Patriot June 2011

Summer 2011

C-OC & The BAB s Council OC pany ld Affair The Wor asure of your com he ple Request t r Afternoon Tea fo 011 June 12, 2 y a d n u S - 3:30 PM each.

1:00 PM aB rt, Lagun o s e R e g a Mont

John Miller, Sharon Harroun Peirce & BritWeek Chairman Bob Peirce Surprising really, considering our economy that so recently teetered on the brink, is now mostly flourishing again; once we get our employment figures and real estate market in better shape, we should be firing an all cylinders again. Admittedly the improvement is due to an avalanche of money from the Federal Reserve that helped rescue the financial system from total meltdown and filled the gaping hole left when the biggest credit bubble in history essentially burst. And as the global and local economy recovers, we have no doubt all been refocusing on positioning ourselves for growth and longer term success. This success will surely depend on retaining and growing our customer base as well as reviewing and fine tuning our strategic goals. Like business organizations that have formulated new initiatives, re-defined fiscal and production goals, we have all embraced our 'new normal' and are ready to grasp new opportunities.

In this issue of The Patriot we've asked some members to share strategies and ideas that have enabled them and their clients to survive and thrive. I certainly hope you'll find a useful nugget of information or an idea, an “aha� moment even, that you can use in your own business.

Celebrate the business decisions you make every day that have enabled you to survive and thrive, it's all good, and I believe getting better every day - believing as they say, is the first step in achieving! continued on page 3...

agne, s, Champ m im P , s anape Serving C emonade & Tea ting L n, stimula o ti c u a t n ile test. , music, s st hat con e b Art Show & n o conversati rg .babcoc.o w w w n o Registrati Details &

Inside this issue: Mergers & Acquisitions in the OC OC says goodbye to red, hello green & black Welcome New Members BritWeek 2011 Who's Reading What & Why 12 Investors x $1000 = 20 Years!

Orange Students Turn Limey New Goals for Young Execs 10 Questions to Rev Up Your Networking Event Calendar

The UK: Europe's No.1 business location

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS IN THE OC The Dow is off to its best start since 1999 and the deal environment is poised for a strong M&A market. While the first quarter of 2011 saw a notable decrease in the number of U.S. transactions versus the prior three months, this was expected; the fourth quarter of last year was artificially inflated by a large number of transactions that were fast-tracked to close before the capital gains tax cuts expired (albeit the laws were eventually extended in the eleventh hour).

the downturn and are now well-positioned within their space.

From a seller's perspective, not only have businesses recovered to pre-crisis levels, but multiples have also improved, bringing valuations closer in line with the owners' expectations. In the broader Middle Market, EV/EBITDA multiples increased from 7.3 in 2009 to about 8.8 in 2010 according to Mergerstat.

Despite the decline in the number of transacOn the other side of the equation lies approxiScott Ryder tions, the average transaction size experienced mately $2 trillion looking for investments. a significant increase, more than 90% higher Strategic buyers that have been hoarding cash since the than last quarter, and more than 130% higher than the first downturn have seen a significant improvement in free cash quarter of last year. This signals a return to higher quality flow and are now looking for opportunities to gain a foothold deals that are indicative of a healthy M&A market. in new markets and make acquisitions to accelerate growth.

