Ventures Spring 2017 by Mitchell Graphics

Ventures Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Nutrition Entrepreneurs’

Business Resources for You Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN Chair You paid for your membership with Nutrition Entrepreneurs. Time to take advantage of the resources we have to enhance your business. 1. Electronic Mailing Lists (EMLs). This resource was the first resource I ever used with Nutrition Entrepreneurs (NE) and it got me my first paying job during my dietetic undergrad days. The EMLs are a place to post questions and interact with your fellow members. I posted a question regarding private practice dietitians, instantly got a response and met with a local RDN who hired me. Already using the EMLs? Post a question this month. Not on them yet? Go to www.nedpg.org. Log in first. Click on “Members” and “Electronic Mailing Lists” and sign up today. It’s a business game changer.

2. Mentor Program. Yes – we have a mentor program where you can sign up to talk to dietitians in your desired area (for example, private practice, coaching, etc.). Ask specific questions and get the answers you need to enhance your career. Go to www.nedpg.org. Log in first. Click on “Members” and “Mentor Services.” 3. Resources. We have a whole section on our website listing resources from must-know websites to must-have magazines, like Today’s Dietitian or Entrepreneur magazine. Lots of good tips here. 4. Webinars. We provide you with eight to ten webinars annually. If you missed one, not a problem. You can watch past webinars for free any time. Once again, log-in to the website first. Click on “Members” and “Webinar Library.” 5. Past Ventures. Are you loving this issue of Ventures? Want to look at past issues? You can. They are located on the website under “Members” and “Newsletters.” 6. Toolkit. Last but not least, our Toolkit offers lots of articles and information about private practice, publishing articles, writing books, public speaking, coaching, corporate wellness, social media, marketing, branding and more. This is one of my favorite resources. Log-in to the website. Click on “Members” and “Toolkit.” No need to feel overwhelmed at all the resources we have for you. Simply check out one resource a week or a month. They are not going anywhere. The resources are there for you. Enjoy!

Spring 2017 Volume XXXIII Number 4 Continuing Ed: Best Tips and Resources for Improving Your Business and Nutrition Skills

In This Issue: Nutrition Entrepreneurs’ Business Resources for You ��1 Be an Open Observer ��2 Members on the Move ��3 How to Harness Your Luck to Write Winning Proposals ��4 The Academy in Action: Continuing Our Education with Appreciative Inquiry ��6 Four Ways to Get CPEs for Free ��7 Use the SMART Strategy to Improve Business Skills in 2017 ��8 “Must-Have” Private Practice Resources ��9 Getting Out of My Nutrition Bubble Grew My Nutrition Business ��10 Continuing Education is Food for the Brain ��11 Best Tips and Resources to Improve your Business and Your Nutrition Skills ��12 Product Reviews ��13 Non-Traditional Networking to Learn & Grow Your Business ��14 RD Cookbook Author Shares Tips for Creating a Cookbook ��15 Three Options for Continuing Education ��15 Recorded Webinar CSUS �� Back Cover

Chair - Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN: If you say “scuba diving trip,” Sarah will meet you there. In addition to her passion of food, she has a major passion for the ocean and tries to swim under the sea as often as possible. She’s traveled the world diving with the fish from Majuro to Cuba to Bonaire and more.

Ventures EDITOR Alexandra Caspero, MA, RDN, CLT, RYT

INCOMING EDITOR Rachael Hartley, RDN, LD, CDE, CLT

EDITORIAL BOARD, 2016-2017 Alexandra Caspero, MA, RDN, CLT, RYT Rachael Hartley, RDN, LD, CDE, CLT Penny Wilson, PHD, RDN, LD Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN Rosanne Rust, MS, RDN, LDN The newsletter pertains to the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and reproduction rights are reserved. Publication of an advertisement in the Ventures newsletter should not be considered as an endorsement of the product or advertiser by the DPG. Viewpoints and statements in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect policies and/or positions of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. © 2015 Nutrition Entrepreneurs. All rights reserved.

WE WELCOME INPUT FROM OUR MEMBERS. PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR: Alexandra Caspero, MA, RDN, CLT, RYT NewsletterEditor@NEdpg.org

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION NE members’ Ventures subscription year runs from June through May. Non-Academy members may purchase a one-year (five issues) subscription for $40. Contact NEadmin@NEdpg.org for subscription information.

