March 2007
New Jersey Forum
By Darlene Gidney
Staff Writer
Englewood- The Circles of Color International, LLC founded in 2003, is an organization of business and professional people of color who are dedicated to the growth and development of current and future business for not only their members, also but the community at large.
"COC is not just another business network organization," said Founder & CEO Isaiah M. Jefferson. "The COC is a business as a business, we are in business to do business and not just network. He continued, "we strive to create business referrals, business ventures and opportunities for your buusiness that creates a steady stream of business growth for now and the years to come." According to Jefferson, Circles of Color presently has seven divisions established in the NY/NJ tri-state area and is looking to expand its reach to 50 divisions before fiscal year end 2007 he said each chapter of "COC" provides an exclusive business forum that helps members to grow their business with other members in an atmosphere that is comprise of a circle of trust and knowledge of ech others businesses.
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The New Jersey Forum recently sat in on an Englewood Chapter meeting which was held at Absoulutley Soul Food Restaurant on Engle Street in the city. The Chapter's president Ronald H. Rollieson hosted more than 25 plus members and vistors. The program enlightened all in attendance.
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The keynote speaker for the night was the distinguished Walter Young, Chief Operation Officer of the COC Management Team, whom deliberated a powerful segment on "How To Pass Good Referrals." Young suggested to the group of local business owners focusing on a few key points to help grow their business. The first point is to create a sphere of influence, second, pass two referrals per month and document their progess, the third and most impacting point is keep a Souladex with you at all times. Souladex you ask, that is a business card folder of your most influential networking sphere. One lasting statemnet that Mr. Young offered was "Ask your self, did I check with myself first before checking the Yellow Pages?" He strongly suggested checking with ones is a practice that all business owners may want to take to heart when making a referral.
As the meeting concluded, those in attendance including Mayor Micheal Wildes of Englewood, Althea Hamlin-Jones from Cruise Planners and Joanne English of English Realty Associates to name a few, had an opportunity to offer feed back to Young on the content of the information that he rendered. Unanimously all agreed that Passing Good Referrals would ultimately be a benefit to help grow their businesses. "We seek to expand our business reach, create ancillary investment income, enrich our community economically and mentor our youth with strategic mentorship programs designed to prepare them for the challenges the business world," said Englewood Chapter President Rollieson. "Our vision can be summed up by the adage of "Doing Good While Doing Well."
To find out more about Circles of Color, just simply log on their website at www.COCLLC.com for details.
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