Parallel to the rest of the country, Orange County experienced Private equity groups will be competing for these targets as a slight drop in the number of transactions, with 38 versus last they look to invest several hundred billion dollars of commitquarter's 47. However, this represents a significant improveted capital before being forced to return the unused portion to ment from last year when we witnessed only 27 in the first their limited partners. quarter. We attribute the improvement over last year to a To top it all off, the credit markets have recently ignited and broad recovery in the markets, led by the strength of Orange banks are starting to offer cheap debt at leverage ratios County's more popular industries: technology and healthcare. reminiscent of pre-crisis days. Lenders relaxed their required The technology sector tends to lead markets during an leverage ratios with current total debt to EBITDA ratios for economic recovery as companies play catch-up with their middle market LBO loans of less than $50 million increasing systems upgrades; meanwhile, the healthcare sector has to 4.3x up from 3.4x in 2010 according to S&P's Leveraged been the beneficiary of recent changes in healthcare legislaLending Review. It appears that all of the crucial elements tion. Seven of Orange County's ten largest deal announceare present for a robust M&A market and we should expect ments over the last year have been within these spaces, to see an increase in activity throughout 2011. including Danaher's acquisition of Brea-based Beckman Article contributed by Scott Ryder, SVP Operations and Coulter and Newport Beach-based Conexant's pending Chief Compliance Officer, McGladrey Capital Markets LLC buyout by Golden Gate Private Equity. We expect these Email: scott.ryder@mcgladrey.com Web site: sectors to lead the pack as industry consolidation creates an www.mcgladreycm.com elevated level of demand for strong companies that survived ...continued from cover

For our new readers, the BABC OC is a unique and diverse group of professionals unlike most other groups in Orange County, with varying levels of membership from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial individuals. The purpose of our uniquely wide ranging events is to support and foster one another, to do some great networking and relationship building‌.and to have fun!

So check out our calendar of events on the back page, or our web site www.babcoc.org; we have some really good ones coming up, and I sincerely look forward to seeing you there.

John Miller 2011 BABC OC President & Broker Associate, Prudential California　 Realty Phone: 949-735-3093 jsmiller@pruoc.com

! u o Y k n Tha The BABC-OC wishes to acknowledge with thanks the contribution made by Allergan to the success of the Patriot and the BABC-OC. Allergan's continued support and participation is most sincerely appreciated.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”

William Arthur Ward Our knowledgable professionals have the expertise to identify growth opportunities in this complex business landscape and execute a well designed game plan.

Let McGladrey Capital Markets navigate your company though these uncertain, yet promising times.

Mergers Acquisitions Divestitures Capital raising Fairness Opinions Recapitalizations Restructurings Costa Mesa | Chicago | London 888.543.0711

www.mcgladeycm.com

Member FINRA. ©2011 McGladrey Capital Markets LLC

OC SAYS GOODBYE TO RED, AND HELLO TO GREEN AND BLACK...

The OC Spring Here in the OC we＇ ve recently enjoyed some balmy days and the sense that Spring has sprung and with it a new sense of hope as trees， flowers and dare we say it， Orange County＇ s moribund economy finally shows some fresh signs of life and it would seem that a recent report from Chapman University's A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research bears out that premise．

our budget”. Their cost effective 'guerilla' marketing is based on the use of free interns who earn school credit while posting and passing flyers on campus to other students.

“You can't look at what was, you have to look at things differently” said Joey Benedretti, CEO and President of Syspro USA a privately held company which provides custom software to 14,500 companies in 60 countries. Joey credits their continued success on their ability to focus on core competencies and to not only have the right people in The county's Composite Index, which is made up of production, place, but to empower them to leverage opportunities and employment, new orders, inventories of purchased materials, apply change management when needed. “You have to commodity prices and supplier deliveries shows a promising defend your customer base” stated Joey “and make sure you uptick. The index read 65.3 for the second quarter, up from 61 have the right customers – someone who pays you!” Joey is in the first quarter． Statewide， the measure rose to 62.2, up strong advocate for seeking out creative uses for technology from 59.7 in the first quarter， which marks the highest level in and innovation. Syspro develops software solutions that not five years． The readings point to a faster rate of expansion in only enable businesses to attain new levels of efficiency, but the period compared to the previous quarter (a measure over to facilitate green practices. Joey proudly noted that in 50 signals growth). helping one of their customers to leverage green technologies in the way they handled waste disposal, they not only helped Locally, new orders, employment, commodity prices and the customer to 'go green' but a product that was formerly inventories of purchased materials are expected to show higher simply discarded as waste, is now reclaimed and 10% of its growth rates in the second quarter over the first； but the value is given back to the company. To be successful says production index “decreased marginally” to 68, down from 68.9 Joey “You have to invest in quality people - no matter what in the first quarter． Orange County＇ s business and economic the market, retain the right customers and procure strong climate suffered under the weight of the economic recession， relationships.” but factors such as international trade and visitor spending are emerging as bright spots moving forward． Don't tell Realtor Stacy McCullough of Prudential California Realty that the market stinks, she's busier than ever.