ADDRESS CHANGES AND MISSING ISSUES If you have a change of address, please contact the Academy with your new address information. If you missed an issue, email Lauri Egan at NEadmin@NEdpg.org or call (513) 972-4668.

Newsletter EDITOR LETTER Be An Open Observer Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD, CLT, RYT Newsletter Editor Three years ago, I signed up for a 200hour yoga teacher training program. After years of being a student and casually teaching on the side, I knew I wanted to learn more about the philosophy of yoga and to deepen my own practice. Little did I know, my teacher training program would become one of the best things I’ve done for my nutrition business. Yoga is the ultimate mirror. It allows you to face your fears, identify which obstacles stand in the way, be an open observer and find your edge. What better lessons for owning your own business? Because of my teacher training, I’m a better coach and empathetic listener. I’m less reactive at setbacks and trust my gut and intuition above all. That’s really the beauty of continued learning. Even things that we don’t consider “job training” or necessary for “career advancement” have benefits. Everything is connected. What have you wanted to do, but haven’t been able to accomplish, because you haven’t

had the time or resources? That’s the spirit of our Spring issue: giving unconditional permission to grow, search, learn and achieve. We know growth isn’t easy and often comes at our most vulnerable or uncomfortable times. On the entrepreneur path, while the opportunities for growth are plentiful, they are usually messy in the process. But, as my yoga teacher often reminds me, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” As noted in our Fall issue, we are excited to be offering two CPE articles in Ventures per year. This Spring issue hosts the second one, on writing a winning proposal for your next opportunity. Whether you are ready for a career change, new book, speaking engagement, media gig or other dream, this community of nutrition entrepreneurs is here for you. I hope you are inspired by the tips and resources for growth and continued learning in this issue. As always, feel free to send any feedback my way.

Newsletter Editor - Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD, CLT, RYT, author of Fresh Italian Cooking for the New Generation and music theatre fanatic. While her Broadway career lives only in her dreams, she knows the lyrics to almost every popular musical by heart and can often be found singing them in the shower, the car and into wooden spoon microphones in the kitchen.

ARTICLE CATEGORY

Members on the Move Penny Wilson, PHD, RDN, LD Past Chair

Dr. Ellen Albertson, PhD, RDN, CD, and her husband Michael have recently published their third book, The Diabetic & the Dietitian: How to Help Your Husband Defeat Diabetes Without Losing Your Mind or Marriage. The book was featured in the November issue of Prevention magazine. The Albertsons have also started a podcast called, Wellcouples, that empowers couples to maximize health, happiness and longevity. Listen to it at www.wellcouples.libsyn.com. Gillean Barkyoumb, MS, RD - For millennials, food is not just a means of sustenance — it’s a defining characteristic of who they are. On the recently launched website, www.MillennialNutrition.com, Gillean Barkyoumb, MS, RD, explores this shift in our food culture. She connects with her fellow Gen Y’ers by sharing health and nutrition tips through Instagram-worthy food pics, credible and intriguing articles and tothe-point videos. Follow her on Twitter @MillennialNutri and Instagram. @MillennialNutrition. Digna I. Cassens, MHA, RDN, CLT, has a new book scheduled for February 2017 publication, Food for Group Homes Recipes, with menus & procedures for small communities (2/2017). Other publications: Flavorful Fortified Food – Recipes to Enrich Life and Food First! Enhancing the Nutritional Quality of Meals with Fortified Food, manuals for long-term care including training, forms and procedure manuals. She owns a private practice in the Mojave desert, focusing on telehealth consultations. Services also available in Spanish, www.nutritionmanagementsystems.org.

Lorelle Del Matto, MS, RDN, CD, won the Grand Prize in the FCP recipe contest with the National Watermelon Promotion Board with a recipe for Vietnamese Shrimp Rolls available at www.foodculinaryprofs.org. Lorena Drago, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, co-edited with Cynthia M. Goody, PhD, MBA, RD, the book Cultural Food Practices, available through the www.eatright.org store. This handbook shows the RDN how to present information that will stick, even when time is short. It not only provides the “how-tos” of teaching to enhance comprehension with clients, it also provides succinct and handy examples. Denine Rogers recently graduated from the American College of Health Science with a Master’s degree in complementary alternative medicine and herbal medicine. She will be writing an article and webinar on Complementary Alternative Medicine and Herbal Medicine for Today’s Dietitian Magazine.

