Rice Business Network

The Rice Business Network (RBN) is dedicated to helping members of the Rice community succeed in life and business through personal development, professional development, and interpersonal connections.

RBN LinkedIn Site http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2500&trk=hb_side_g

Upcoming Events

:: RBN Networking Lunch
Second Fridays: Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Ziggy's Healthy Grill, 2202 West Alabama

Join us on the second Friday of each month for a networking lunch.  The meeting will focus on networking in small groups to identify opportunities for one another.  If you want to sell your services, broaden the market for your company's products, or make a deal, you need to connect – and the Rice Business Network has connected people on real estate deals, computer services, consulting services, bank loans, new business ventures, career changes, legal services, accounting, and much more.

Please E-mail the RBN if you would like to be added to the newsletter distribution list or if you would like to lead a discussion.


:: RBN Steering Committee Breakfast
First Thursdays: Oct.1, Nov. 5, Dec. 3 
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Le Peep, 3810 Farnham (Hwy 59 & Shepherd)  

Join us on the first Thursday of each month for our steering committee breakfast.  The meeting will focus on event planning and execution, as well as expanding opportunities for the RBN.

Recent Events

Annual Networking Event ::
"30 Seconds of Fame.... Mastering Your Elevator Speech!"
September 9, 2009 • Gallery M Squared
339 West 19th Street

6:30 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Program
Catered by Shade in the Heights

We’ve all been to myriad networking events where we stand around, maybe meet some people who are maybe useful to know, and leave feeling like maybe something has been accomplished. This event is NOT one of those!

We will put networking concepts into practice with coaches on hand to offer feedback. Each attendee will be randomly assigned to a table, where he/she will be given 30 seconds to deliver an elevator pitch. After every attendee has presented, time will be allocated for group follow-ups, then participants will change tables and start over again. Each table will feature a coach taking notes on elevator pitch delivery and follow-up networking. At the end of the night, attendees will receive feedback from both the coaches and the other attendees at their tables. Come hone your networking skills with fellow alumni!

Rice Business Finder

The Association of Rice Alumni and Rice Business Network are pleased to introduce an online business directory, the Rice Business Finder. Listings are sortable by business category, geographically, and by keyword. Whether you offer goods or services locally or worldwide, put the Rice connection to work in promoting your business. Visit http://alumni.rice.edu/bizfinder for more information and to view the directory..

About the RBN

What does the Rice Business Network (RBN) do?
The Rice Business Network coordinates events for Rice people to work together and help each other with business challenges and issues. It has helped members of the group address a wide variety of issues including finding employees, improving sales, starting businesses, making investments, buying and selling real estate, fixing computer problems, and handling accounting and legal issues. The group has been meeting regularly for more than six years.

As mentioned above, the RBN meets the second Friday of each month for a networking lunch. Occasionally, the RBN will host a forum or in-depth discussion on a particular industry or business issue. E-mail the RBN if you have a topic of interest or if you would like to lead a discussion.

Who attends the Rice Business Network meetings?
A wide variety of Rice people attend the RBN's informal roundtable meetings. Many regular attendees of the meetings are entrepreneurs or self-employed, while others have years of corporate experience. Everyone in these get-togethers finds a supportive group and can enjoy the wide-ranging discussions and ideas.

The RBN Board
The RBN Board consists of members of the Rice community who have volunteered to coordinate events and perform the administrative tasks necessary to sustain the organization. Board members serve one-year terms that currently run through June 30, 2008.

Tony Ackerman ’82, President
Phil Schwarz '91, Past President, JGSEO Liason
Emily Barrett ’90, Networking Chair
Victor Elgohary ’87, Information Chair
Chris Favre ’99, Communications Chair
Richard Hairston ’87, External Affairs Chair
Joshua Haynes ’06, Special Events Chair
Pat Huttenbach ’92, Special Events Committee Member
Shaheen Ladhani ’97, Jones Graduate School of Business Liaision
Karl Maier '84
David Merritt '71, External Affairs Committee Member
Liz Taishoff Sweigart '01, Chicago-area Chair

Contact the RBN:
E-mail the RBN or contact any of the Board members above.