MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 10, 2001 MEETING OF
THE CHEMICAL CONSULTANTS NETWORK
The January 10, 2001 meeting of the CCN was held at the Cynwyd Club, Bala Cynwyd, PA. After a social hour and dinner, the meeting was called to order by Mike Bigwood at 7:45 PM.
The program of future meetings was outlined.
Bill Golten introduced John Alexander, the speaker of the evening. His program was a workshop on “Designing Effective Professional Promotional Literature”.
1. On Making Brochures:
How can you use brochures
As an aid in sales calls, as a leave-behind, particularly if decision- making may involve others.
At meetings or tradeshows
In direct mail
As an offer in an ad
To answer inquiries
To send to others that collaborate with you.
2. What should be on a brochure
How you can help a client (has to be appropriate to the needs of the client)
How you have helped others (case histories)
Why a prospective client should choose you – qualifications, experience, education.
MAKE IT INTERESTING TO THE CLIENT
3. Other information
How long you have been in business
How you got started
How the business has changed and evolved
How you will work on a project fore the client, reports to be submitted, time frame, fees, initial payment, retainers, etc.
Show trends or projections of the industry – if appropriate -- and with permission of the source
How you can be reached: full name, address, etc.
You may want to develop a logo. This should be used consistently on letterheads, envelopes, brochures, etc. It should help develop a “Family Look” and shows that you are a serious business.
In regard to the format
The simpler the better.
To fit a #10 envelope
To fit in your inside pocket
( Odd sizes add to paper and printing costs)
The number of pages depends on the length of the text, size, spacing of the type. The number of pages should be in multiples of 4.
Keep in mind the increase in postal rates.
If you are a good writer you may consider writing your own brochure – but have someone else review and criticize it. Otherwise get professional help. The same goes foe the design of a brochure. There are computer programs that may be useful but a professional designer may assure high quality, appropriate paper stock, interesting illustrations, and unbiased evaluation of the presentation.
WHATEVER YOU DO PROOF-READ ,PROOF-READ, PROOF-READ.
To distribute your brochure, you may consider purchasing mailing lists.
After critiques of materials presented by several members, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Wolf Karo
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 10, 2001 STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CHEMICAL CONSULTANTS NETWORK
The January 10, 2001 meeting of the Steering Committee of CCN was held at the Cynwyd Club, Bala Cynwyd, PA.
Approval of the minutes of the last SC meeting was deferred (Approved after insertion of a paragraph concerning approval of prepayment of fees for booths at future Vendor Nights to defray set-up expenses incurred because of no-shows.)
In regard to no-shows at regular dinner meetings, it was decided to change the wording in the notices to read ..” reservations or cancellation by (date) . No-shows will be billed”. Bob Haluska will draft an appropriate letter.
Meetings:
Feb. – set
March – set
April – set-- The speaker will be Gene Shulman, Mike Bigfood will host.
May 9 open Will contact SBA for a speaker on the activities of SBA as it may relate to our consulting activities.
June 13 -- annual picnic – Dave and Mike will make arrangements.
For the fall, Bob Haluska will contact Peter Lantos to prepare a program on how to handle difficult clients. Possibly for Sept, Oct, or Dec.
We plan to check on the possibility of having some of the programs of the past done again.
The April meeting of this year will be held here. It will not be a joined meeting with the North Jersey ACCChE. Mike will contact them They are going to be notified of the meeting and invited. The announcement is to be e-mailed to them. In turn, they are to let us know whether they will attend.
We really need better communication with ACCCHE.
As to our ad in C&EN, a line is to be added that will identify CCN. John Alexander is to be asked to help with a more effective design. Perhaps Bill Golton e-mail John a copy of our present ad and discuss with him how he can help.
The local ACS section has budgeted $2300 for us. This is to include mailing costs. We'll try to get envelopes printed up.
Dave V. will request $750 from national ACChE
We are to set aside funds to train Libby in the use of the new computer, which we plan to buy for her use. We plan to supply the computer, software , and training . Mike is to look into this and see whether ACS will share some of the expenses.
Dave V. mentioned that we need to remove from our membership list, names of people that have not paid for two years. The removal from the alphabetical list is to done by Mark DeLuca.
The new membership-list was distributed.
Respectfully submitted,
Wolf Karo