FAQ

Why should I join the ABC Group?

1. Exchange of qualified referrals between members for new business opportunities,
2. A 10% referral fee will be paid to members who introduce other members to a successful engagement based on invoicing for a period of one year from initial invoice
3. A mastermind group of like-minded professionals to bring to bear the collective knowledge and business experience to brainstorm and help solve a member’s business challenges
4. Pro-bono and for fee advice from fellow members and guest speakers that will help you grow your business
5. Consulting and coaching for your business through regular member presentations, guest speakers, one-on-one meetings, and individual projects/assignments
6. A trusted network of experienced business professionals you can refer to your clients
7. Members who live or work in Northern New Jersey can attend live networking meetings and presentations

How often, when, and where, does the ABC Group meet?

1. Live meetings are held monthly, date and times to be announced, at Miranda’s Restaurant, 1520 State Route 23, Wayne, NJ 07470, Tel. (973) 628-9801.
2. Webinar meetings are provided twice monthly, one broadcast on the first Friday of the month from 9:00 – 10:00 am ET. The second webinar will be broadcast usually during the third week of the month, on varying days and times best suited to our membership.
3. All broadcast meetings are voice recorded and will be available for member access on our website along with any slides or handouts used during the presentation in the members’ only resources page of our website.

I’m interested in joining the ABC Group but not yet ready to commit—how can I learn more?

We offer a complementary two month trial membership. Once you join as a trial member you can attend any webinars or live meetings scheduled in the 60 days following your sign-up.

What are my costs and obligations?

1. Membership on a recurring monthly basis – $22.00/month
2. Membership on a recurring quarterly basis – $55.00/quarter
3. Membership on a recurring annual basis – $189.00/year
4. Live network meetings/presentations – Cost of breakfast (about $12.00) for each meeting attended
5. Optional Annual Dinner in January – cost of dinner for you and a (optional) guest

How can I promote my business or services?

1. At our live meetings there is networking time set aside before and after each meeting, one-on-one meetings with other members, and time for each member to relate what they are up to, what they are seeking, and what they can provide.
2. Members will also have the opportunity to present a topic related to their specialty to all members through webinars.
3. For webinar only meetings members will have the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves and their specialties.
4. Members can follow-up with other members on a call for potential business alliances and referrals.
5. All members can participate in on-going forums through our email distribution service. Two days per month (usually the 1^st and 15^th of each month) are designated for promoting your services, products, and other activities related to small business owners. Questions or information helpful to our general membership may be sent anytime.
6. Spam messages such as those not related to small business owners, or messages promoting non-members activities or websites are not permitted and repeated violators will be asked to leave The ABC Group.

What are the qualifications for membership in the ABC Group?

There are no formal qualifications required. Our typical members are small business owners, consultants, coaches, and anyone interested in starting a new business.

How do I join the ABC Group?

Sign-up through our “Become a Member” page.

How do I find the contact information for others on the virtual networking and webinar calls to pursue potential referrals and alliances?

Once you become a member the contact list will be emailed to you shortly after each call.

How do I set up my membership profile?

See our current members’ profiles for examples, prepare a page in MS Word (roughly the size that will fit on a computer screen without scrolling) including graphics and headshot in .jpeg format and links to your website(s) and send to info@theabcgroup.com.

How do I register for an event?

Members (including Trial Members) can register for webinars and live meetings on our “Join a Meeting” page.

Can I join just the virtual networking service?

Yes, although if you live in the northern New Jersey area you’ll get even more value by joining as a full member through participation in live meetings.

Can I join just the live networking service?

Membership in The ABC Group automatically entitles you to attend live meetings/presentations as well as all webinars. You only pay for the live meetings you attend.

What is the format for webinars?

1. Plan to login about 5 minutes before the meeting is scheduled to begin, earlier if you have not used the specific webinar service in the past.
2. If at all possible, use a land line phone in a relatively noise-free environment.
3. If a handout or PowerPoint presentation is provided prior to the meeting please have it available during the call.
4. Depending on the number of people on the call you will have a minute or two to introduce yourself and your business.
5. Member presentations are preceded by a 20 minute master mind segment where the presenter asks questions related to the subject and the attendees share their knowledge and expertise about those topics with other attendees.
6. The presenter will suggest that questions will be taken either during the presentation or immediately following.

What is the format for live events, including introductions?

1. Typically there is networking time, introductions and member check-in (what’s new, what are you seeking, what new offers you have, etc.) from 8:00 to 8:30 AM.
2. Breakfast orders are taking and food served during that first hour of the meeting.
3. The presentation, including the master mind segment, is from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
4. There is a business meeting or additional netwoking until 10:00 AM when the meeting is officially adjourned although the meeting room is available for informal networking until 10:30 AM.

Must I attend a minimum number of networking calls or live networking events to keep my membership active?

No. We have had members who continued their membership and received business referrals even though they rarely attended meetings due to work and travel commitments.

What are the policies and etiquette for emailing individual members or the entire group?

1. All members can participate in on-going forums through our email distribution service. Two days per month (usually the 1^st and 15^th of each month) are designated for promoting your services, products, and other activities related to small business owners.
2. Questions, requests for support, and information about opportunities helpful to our general membership may be sent at any time. Links to helpful articles and videos are also encouraged.
3. Spam messages such as those not related to small business owners, or messages promoting non-members’ activities or websites are not permitted and repeated violators will be asked to leave The ABC Group.
4. Emails about non-business subjects such as religion, politics, rumors, gossip about other members, etc. are not permitted. Our forum moderator has final say in what can be sent to other members.
5. Messages sent directly to individuals (using their email address rather than the Listserv) should adhere to the same professional guidelines.