In another report, the ranking of Orange County's business According to Stacy the secret to her success is keeping in climate "rebounded" last year, based on a report, which uses contact with her 'warm' sphere of influence – her family, Forbes magazine’s ’2010 Best Places for Business’ for the friends and past clients. By utilizing Facebook and LinkedIn measure． Orange County landed at No. 79 out of the 200 Stacy says “everyone knows I'm still around and still working”. metropolitan areas ranked on the 2010 list, up 28 places from Stacy posts and blogs several times a week – usually items of the previous year (its peak was at 27 in 2005). While Orange interest, or tips of interest to homeowners, buyers and sellers.

County ranks well in crime rate， culture and leisure， educational “A friend I hadn't seen in over two years contacted me by attainment， and projected economic and income growth； it Facebook and within months we had closed a real estate ranked poorly in the cost of doing business， cost of living and transaction together” she noted. job growth． According to publican Simon Collier, The Olde Ship British Pub and Restaurant has managed to keep the regulars Here’s how some BABC OC member businesses fared coming in while introducing new patrons to the pub by way of joint alliances and events with local community groups. The We asked them how they survived the OC economy that was pub is the OC viewing venue for The Los Angeles Galaxy, so badly dragged down by the lead shoes of a freaked-out an American professional soccer club, based in Los Angeles, consumer, a punk housing market and weak employment and The Olde Ship Santa Ana is also a route stop for The opportunity.

Swagger Club a Futbol networking group whose bus makes For some businesses the tough economy actually helped their the pub a regular stop on their way from San Diego to LA business – case in point www.stingycampus.com. Stingy Galaxy home games. “Our 2nd Annual Blues Festival on May Campus is an online marketplace that allows users to buy and 15th featuring a local high school jazz band is a win-win for all sell items, look for housing, search for jobs. Although its main because helps the local youth, and gives us recognition in the focus is as a practical resource for students, it also appeals to community,” said Simon. non-student users and anyone who likes or needs to save money. According to co-founder Solomon Tesfaye starting up a If you have embraced green to keep your Orange County new business in tough economy meant that they had to be especially flexible and lean to adjust to market conditions. “Our company out of the red, or you've enacted strategies that helped keep your bottom line in the black - please share your business plan is a 'live' document that is constantly under strategies of success with Patriot Editor Deb Shrider (714) review” says Solomon who notes that “all our expenses are 990-6619 debshrider@yahoo.com. reviewed by outsiders to facilitate a totally unbiased review of

Welcome New Please say hello to these new yourself to them the next time Alan Parker, Owner - Parker Finishing.

310-399-4421 Email： Alpaint@aol.com Contact Parker Finishing for all aspects of residential and commercial interior or exterior painting, as well as diverse range of wall coverings and professionally applied faux finishes.

Claudia Parker, Parker Law Group, Inc. 949-916-9910 Email： cparker@parkerlawgroup.com URL： www.parkerlawgroup.com Claudia Parker, Esq. is the President and founder of the Parker Law Group, Inc., made up of former big firm transactional lawyers covering general business, real estate, finance and technology law. They represent publicly traded, privately held and non-profit US and international clients.

Larry Perfetto, California Bank & Trust.

949-361-6831 Email: larry.perfetto@calbt.com URL： www.calbanktrust.com Larry Perfetto serves as a Business Banking Manager for Orange County for California Bank & Trust (CB&T) one of the leading banks in California with over $11 billion in assets． Branch offices are located throughout the state．

Joseph Grillo, AMBRIT Int’l Services (AIS).

