Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas

Networking 101: Follow Up After your event, it’s now time to follow up with your new contacts. This is where the rubber hits the road. Hopefully, you established follow-up timing in your initial conversation, but if not, timely follow-up is key. Here are a few pieces of advice: ·     Connect on LinkedIn. If not while at the event, send an invite within 24 hours. Always send a note with the invite referring to where you met (can only be done from your desktop). ·     If you set a date for follow up, add it to your calendar. You may even want to put them on the invite so it hits their calendar as well. · If you didn’t set a follow-up appointment, call or email to set up a follow-up conversation. If you connected at a local networking event, do this within 48 hours. If at a conference, it’s best to give them time to get back in the office and a day to get settled. ·     From there keep the communication open. It may be a future networking events, it may be via phone or email, it may be face to face. Tip: Having once been the target customer, best advice I can give is to not be a pest. Weekly sales emails is a quick way to get on the “avoid” list. Here’s advice from other seasoned networkers: My largest networking tip would be centered around meeting in person. Visiting their office, or grabbing lunch somewhere nearby. Learning hobbies and pastime experience. Finding common ground and areas of mutual interest. Dropping off a $25 box of Crumbl cookies or something unique and special can go a long way towards showing your interest in a company, client, or business. – Mark Tatom, Cooper Jensen Contractors Perhaps most importantly and most forgotten is to follow up with intent. It’s easy to get buried by the next day’s competing priorities, but making time for a tailored message goes a long way. Remember, even if they’re not the ideal role or persona for achieving your goals, they’re likely just one degree of separation away from a key decision-maker. – Thomas Brachey, PMP, Key Real Estate Consulting I have my CRM as an app on my phone, so I try to put as many notes from the event as possible while fresh in my mind to jot down how it went and who I need to follow up with. I put the cards I collect or people I meet in three piles: ·        Companies not in my Industry Wheelhouse: Add on LinkedIn ·        Industry Partners: Add on Linkedin / add as a contact in CRM / send company info email & offer to set up a 1 on 1 ·        Leads: Add in CRM as a lead – send company info email intro & try to set up a 1 on 1.  – Delaney Broyles, 8180 Art Consulting Email Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas at CCCNetworkDallas@gmail.com for more information about our events and event sponsorships. #connecting #networking #ccc #cccdallas

We're pleased to welcome & recognize Key Real Estate Consulting as a returning Gold Sponsor of Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas! In the competitive world of real estate, Key Real Estate Consulting out of Dallas, Texas, is your go-to ally. We’re not just about transactions; we’re about transformation. We bring people together, educating them on how to acquire tax-advantaged, cash-flowing properties that fit seamlessly with 1031 exchanges, self-directed IRAs, and solo 401ks. Our properties are ideal for diversifying your income and smart estate planning. Key Real Estate Consulting’s reach spans nationwide with high-impact networking and educational events designed to connect ambitious individuals and companies, driving win-win deals that scale. Learn more about Key Real Estate Consulting on their website: https://lnkd.in/gxwiGVqc

It's now official, our next event is now booked! "Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate: Two Years Strong, Twice as Connected" will be hosted by OiG located at 430 S Main St, Grapevine November 13th from 5pm – 8pm! Email us at cccnetworkdallas@gmail.com to RSVP, there is limited capacity! Join us for Drinks, Appetizers and Desserts in a cool, industrial space located in Historic Downtown Grapevine for a celebration of the 2 Year Anniversary of Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas. A portion of our ticket proceeds will be donated to a local 501c3 charity. #cccdallas #networking #realestate #developer #construction #investor

Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas is a not-for-profit exclusive networking platform hosting after-hours social events with the most influential firms throughout the DFW CRE industry in a high-energy environment serving top-shelf spirits and catered appetizers. We sponsor a local 501c3 charity at each event to whom we donate a substantial portion of our proceeds. Our mission is simple: connecting local CRE professionals while giving back to the community. Your sponsorship not only buys you social media coverage before and after the event, logo placement on our website, and logo placement at the event, but it also allows us to give back more to the event charities. Details for our November 13th event will be shared this week, there is time to be a part of that initial communication! Email us at cccnetworkdallas@gmail.com for information on sponsorships. #cccdallas #networking #realestate #developer #construction #investor

Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas is delighted to officially welcome Michael Higgins, COSS of SECTOR Consulting Group to our Executive Leadership Team! Michael Higgins is an accomplished corporate education leader with over 25 years of experience in training development and delivery. As the CEO of SECTOR Consulting, he has advanced the firm into a national operation, creating and implementing tailored training programs for clients in virtually all sectors of the workforce. His expertise in regulations, business development, and leadership, combined with a focus on improving employee performance and retention, has consistently helped clients improve business production while maintaining quality and meeting compliance demands.  In addition to his work at SECTOR, Michael served in various roles, where he led the development of career-enhancing educational programs and managed certification and apprenticeship initiatives. This includes conducting audits to identify training gaps, conducting subject matter expert workshops, and optimizing learning management systems to improve training outcomes. An active volunteer in his community, Michael works with organizations such as the Grayson County Community Emergency Response Team, disaster relief programs, SkyWarn, and serves as President of the Grayson County Amateur Radio Club. His passion for safety, education, and community engagement makes him a trusted leader and advisor in his field. On a personal level, Michael enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, and everything outdoors. As an amateur radio operator, Michael travels throughout North Texas with his wife Tamara spotting and reporting storms during inclement weather. Join me in welcoming Michael to the team and come meet him personally at our November 13th event.