What do I need to know about presenting at a webinar given at a live meeting?

1. Email your topic and announcement to Ron@michelangelomethod.com at least two months prior to your scheduled presentation date. See current announcements for samples. Include learning points that describe what attendees will get from your presentation, and a brief bio.
2. Email your complete presentation to Ron@michelangelomethod.com at least one week prior to your scheduled presentation date, including any handouts that you will refer to during a presentation or for use afterward.
3. The ABC Group will provide a projection screen, projector, and laptop computer. Please bring a backup of your presentation on a USB drive, and any printed material that you wish to a handout during your presentation.

What do I need to know about presenting at a webinar only meeting?

1. Email your topic and announcement to Ron@michelangelomethod.com at least two months prior to your scheduled presentation date. See current announcements for samples. Include learning points that describe what attendees will get from your presentation, and a brief bio.
2. Email your complete presentation to Ron@michelangelomethod.com at least one week prior to your scheduled presentation date, including any handouts that you will refer to during a presentation or for use afterward.
3. The ABC Group will set up the webinar, and then turn over control to you so that whatever appears on your desktop will appear to everyone on the call.

What are the ABC Group’s referral policies?

1. ABC Group members who are not legally or ethically prohibited must agree to pay a 10% marketing fee to any ABC member who furnishes a lead, contact or referral that results in paid work or business.
2. The marketing fee will be paid for any and all work or business received as the result of that lead, contact or referral, for a period of one year. The one-year period will begin with the first day of paid work or business that results from the lead, contact or referral.
3. The 10% marketing fee will be based on the full payment received from the client less any sizable direct costs or reimbursed expenses such as: significant equipment and software purchases needed to perform the assignment or major travel expenses etc.

What are the terms and conditions for getting a referral fee?

1. Referral of Customers
   1. To be eligible for a Referral Fee, the Referring Party must have the Client use the services of Consultant as a direct result of the Referring Party’s introduction. If the Client contacts the Consultant directly and not as a direct result of Referring Party’s introduction, no referral fee is payable.
   2. Referral fees will be payable based on actual services provided to Client for the first twelve-months from start of services provided to the Client the Referring Party brought the Consultant into. There will be no Referral Fee payable to the Referring Party if the Client refers the Consultant to another Company where the Consultant successfully conducts business.
   3. Completion of the Client transaction will include, but not be limited to the Client’s acceptance of the Consultant’s Terms of Service with a signed agreement and receipt of a valid form of payment (“Completed Transaction”). Consultant, at its sole discretion, may approve or terminate any Client for any reason.
2. Reserved Rights
   1. This Agreement shall in no way limit Consultant’s right to sell directly or indirectly any product or service to any current or prospective Customers.
   2. Consultant will not pay more than one (1) Referral Fee on any given Completed Transaction. The Referral Fee represents the full and only compensation due the Referring Party in connection with the Completed Transaction.
3. Computation. Referral Fees for any Completed Transaction shall be calculated based on the net revenue to Consultant for the Services provided (excluding taxes, imposts, duties, penalties, credits, offsets, and payments for products/supplies or fees attributable to ancillary services not included with the transaction).
4. Payment Terms. Consultant shall remit the applicable Referral Fee to the Referring Party within thirty (30) days after receipt of payment from Client for the offerings included in the Completed Transaction. Consultant shall have no further Referral Fee payment obligations if Client cancels the Contract between Consultant and Client and Consultant is obligated for payments t the Referring party only for services provided and paid. All amounts payable by Consultant to Referring Party are subject to offset by Consultant against any amounts owed by Referring Party to Consultant.
5. Taxes. Referring Party shall be responsible for payment of all taxes to which the Referral Fee is subject. Referring Party agrees to indemnify and hold Consultant harmless against any taxes, including penalties, duties and interest levied by any government on the Referral Fee.
6. No Other Rights. No other rights or licenses are granted to Referring Party under this Agreement and this Referral Agreement does not grant Referring Party any right to resell or otherwise distribute the Offering or any other Consultant product, nor any right to use any Consultant’s trademark, nor any right to make statements, representations, warranties or guarantees to Customer or potential Customer regarding Consultant’s Services, nor any right to provide any services related to any Consultant’s products. In no event shall the Referring Party be eligible for fees or benefits under more than one program for a given transaction.
7. Termination. This Referral Agreement will commence upon the date of Referral Party’s acceptance of this Agreement and will expire when terminated by notice issued by Consultant to Referring Party, either via USPS mail or email. Termination of the Agreement shall not affect Consultant’s obligation to pay Referring Party the Referral Fee for a Completed Transaction earned prior to the termination date.
8. Non-exclusive Arrangement. Each Party acknowledges that the referral arrangements set forth in this Agreement are non-exclusive arrangements. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to restrict a party from entering into any other similar or different referral arrangements with other parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed in any way to require Consultant to provide the Services to any potential Customer.
9. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof, and superseded in all proposals, oral or written, all negotiations, conversations, or discussions between or among the parties with respect to such subject matter.
10. Assignment. Neither party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer the rights or obligations associated with this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, no written consent shall be required to assign, delegate or otherwise transfer this Agreement to any parent or the wholly owned subsidiary of the party or a third party acquiring substantially all of the assets of a party hereto, whether such acquisition is by sale, merger or reorganization; provided, further however, that such third party is not a competitor of the other party. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties, their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Who do I contact if I have other questions or need assistance?

The ABC Group, info@theabcgroup.com
or call Frank Ciecierski at 609-846-0098.
For technical queries, please contact webmaster@theabcgroup.com