310-266-4186 Email： jgrillo@ambritintl.com URL： www.ambritintl.com American ingenuity combined with British Intelligence, AMBRIT International provides legally sound investigations and security consultation worldwide.

Their impartial and cohesive team is trained to report upon, collect, train, and react to a variety of workplace issues and security breaches globally.

Jim Hart, Littler Mendelson.

949-705-3003

Email: JHart@littler.com www.littler.com

Jim Hart, Esq. exclusively represents and counsels public and private sector employers in a wide range of employment and labor matters with an emphasis on defending companies in complex wage and hour class actions and wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and retaliation lawsuits.

Arthur Knowlson, Jr., Law Firm - Case， Knowlson LLP. 949-729-0700 Email： aknowlson@cklawllp.com www.caseknowlsonllp.com Arthur Knowlson, Jr., Esq. is a partner of the law firm Case, Knowlson LLP. The firm specializes in corporate transactions, US and international taxation, estate planning and probate． Besides California， Art is licensed to practice law in England， Wales and the British Virgin Islands.

Michael Shipman, IllumiNations.

949-923-8771 Email： illuminationsusa@cox.net Michael Shipman is the President/CEO Founder of illuminated keyboards and IllumiNations licenses illuminated technologies to major computer manufacturers.

Members!

BABC-OC members and introduce you see them at a mixer or event.

Rick Quinlivan, Esq., Tredway, Lumsdaine & Doyle.

949-756-0684 Email: pquinlivan@tldlaw.com

www.ltdlaw.com Rick Quinlivan's trial and litigation experience for more than 35 years includes matters involving personal injury, property damage, business and commercial disputes, employment matters, and trust disputes. Additionally he handles business formation, contracts, succession planning, asset and stock sales, and general business counseling for small to medium sized businesses.

Ralph Liu, President/CEO InvestorsAlly, Inc. 949-371-9139 Email：

ralph.liu@investorsally.com URL： http://www.InvestorsAlly.com InvestorsAlly provides matching services to aspiring homeowners and prospective property investors for a new creative and innovative housing ownership structure called Flexible And Reversible Joint Home Ownership (FARJHO).

Roberta Ruddy, Royal Bank of Canada.

646-241-4006 Email：

roberta.ruddy@rbc.com The Royal Bank of Canada serves private clients, as well as corporate and institutional clients, with a broad array of financial products, services and multi-jurisdictional offerings from office locations that span the globe.

Roger Sanderson, President/CEO of International Cargo West.

562-495-4855 www.intlcargowest.com Email： Roger@intlcargowest.com Roger Sanderson is a fully licensed freight forwarder with over 49 years of experience in the multi-modal freight industry.

He employs a global network of agents and partners throughout Asia Pacific, the UK/Europe, Middle East， and Indian sub－ continent providing import and export solutions for small to medium sized businesses.

Akary Busto, Head of Corporate Account Management， Lloyds TSB International.

213－ 443－ 4097 abusto@LloydsTSB-USA.com www.LloydsTSB-Offshore.com Lloyds TSB International helps companies within the United States create a unique expatriate package for their American employees who are relocating to the UK and Europe， or UK and European employees relocating to the United States．

Paul David Walker, Founder & CEO Genius Stone Partners.

562－ 233－ 7861 Email: pauldavidwalker@geniusstone.com www. geniusstone.com As a strategic business partner with over 25 years of experience, Paul David Walker helps to develop insight driven leaders. He provides business plan and sales strategies, brand development, product launch, marketing and team coaching that fuels both company and leadership growth.

Glen Carnes, Portfolio Manager, TYRON I CARNES Private Wealth Management.

949-336-8345 glen.carnes@lpl.com As an experienced financial consultant Glen helps clients with managed asset plans, investment portfolio analysis, investment & portfolio management, as well as college & insurance planning.

