LeTip Chester County East, the premier, referral networking group of Chester County, held another interesting meeting on Tuesday. We had the pleasure of one guest – Tom Gallagher of John Gallagher and Sons Plumbing came back for a 2^nd visit.

SPEAKERS:  Teri West of Superior Home Mortgage and Gary Siano of Guided Wealth Management, financial planner.

1st Speaker: For over 14 years Teri has been helping home buyers get the best mortgage deals – based on income level, credit score and overall long-term needs. Because of her broad background in customer service and working with a variety of people, Teri has a way of connecting with her customers and making them feel at ease during the home-buying or refinancing process – which can be very confusing! Mortgage interest rates are nearing a 50-year low, so now is a good time to refinance for many. Good leads for Teri are divorced individuals and engaged couples, families having babies or needing money for college education.

2^nd Speaker:  Gary provided a comparison among four options to handle your financial planning needs: 1. No Load Fund (e.g. Vanguard); 2. American Funds; 3. MAP; and 4. Variable Annuity. He listed key benefits and showed how this varied for each option, such as ongoing advice and life-time guarantee. Gary works closely with his clients to evaluate retirement goals and objectives and, based on this assessment, he helps determine the best option. Good leads for Gary are individuals who have been laid off from their job and need to rollover their 401K, as well as those that are getting ready to retire.

QUALIFIED TIPS CIRCULATED: At this week’s meeting we circulated 14 tips total! (3 inside, 11 outside). 70 tips total for the month of May! Go Tippers!

TOP TIPPER FOR MAY: Congratulations to Scott Brown of James Brown Plumbing!

TIP OF THE WEEK: Referral marketing reduces your sales expenses and sales cycle. With less time calling cold prospects, your small business can focus on customers and their circle of influence. Referrals can build your level of satisfied customers. The cycle self-perpetuates with more satisfied customers referring others to your company. http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/advertising/a/aa020203a.htm

MEETING ARCHIVE: For an archive of re-caps from past meetings, view www.LeTipCCE.com.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “Feeling appreciated is one of the most important needs that people have. When you share with someone your appreciation and gratitude, they will not forget you. Appreciation will return to you many times." By Steve Brunkhorst

LeTip Chester County East, the premier, referral networking group of Chester County, held another awesome meeting on Tuesday. We welcomed our newest member, Jeannine Jubeck, NSCA-CPT of Fit to the Core (personal training), and had the pleasure of two guests:  1. John Gallagher of John Gallagher and Sons Plumbing and 2. Rebecca Hobbs of Arbonne International (skin care).

SPEAKERS:  Melanie Palubicki of Aflac (supplemental insurance & AFLAC Representative) and George Scherbak of Harvey Insurance Group (property and casualty insurance).

1st Speaker:  Melanie shared a presentation that she uses when discussing the benefits of Aflac to companies with 50+ employees. Aflac complements employees’ medical insurance and at no direct cost to the employer. Major medical pays for doctors and hospitals. Aflac is insurance for daily living. It pays cash benefits directly to you, unless otherwise assigned, to help with daily expenses when you’re sick or hurt. An unexpected illness leads to unexpected costs. Aflac helps these policyholders. A good lead for Melanie is any individual or business with employees.

2^nd Speaker:  George gave us a primer on rental car coverage. You have the option of purchasing a collision damage waiver to cover the physical damage costs that your own personal auto policy may not cover. There are  instances which can nullify the waiver. All rental agreements are different. American Express Gold Card which, when used, gives you some physical  coverage that may allow you to not need the waiver purchase. A great lead is any individual or business owner who has not had their insurance program reviewed in five years or longer!

TIPS: At this week’s meeting we circulated 16 tips total! (7 inside, 8 outside tips and 1 inter-chapter).

TIP OF THE WEEK: In a variety of communication situations, less is better…if you are using a PowerPoint presentation, don't put 50 words on a slide…instead, create bulleted slides. A good reminder is the 6 by 6 rule: no more than six words in a line and six lines on a slide. Often it is not the length, but the conciseness with which you speak that makes the message have meaning.  http://www.speaking-tips.com/Articles/When-Less-Is-More.aspx

MEETING ARCHIVE: For an archive of re-caps from past meetings, view www.LeTipCCE.com.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” By John F. Kennedy

Happy Memorial Weekend!

LeTip Chester County East, the premier, referral networking group of Chester County, held another awesome meeting on Tuesday. Preparation is about having a target market. It's about knowing whom you serve best and therefore wish to serve most. – words of wisdom from Michael Goldberg of http://www.buildingblocksconsulting.com.

GUESTS: We welcomed four guests this week:  1. Electa Mary Huber, Fine and Commercial Artist; 2. Ann Mau, Personal Injury Attorney; both back for a 2^nd visit, and 3. Jacque Waterman of Thin Cow (graphic design) and 4. Matthew Puk of Heritage Business Systems (office equipment).

SPEAKERS:  Phil Koberg of Selective Tileworks (tile installations and creative designs) and Bridget Hanley of Little Conestoga Picture Framing.

1st Speaker:  Phil presented a slide show of his high-end tile work. Phil takes great care in the detail and creativity of his tile work – ensuring that lines are even, corners are mitered, arches are hand-cut, and much more. He offers glass decorative insets, framed-out seats, complementary colors, and ideas galore! For over 10 years, Phil has been providing expert tile services. Please send your leads for high-end, creative tile work to Phil.

2^nd Speaker:  Bridget is our only L.I.F.E. (local independent framing expert). She can tackle a variety of framing projects – from historical documents and memorabilia to prints and pictures and more! Her costs are extremely reasonable and her work offers more detail and attention than those big crafts stores. “As an artist, I bring to you creative ideas you will not find elsewhere, with competitive pricing, and very prompt delivery.” Send Bridget your framing leads.

TIPS: At this week’s meeting we circulated 11 tips total! (8 inside and 3 outside tips).

MEETING ARCHIVE: For an archive of re-caps from past meetings, view www.LeTipCCE.com.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “The first rule of focus is this: "Wherever you are, be there." Unknown