NETWORK NIGHT CLUB BSB BLOG 2

When looking to start a new business it is important to find your niche. Once you've realized what your going to do, who is going to use it, and how you are going to deliver it, you can beging to build a professional network. The main way to do this is by finding a trade or professional association based around your industry. 


I am looking into opening up a nightclub in downtown Orlando called NETWORK. I began to research possible suitors for a professional network. I stumbled upon the Florida Restaurant and Lodging association.

From their website:

"The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is among the most influential trade associations in Florida. The association was established in 1946 to represent the restaurant industry. Since that time, the scope of FRLA’s representation has expanded to include the entire hospitality industry including lodging establishments, restaurants and thousands of suppliers to the industry. The association counts among its members some of the largest businesses in each of these categories."

You can read the full article here

The organization has a division dealing with nightclubs, including those who don't serve food. From researching their site I discovered that the FRLA represents:

• A 57 Billion dollar industry.
• 20% of Florida's entire economy
• 3.4 Billion dollars in sales tax revenue
• More than 900,000 employees (Florida's Largest)

It goes on to say that members of the FRLA average 2-4 times higher profit margins than non-members. From those statistics it is easy to see why I would want to align myself with the FRLA Orlando chapter. Luckily they have a Join Now section of their website. It has a printable application that you can mail to their home office.

I Checked the Central Florida Chapter's site and found that:

"The Central Florida Chapter of the FRLA hosts a monthly networking dinner on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month. Registration opens at 6:30 p.m. with dinner starting at 7:30 p.m. The monthly dinners are an excellent networking opportunity to meet and greet the area’s top hospitality professionals. "

Once a member I will attend the monthly dinners to begin networking and building my professional circle. This will help me build my brand, team with successful venues, promote events, and meet possible business partners.

Business Storytelling with J.J. Abrams

I recently discovered the website for TED. TED is a conference where the biggest and brightest thinkers in Technology, Entertainment, and Design come together. They have their own opportunity to give an 18-minute presentation about anything they want to share. Many of the speakers use this time to tell the audience what is their main inspiration for success. They hope to share their stories and inspire others to explore, create, and believe. The main tagline for TED's brand is "Ideas Worth Spreading."

I took some time to watch some of the TED videos and got a great chance to listen to the message of some of the people who inspire me. The first video I watched was the presentation by J.J. Abrams. Abrams is a television and film producer, director, and writer. His claims to fame include LOST, Fringe, Cloverfield, Star Trek (2010), and Mission:Impossible 3.

Abrams was an amazing public speaker. He has mastered the art of storytelling and selling himself. He uses humor at the right times while also being sincere. This talent helps the audience connect with him and helps build trust. After the first few moments of the video I was hooked in. The main concept of his story was the "Mystery Box." He brought out a a big box with a question mark on it and shared the story of how he came to possess it. The box represents not only his grandfathers positive influence, but the power of mystery. Abrams is the modern-master of mystery and science-fiction. The box is a metaphor for how he creates content. He feels that what is witheld from the audience is more interesting that what is right in front of their faces.

As a long-time fan of Abrams and an amateur film maker, I was strongly inspired by watching his TED presentation. Abrams not only shares the same ideas as far as storytelling, but he displays the public speaking talents I wish to learn. He uses a free-flowing strategy in telling his story. He makes it seem like we are having a one-on-one conversation, even though he is giving a formal presentation.

When starting a business or trying to get a job, selling yourself is as important as selling your product. Abrams sold himself to the audience and showed us that he is genuine. By the end of the conference I felt like Abrams' goal was make films specifically for me. My hope is to someday be able to convey myself is the same manner as a businessman as Abrams. I hope that by telling my personal brand story, I will gain peoples trust and strong business relationships.

If you want to see the Abrams TED speech you can access it from clicking here.



http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/j_j_abrams_mystery_box.html

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009190/bio