Working Together for a Vital City for All

As a cyclist who has been enjoying the recent additions of bike lanes in New York City, an article on the cover recent article in Chelsea Now, a neighborhood newspaper, caught my attention. It reported on local businesses who claimed to be losing sales due to a bike lane being installed on Eighth Avenue supplanting parking spaces. The argument seemed to parallel the same one that came bars and restaurants claiming that the smoking ban would harm their business, when in fact, the opposite has happened.

While the article was decidedly one-sided (no cyclists, pedestrians or shoppers were interviewed), it does raise the issue of the balance between businesses and overall city life. In the past year or so, the Bloomberg administration has made quality of life a priority, with the renovation of parks, installation of 300 miles of bike paths, and plan to plant 1 million trees. Not withstanding the few parking spaces lost, ultimately, this will get more people out and about on the streets, and that will be good for business.

WAKE UP CALL: We are all part of one city. Businesses, the government and nonprofits need to work together in the best interests of everyone. Renewing the quality of life for all, will ultimately create a vital city that will bring in tax revenue, keep businesses afloat and provide funding for nonprofits.

The Moment of Now Conference 2008



On October 24, 2008, the Columbia School of Business held a conference titled “The Moment of Now: Market Innovations in Social Enterprise” to explore themes in the emerging sector of social enterprise. In this session on Cultivating Effective NGO-Business Partnerships, Gordon Peterson (second from left),  VP of Corporate Social Responsibility for The Timberland Company, squared off with two nonprofits: Allison Clements (left), Corporate Counsel for the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Kyle Cahill, Director of Corporate Engagement at the Environmental Defense (third from left), moderated by Alan Webber, Founder of Fast Company magazine.Continue reading

Peer Mentoring Group Provides Support

Like all small business owners, juggling many balls often doesn’t leave time for the long-range planning necessary to grow the business. Going it alone, I longed for feedback from peers facing the same challenges. I found the answer to these two concerns in a peer mentoring group presided over by the aptly-named Ed Abel, president of the Abel Business Institute. The group consists of five small business owners in the same industry (four design firm principals and one writer), run by Ed, who challenges us to overcome our obstacles. On a monthly basis we gather to set our goals, track our progress and get answers to current issues we face. This forum has been invaluable in helping me grow Red Rooster Group, as well as develop cherished relationships with everyone in the group.

RESOURCE: www.abelbusinessinstitute.com

WAKE UP CALL: What are you doing to get peer feedback and track your goals?

The Secrets of Business Referrals

The Nonprofit Resource Group meets monthly to foster connections between nonprofit consultants and to help each other grow our businesses. At the last meeting, Interim CEO Consultant, John Corwin, gave advice on how to create an giving and receiving referrals. Addressing the natural apprehension to call some one, he provided with these seven reasons people will take your call:

1. The relationship of the referrer.
2. It’s the only thing they will do that day that is risk free.
3. There is a mystique about helping people.
4. Be shameless about offering free food (breakfast, lunch or coffee) in exchange for free food.
5. People love to give advice.
6. People understand that networking is a life-long quest and two-way street.
7. You become a part of their network.

Red Rooster Group IconRed Rooster Group is a New York based graphic design firm that creates effective brands, websites, and marketing campaigns to increase your visibility, sales, and communications effectiveness. Contact us at info@redroostergroup.com.