If you know of a potential BABC-OC member – please contact Valerie Blackholly and she'll be happy to follow up. valerie@babcoc.org (949) 472-2221.

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW: The Patriot asked the BABC OC Board of Directors “What are you reading these days & what are your favorite 'go-to' business resource sites? “ Scott Ryder, SVP Operations and Chief Compliance Officer, McGladrey Capital Markets LLC. My favorite 'go to' business website is www.wsj.com I just finished reading “Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System---and Themselves” by Andrew Sorkin and my favorite 'dog-eared' book is “Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything” by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner.

Josh Teeple, Forensic Services Market Lead - Orange County Crowe Horwath LLP Favorite website: www.goingconcern.com This business site is a wealth of information, directed specifically to Accountants and CFOs. My current favorite is Conscious Business by Fred Kofman. This book focuses on the nature of human interactions and self in a business context.

Dr John R. Gibson President & CEO Jangus Music, Inc Favorite website is www.octaneoc.org provides value well beyond the obvious.

Favorite read is the OC Business Journal – content is very relevant to Orange County both on a business and social perspective.

I also read the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine and the British Medical Journal – both publications address the world of medicine scientifically, but also address the human and philosophical aspects of medicine. “Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely, challenges readers' assumptions about making decisions based on rational thought and has been highly recommended, it is the next book I plan to read.

John Kuykendall, President Benefit Solutions

Paul Jenkinson, Vice President Global Commercial & Corporate Finance, Allergan Inc. I may be cheating here, but my favorite business web site is The Economist on my IPad. I have been reading The Economist for almost 40 years and still immensely enjoy it. From a business viewpoint, the site provides insights that help me in my global role. But much more than that, I find its broad approach, uniquely written pros, strongly opinionated editorials and the eccentric obituaries on some strange or unheard of person a wonderfully refreshing approach and indeed, something to look forward to each week. The Christmas edition is particularly interesting but often not because of business information – I still recall with delight an article, many years ago now, on John Harrison who invented the marine chronometer that finally unraveled the secret of longitude. (And The Economist must also rate as one of Britain's most successful exports to the United States.)

My favorite business book? “I Claudius” by Peter Graves.

Again I am caught cheating, but let's not slow down when I am on a roll. It is a wonderfully refreshing reminder of how corporate politics work and although based on the life and times of a Roman Emperor, “I Claudius” is transferrable to modern business life as it would appear some aspects of human nature never change but, perhaps these days, the severe consequences for failure are not so drastic.

Darlene McGrath, UK Trade & Investment Business Development Associate A site which I find really useful in my 'line of business' is www.hoovers.com. The next book on my reading list is “New Ideas from Dead CEOs” (I know - awful title!) - but apparently it uncovers the secrets of success of great CEOs by giving readers an insight in the professional and personal lives of CEOs such as Walt Disney, Estee Lauder, and Sam Walton to name a few.

Sarah Agee, Founder/President

My favorite business book is Talking Straight Sterling Search Inc.

by Lee Iacocca, the fearless business innovator who invented the Ford Mustang My go-to business resource web site is and created the muscle car genre, then went www.linkedin.com it’s a great recruiting on to save Chrysler. My current favorite tool for me. I like the book SPIN business web site is the Kaiser Family Situation, Problem, Implication, NeedFoundation (different from the Kaiser Health Plan), which payoff, by research psychologist Neil provides complete, unbiased information about the sweeping Rackham – it tackles selling and sales, new Obamacare legislation. Their web address is www.kff.org but is really a book about success and how to get there.

