vice Chair of Marketing, PR, and Communicati… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on April 16, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

IMC NorCal Hashtag... #imcnorcal

What are Hashtags you say? Twitter, while still often considered a nascent social media channel is becoming increasingly popular and useful as a business tool. One function used with Twitter is the "Hashtag". In the definition pulled directly from www.ha… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on March 13, 2009 at 2:30pm — 2 Comments

Have you personally invited another consultant/industry expert to join lately?

Have you personally invited another consultant/industry expert to join lately? Just another way to say 'Thank you' to them by giving them exposure and at the same time advancing our network - win-win. I have met so many quality people through this network. Surrounding yourself with people that support you in a positive manner and being able to share ideas and tools is invaluable, especially when you are going it alone. Have you set a personal goal to invite people? Not for the sake of invitin… Continue

Added by Bart Gragg on March 9, 2009 at 10:30pm — 3 Comments

NorCal Consultant's Network on MSNBC

The NorCal Consultant's Network, and a blog post by Ahmet Alpdemir, were mentioned in an article on MSNBC yesterday. I hope this is just the beginning.... So what lessons… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on February 13, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

How easily can you set up group meetings?

In my case…only with one click!

Yes, it is possible with Timebridge (and I do use Outlook). I downloaded the little app from Timebridge for free, and now it looks up my available times, presents to me a pleasant easy-to-use interface where I can invite people for a phone call or a meeting on my available times (or when I would like to have the meeting).

The recipients don’t need to download any software to indicate their most preferred… Continue

Added by Ahmet Alpdemir on January 17, 2009 at 9:34am — 3 Comments

How do you map your mind?

What tools are you using to sort through complex concepts, map what you have in mind or brainstorm with your clients?

I have been using Mindjet’s MindManager. It has evolved being an indispensable tool for me. With the latest version Mindjet added online group collaboration as well. For those of you who are not familiar with mind-mapping software, I can say that it is a powerful visual outlining tool combined with project management and presenta

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Added by Ahmet Alpdemir on January 17, 2009 at 9:31am — 3 Comments

IMC 2009 Kickoff Program a Big Success

Ok, I realize that as the President of IMC NorCal that it seems obvious that I'm going to claim that Saturday's program "Make 2009 the Best Year Yet" was a big success. Let me then, just say how proud I am that ov… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on January 12, 2009 at 7:00pm — 1 Comment

Hot Trends for Bay Area Consultants in 2009

On November 17, 2008 the IMC NorCal chapter held a dynamic and thought-provoking membership meeting. In all the gloom and doom, there are some bright spots for consultants. A panel of experts in high tech, biotech and philanthropy spoke about consulti… Continue

Added by Barbara Chan on November 18, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Web 2.0 Breakout Session at January 10th IMC Program

I hope you can make it to IMC's January 10th program "Make 2009 the Best Yet!". I'll be leading the workshop on Web 2.0. Here's the official description: "Like many buzz words that enter the business vernacular, the definition of Web 2.0 still tends to vary by who is talking about it. In this workshop segment, IMC NorCal President, Brett LaDove will provide an overview to the various commponents t… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on December 4, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Jan. 10 Workshop is coming together to be a REAL winner!

We've recruited great facilitators who have agreed to lead one of the breakout sessions on Saturday, Jan. 10 - 8AM-12:30PM. You will not want to miss this meeting! I'll be posting updates each week but here is one to tempt you to register as soon as the registration process opens. (Next week) Why is this important? Because it is going to be first come, first in to the breakout of your choice. (Check out Brett's blog post too!) Al Peterson is going to lead a session titled: Partnerin… Continue

Added by Rogene Baxter on December 4, 2008 at 12:32pm — 2 Comments

What Are You Reading?

People have been asking what I'm reading these days. In the midst of all the local and global challenges, there is much opportunity for resourceful, creative, innovative, forward-thinking people. Here are just 5 of the books in my current Reading Stack.

Get There Early by Bob… Continue

Added by Barbara Chan on November 25, 2008 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Ahmet Alpdemir joins IMC NorCal Board of Directors

Ahmet Alpdemir has joined the IMC NorCal Board of Directors filling the role of Sponsorship Director. Ahmet brings a wealth of marketing, business development, and entrepreneurial experience to bear on helping IMC develop a top notch sponsorship program. Check out Ahmet's profile on this site to learn more about Ahmet and his consulting practice Shimdi Venture Advisors.

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Added by Brett LaDove on November 12, 2008 at 3:14pm — No Comments

IMC Membership Promotion….Act Now!

You can start enjoying 2009 benefits today. Join IMC now, and you'll get the rest of 2008 free -- plus we'll waive the $50 administration fee. Act now and your new membership is good through December 2009. That's 15 months of IMC membership for only $295 (that's a $120 savings).… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on October 15, 2008 at 7:14pm — No Comments

"Giving Advice in Adversity" by the Economist

The Economist magazine in it's September 25th 2008 edition starts out referencing a McKinsey study, and states "WHEN even consultants suggest that companies might want to spend less on consultancy, you know the industry is in for a difficult time." While the consulting i… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on October 9, 2008 at 9:10am — No Comments

One More Reason to Blog on the NorCal Consultant's Network....Widgets!

Sure, sharing your wisdom with other members of the NorCal Consultant's Network is great, but don't you wish your consulting musings could help you get known more broadly? Well, now they can! (You knew I was going to say that didn't you?). Now you, and any number of other interested parties, can quickly add the NorCal Consultant's Network Blog Widget to their own website or blog. Sure, it was already possible to set up an RSS feed, but this little applet may be even more appealing for someone to… Continue

Added by Brett LaDove on September 22, 2008 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment