More than 160 business professionals attended Winning Edge 2014 Business Conference last week and have given Bottom Line Marketing Group, the sponsor, positive feedback. After a full breakfast and presentations by Yitzchok Saftlas, President of Bottom Line Marketing Group, Executive coach and sales trainer Adam Lieberman spoke on Leading & Motivating a Successful Sales Force and offerred practical, applicable tools for creating and maintaining an effective sales team, encouraging business leaders to go one step beyond competitors to ensure success.
Nachum Segal, radio-personality and President of the Nachum Segal Network, moderated the next portion of the event: the rapid-fire presentations. Conference participants were introduced to the day’s presenters as each gave a brief sampler of the essential points to be covered later on in the day. The good humor and sense of camaraderie among the presenters filtered out into the crowd as the hour passed, leaving all present revved up for the exciting sessions which followed.
Three sets of concurrent workshops, each on a unique and compelling topic were offered next. Topics ran the gamut of business-related aspects applicable to all businesses, from start-ups to well-established firms: effective hiring, increasing productivity, strategies for growing one’s business and corporate philanthropy. Jacob Engel, CEO of Yeda, ran an informative and pertinent workshop which focused on identifying technical skill and, equally important, interpersonal skills in job candidates. Yitzchok Saftlas led a workshop on developing and perfecting a successful marketing plan, offering tips and trade-secrets to his appreciative audience. Saul N. Friedman, Senior Partner of Saul N. Friedman and Company, gave a workshop on taking one’s business to the next level. Full of practical strategies and inside tips, this session provided useful, applicable guidance for growth.
President of R. Bieler Consulting Services, Rabbi Richard Bieler presented on the benefits of corporate philanthropy, encouraging companies to grow through giving. Jack Friedler, President of City View Commercial, presented a workshop called Proven Techniques to Close That Deal. Ira Zlotowitz, President of Eastern Union Funding, presented on raising staff productivity to increase profit.
Bottom Line Marketing Group arranged an exclusive women’s track for The Winning Edge 2014. Women could choose to attend this special set of workshops in which three of the Jewish world’s most highly-acclaimed professional women presented on pertinent and pressing topics. Miriam L. Wallach, General Manager of the Nachum Segal Network, led a session on presenting oneself properly as “the woman in the room.” In this women-only session, participants spoke up without inhibition, having the unique opportunity to ask questions and collaborate with other frum female professionals. In the second session, Suzy Schwartz of Yeshiva University led an interactive workshop on perfecting a sales pitch.
Interior designer Fanny Zigdon’s session concluded the women’s track by explaining how she used social media as a way to monetize her creativity, and how now, with 53,000 followers on Instagram, she has met with success. Zigdon shared tips on how to use social media to grow in business.
After the breakout sessions, all conference members reconvened to hear divrei halacha and chizuk from Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, Rav of Kahal Bnei Yitzchok in Brooklyn. He touched upon delicate topics, such as gezel, tefilla and support of Torah, bringing in memorable anecdotes to accentuate each point. Rabbi Goldwasser presented relatable sheilos, which arise daily in the business world–including hiring, advertising and shmiras Shabbos–emphasizing the necessity of consulting Daas Torah. He concluded with an impassioned dose of chizuk with regard to bitachon in business and in life in general.
Marc Bodner’s keynote address served was the perfect conclusion to the conference. Bodner, CEO and Chief Visionary Officer of L&R Distributors, presented on Building a Dynamic Business Vision in Turbulent Times. Bodner gave pragmatic advice on maintaining stability and a healthy perspective as times speed along, bringing rapid change. Each participant was encouraged to adapt a visionary outlook as a key tool for continued success. Innovation serves as the answer to disruption in a quickly evolving society.
The conference continued well into the night as participants took the opportunity to process, internalize and discuss the day’s events over dinner. Jay Block of The Small Business Journal summed it up: “It was an excellent conference, and more importantly it was insightful, practical…I came away with helpful tips and points to incorporate in my business.”