'ORANGE' STUDENTS TURN 'LIMEY' FOR TWO WEEKS! Orange County High School of the Arts senior Cora Riley and Alexander Hernandez from Corona Del Mar High School were the delighted recipients of the OC Student Scholarship Program. For acing the essay topic 'Why Valerie Blackholly, Cora Riley, do I want a trip to the UK' Alexander Hernandez & John Miller the girls won an all inclusive trip to England where they will attend the ACS International School - British Studies Summer Program in Cobham. Established in 1996 this program was created to explore the enduring impact of British culture. They will study European history, English literature, art and theatre laying the foundation for a lifelong understanding and appreciation of the lasting impact of British Culture. What are they most excited to see and experience? “Anything Shakespeare” says Cora a self avowed Shakespeare lover and acting major. Alexander has a dream of being a photographer for National Geographic and the London Eye is top of her 'must- see' list.

The BABC OC Student Scholarship Program is ongoing. It is supported by a variety of fundraising events held by the business chamber throughout the year for more information contact BABC OC Executive Director Valerie Blackholly.

Valerie@babcoc.org

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12 investors x $1000 = 20 years Ha, I bet the title made you think you' d be reading some scandalous news of a local financial disgrace, with the perps thrown into jail to do some hard time. No, this is a story about a small group of people who weren' t afraid to take a chance to juiceup a new start-up in the OC 20 years ago.

Today we tip our hat to the BABC OC' s founders and say thanks as we celebrate the anniversary of the BABC OC' s 20th year.

The BABC OC was born out of discussions in 1990 with the then Consul General,Reg Holloway and several board members of the British American Chamber of Commerce (BACC)Los Angeles.

Traffic challenges thwarted endeavors to encourage participation at BACC events from Orange County locals.

Guinness • Murphy's • Murphy’s Red • London Pride • Abbott Ale •

Voted Best Neighborhood Pub

Over 20 Beers on Tap 20 Plus Single Malts Big Screen Premier League Soccer (Santa Ana Only)

“You'll be a Stranger Here but Once!”

LIVE MUSIC Thursday, Friday, & Saturday Nights 8 - 11:30 pm (Santa Ana Only) www.theoldeship.com Join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter 1120 W. 17th St., Santa Ana CA 92706 714.550.6700 709 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton CA 92832 714.871.7447 Emai l: admi ralnel son@t heo ldes hip.com

• Harp • Bombardier • Old Speckled Hen • Magners •

• Stella Artois • Fullers ESB • Smithwicks • Belhaven Scottish Stout • Spaten

However, towards the end 1990 the ' Festival of Britain' trade fair hosted at South Coast Plaza by From the archives...Pictured at a past BABC OC event are: Valerie the Consul General' s Office,created a stir of Blackholly, Richard Branson, Gordon Tippell, Jim Hinch and Dennis Chant. interest amongst the British community in Orange County.Taking advantage of this interest,Gordon Tippell,Chairman of Taylor,Woodrow Homes, Orange County start the BACC including staunch supporters Jim Hinch and got the ball rolling and invited about twenty people to a meeting Dennis Chant. Valerie Blackholly was hired in the Fall of 1991 and continues to serve as Executive Director, the BABC to discuss forming an Orange County Chapter of the British s only paid staff position.

American Chamber of Commerce.At that meeting twelve future OC' members formed a committee and contributed $1000 each to Under her exemplary guidance and with the help of many capable volunteers and strong leadership from a dedicated and diverse Board of Directors,the BABC OC has grown in Bass • Blackthorn • Belhaven • Boddingtons • Newcastle strength and status. It continues to enjoy member participation in a wide array of volunteer positions, committees and philanthropic enterprises.

- OC Weekly “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,”said Margaret Mead,and indeed it would seem that a small group of Orange County residents - 12 to be exact,may not have changed the world,but definitely had an impact on the OC business community.Congratulations BABC OC - 20 great years and still growing strong!

Check out today' s BABC OC at www.babcoc.org and www.facebook.com/babcoc.

Executive Editor: Josh Teeple, Crowe Horwath LLP. (714) 668-1234 josh.teeple@crowehorwath.com Managing Editor/Contributing Writer: Debra Shrider.