Networking 101: The Elevator Pitch I know this may seem a little out of order but if you approach meeting someone at a networking event as creating an immediate connection, the elevator speech becomes secondary. With that being said, what do you say when you meet a new contact, and they ask what you do? You don’t want to go down a long road of explaining everything, losing their attention in the process. You need to get it down to two or three sentences to communicate what you do. Sometimes this might not be delivered until a follow-up meeting or might be needed for a trade show. Here are a few things to think about when creating your pitch: ·    First Sentence - I help (who) (gain what benefits) by (doing what). - Who is your target customer or current customer? -  How do you help them or improve their business? -  What do you do? ·    Second – get a little deeper into the how. This is the follow-up to the “tell me more” ·    Third Sentence – what sets you apart from everyone else. This has been one of the most difficult things for me to develop. Start by writing out what you do – a paragraph, two paragraphs, write the story. Tell the story first to yourself, then create the “Cliff Note” version. From there break it down to the basics to get to the elevator pitch. Tip: AI can help you with paring it down. Just make sure to put the AI results in your own words. Once you get through all of this and you’re satisfied with your accomplishment – save it, take a break then come back. Now you are going to pare this down to one sentence – the hook. The hook grabs their attention, makes them want to know more about your business. For example: “I make you money with zero effort on your end.” If I’m told something like that, I will want to know more. The hook becomes your new first sentence. If they’re interested, give the rest of your elevator pitch. After that, it’s all on you. #connecting #networking #ccc #cccdallas

Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas has been on an upward trajectory since our launch in 2022. Our upcoming November 13th event will mark our 2-year anniversary, details for that event will be out soon. We still have openings for sponsors, email us at CCCNetworkDallas@gmail.com for more information.

Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas is delighted to officially welcome Tamara Higgins of Lerch Bates Inc. to our Executive Leadership Team! Tamara Higgins is the Regional Managing Director for Enclosures, Structures, and Forensics at Lerch Bates, a multidisciplinary consulting firm for the built environment. She spent 10 years of her career in manufacturing, specifically operations and engineering, then the next 25 years in the construction industry, including glass & glazing, and having her own business in exterior wall panel systems as a subcontractor. Tamara has been on the forefront of design-assist for building enclosure systems across multiple market sectors, in the commercial construction and existing building industry. Her breadth of expertise includes sustainability solutions, BECx, technical plans & specifications reviews, new construction consultation, forensic investigations, historical building renovations, and property condition assessments. Tamara is known for her innovative solutions and effectively integrating with project teams responsible for delivering complex building envelope systems, which can be seen on buildings throughout the nation. Today, Tamara manages a team of very talented engineers (structural, civil, etc.), architects, consultants, specialists, and an amazing support staff. Along with her full-time job, Tamara is a certified craft instructor for NCCER (National Construction Center for Education and Research), has worked with non-profit organizations and community colleges in delivering certifications, apprenticeships, and work-readiness programs for the unemployed, homeless and formerly incarcerated, she is a licensed amateur radio operator and storm spotter, as well as an avid animal lover, with 4 rescue dogs, a cat, and some outdoor farm animals (for now). Join me in welcoming Tamara to the team and come meet her personally at our November 13th event.

Today we'd like to recognize 712 Vodka as a Partner Sponsor of Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas! A well-defined, premier, "story in a bottle", that is perfect neat, or with your favorite mixer. Experience The 712 Vodka Difference as it will be the primary vodka served at this event!   A TRIBUTE TO HUMBLE ORIGINS As people who know what it’s like to have fierce ambition - we developed our vodka with the dreamer in mind. We want to come along with you on this journey called life - to inspire a celebration of all your achievements. No matter how small, we know that success is a journey - not a destination. Seven Twelve Vodka (712 Vodka) is a premium vodka distilled and bottled out of Fletcher, NC at the expertise of Two Tree’s Distillery.   Learn more about the 712 Vodka story at their website: seventwelvevodka.com

We're pleased to welcome & recognize JNT Construction as a Bronze Sponsor of the Contractors, Closers & Connections (CCC) of Dallas November 13th event! JNT Construction stands as a versatile and all-encompassing general contracting firm, dedicated to delivering top-notch services in various domains. Our expertise lies in multifamily renovations and new construction, along with a specialization in commercial renovations and build-outs. What sets us apart is our owner's active involvement in multifamily investments. This engagement not only sharpens our understanding of the industry but also instills a keen sense of time sensitivity. We are committed to aligning with investors' objectives, empathizing with clients' perspectives, and ensuring the seamless execution of projects within budgetary constraints and stringent timelines. Learn more about JNT Construction on their website: JNTConstruct.com