Ultimate Driving Experience!

I have to share a great experience I had this weekend. Being a former BMW owner, and current enthusiast, I was invited to take part in BMW's "The Ultimate Driving Experience." I got to drive the all new BMW X5 (the V8 of course) on a closed track with a professional driver next to me coaching me on how to properly handle the turns and curves. Even better yet, BMW wanted us to compare other vehicles, so I also got to drive the Mercedes ML500 (not quite a BMW, but still a lot of fun!), the Volvo XC90 and the Lexus LX470 (the definite dog of the group). Including instruction, information on the vehicles and drive time, it was a good two hours; well worth my time on a Saturday!

As if that wasn't enough, the event was held in conjunction with a charity fundraiser that I had also participated in last year. The event was the Ultimate Drive® for Susan G. Komen for the Cure event. The event is a partnership between BMW and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For every mile that I drove one of the available BMWs, BMW gave one dollar in my name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. According to BMW's website, "Since the program’s inception in 1997, the event has raised over $10 million dollars for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs."

The fifteen mile course was in Denver and included highway and street driving. I got to drive a Z4, 335i, 550i, 650i Convertible, x3, x5 and 750i! If you are interested in learning about any of the models, I recommend checking out Edmunds.com; it is a great site with fantastic information on cars.

To learn more or register for either of the events, follow the links above; you will be able to see when they come to your area and how to register.

Not very business related today, but the awareness for today is to remember and enjoy yourself, I sure did this weekend!

~Paul

Just for Fun

I am a sucker for a good promotion. This one sounded easy, so I have to enter. John Chow dot Com, a blog that helps you make money on the Internet, is giving away a Microsoft Zune. To enter, all you have to do is write about it. This is my entry. Now give me my Zune!

E-Mail Enticement

Today's post is adapted from an e-mail that I sent to a client this morning who is looking for equity investors for his business. I have sent him interested parties and then it is his turn to respond to them with more information on his investment opportunity.

It is not reprinted verbatim, but rather I took the main points to share with my readers.

I have some tips I would like to share for when you respond to potential investors. I believe professionalism is quite important. When communication is carried out over e-mail, there is not the opportunity to wear a suit and portray one’s self as professional; instead it is shown through our writings.

Your first e-mail to a potential investor is important; this is their first impression of you. Part of what they are considering investing in (a major part) is you. Thank them for their interest, welcome any questions, provide your contact information in addition to your signature block, give them a bit more of the story, ask what they are looking for, ask what else you could provide for them, check the spelling in your e-mail and the subject line, etc.

I believe if you provide a good presentation in your e-mail, it will entice potential investors more than a “here is the information, do with it as you want” approach.

The awareness for today is to think about how you portray yourself in person and in written communication.
~Paul

Networking Ice Breaker

I was thinking back about how difficult it can be for some of us to network. Some of us are naturally shy and would prefer to be approached rather than have to approach someone else.

I just wanted to share a fantastic ice-breaker to use when you want to speak to someone at your next networking event. It is an easy in, giving you a great opportunity to follow up with any topic you would like.

Remember that everyone, including you, is there to network and make new connections.

Are you ready? Here is the ice-breaker:




"Hi, my name is [your name]." It is really that simple.
~Paul