(714) 990-6619 debshrider@yahoo.com Art Director: Kenneth Slidders.

(714) 779-5451 kkssaa@roadrunner.com Advertising: Valerie Blackholly, BABC-OC. (949) 472-2221 valerie@babcoc.org

Young Execs Shoot for New Goals

Encouraging these young go-getters to become active BABC OC members will not only invigorate the overall BABC membership, but is sure to provide a terrific pool of involved members to fulfill future leadership positions of the BABC OC. Say hello to the YE at the next BABC event you attend, but be warned…their energy and passion is contagious!

After successfully kick-starting the BABC OC's Young Executives (YE) network these past two years, Andrew Kuykendall has passed the ball to Josh Teeple at the start of a Contact: josh.teeple@crowehorwath.com for additional new season. The YEs' most successful event last year was information. centered on the World Cup soccer match between the USA and England, hosted at the Costa Mesa Hilton and Josh is hoping for a similar cross border event to occur so they can repeat the fervent turnout again.

In the meantime, Josh and his team of young executives are refining their popular mentor lunch series to an evening social cocktail event with featured guests. Other plans call for a summer pool side BBQ and a gala dinner that will be open to YE members only.

The YE group is a sub-chapter of the BABC OC intended to generate involvement of younger members who are positioned to be future leaders. Noted Josh, “Our events are designed to provide members with opportunities to meet like-minded people as well as top executives and to connect with them in a meaningful way. I and my executive team plan to take the group to the next level by offering more opportunities for networking and development and by aggressively growing membership.”

Challenges for the group beside membership growth, are to expand the group's name recognition and marketing footprint.

Josh and his team will be reaching out to the BABC constituency to help in this regard.

Car Show itish

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10 New Questions To Rev Up Your Networking

We all know the value of networking and eagerly turn up at mixers and events with our game face on and a pocket full of business cards, and then we trot out the same tired and boring questions...”What do you do? “Tell me about your company”, and “How long have you been with insert company name here” blah, blah, blah.... these typical openers get the usual answers． Next time you have the opportunity to network why not try some new conversation starters instead: 1. “What business problem does your company solve?”

2. “What is the best example you have of how you are doing that?”

3. “What has been the biggest win for you/your company in the last six months?”

4. “What do you think it will be in the next six months?”

5. “What is the most interesting enterprise you have planned at your company this year?”

6. “How will that change your company the most?”

7. “What best practices do you use to market your business?”

8. “Who is your competition in the OC area?”

9. “Is your company's focus business-to-business, or consumer directed?”

10. “What would you identify as your company's core competencies?”

What other thought provoking questions could you use to get your networking dialogue out of the doldrums? And, don＇ t forget ask the most important question of all....”That’s impressive， is there some way I can help you?”

Tod Myerscough, Financial Advisor (949) 859-2945 24422 Avenida de la Carlota Suite 400 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and ser vices of fered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

© 2011 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

May Lose value

easy

.com

Your Portal to Orange County

With sincere appreciation we'd like to acknowledge Quattro CaffĂŠ, the Pacific Symphony, South Coast Plaza, Corona Del Mar High School Music Department, and Cinderella Cakes for their support and contributions to the BABC OC Royal Wedding Reception held April 30th.

For photos of BritWeek and other events check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/babcoc

Scheduled Events as of June 2011 This is just a sneak peek at some of our upcoming events.

Date:

Event:

Venue:

May 25

Business After Hours

Shady Canyon

June 12

Garden Party

Montage Resort

June 22

Business After Hours –Art A Fair

Laguna Beach

July 28

International After Hours Mixer

Newport Beach Country Club

Dec 9

Annual Christmas Lunch

Hilton Costa Mesa

Visit www.babcoc.org regularly to view our updated calendar and to register for events and pay online, or contact Valerie Blackholly, Executive Director. Phone (949) 472-2221 e-mail: valerie@babcoc.org