Roberta Schwartz Wennik, MS, RDN, shares her expertise in personality type theory (MBTI®) and lifestyle in her exciting book Is It Worth It? - Simplify Your Life with Personality Type. No cookie-cutter approach here. Simplify six areas of clutter in your life according to WHO YOU ARE. With the book comes membership in the private SYLWT group, where Roberta holds monthly Live Chat Events, discussing how members can achieve stress-free living. Learn more at www.simplifyyourlifewithtype.com. Judy Simon recently presented at the 2016 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress. The session was entitled Healthy Mother, Healthy Babies: Achieving Optimal Pregnancy Outcomes Through Nutritional Intervention. Patti Tveit Milligan and her son, Reilly, just published Why is Shirley Unusual?, a children’s nutrition and gardening story teaching kids through the eyes of a child, Shirley. School gardens have embraced Shirley’s story as a way to guide gardening. Patti has been in the nutrition field for 34 years. She has worked in clinical and integrative medicine/natural foods. Patti has a passion for kids’ nutrition, gardening and a desire to educate in a unique manner.

How to Harness Your Luck to

Write WINNING Proposals CEU article

Jacqueline B. Marcus, MS, RDN, LDN, CNS, FADA, FAND So you want a new job, position, award, honor, book, speaking engagement or other opportunity. Maybe you want to regroup, repackage, repurpose or consider what other prospects prevail. Perhaps this is new territory or one that you have unsuccessfully attempted in the past. Luck is not an inherited trait, and for that matter, neither is hard work. Both are needed to succeed at almost anything. Luck requires a certain je ne sais quoi, or elusive quality. Work requires a dogged determination and steadfast purpose. When luck and hard work align with good timing… it’s destiny. And that winning proposal may follow.

LADY LUCK Luck is defined as “the things that happen to a person because of chance; the accidental way things happen without being planned; good fortune; good luck; success in doing or getting something.” Luck varies by interpretation according to one’s emotional, mystical, philosophical and/or religious contexts. Prominent business leaders Anthony K. Tjan, Richard J. Harrington and Tsun-Yan Hsieh think that luck comes in three varieties: Dumb, Constitutional and Circumstantial.“Although you cannot alter Dumb Luck, and can do very little about Constitutional Luck, … you can work toward creating or strengthening Circumstantial Luck,” they state in their book Heart, Smarts, Guts and Luck. They believe that heart, smarts, guts and luck are “both complementary and differing traits of great entrepreneurs and business leaders.” Furthermore,“heart-dominant entrepreneurs bring nuance, passion, purpose and sacrifice to issues, such as proposals; smarts-dominant [entrepreneurs] are rational, fact-driven and multidimensional who set goals, delegate and emphasize performance; guts-dominant [entrepreneurs] initiate, endure and evolve actions and are both risk takers and risk tolerators; and luck-dominant [entrepreneurs] display humility, intellectual curiosity and optimism.”

The authors maintain that these three traits humility, intellectual curiosity and optimism - generate a “Lucky Attitude,” enhanced by authenticity, generosity, openness and vulnerability, and formulated into a “Lucky Network” to help advance people toward their goals. In conjunction with these ideas, Professor Richard Wiseman, Public Understanding of Psychology Chair at the University of Hertfordshire, Britain, thinks there are four basic principles that lucky people use to create good fortune in their lives. Professor Wiseman writes,“Lucky people maximize chance opportunities, listen to lucky hunches, expect good fortune and turn bad luck to good.” Specifically,“Lucky people are skilled at creating, noticing and acting upon chance opportunities by networking, adopting a relaxed attitude to life and being open to new experiences.  Lucky people listen to their intuition and gut feelings to make effective decisions and take steps to actively boost their intuitive abilities.” Moreover,“Lucky people are certain the future is full of good fortune and their expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies since they persist in the face of failure and shape their interactions with others in a positive way.  Lucky people employ various psychological techniques to cope with and often thrive upon ill fortune that comes their way and take control of the situation.” Similarities exist between these two lucky viewpoints. In general, lucky people display humility (Tjan) and have a relaxed attitude about life (Wiseman). They show intellectual curiosity (Tjan) and listen to their intuition (Wiseman). And they display optimism (Tjan) and expect good fortune (Wiseman).”

WINNING WAYS In contrast to luck, winning is defined as “the act of one that wins (victory); something won as captured territory (conquest); money won by success in a game or competition.” Winning requires more hard work than luck. Thomas M. Koulopoulos, president and founder of Delphi Group, a Boston-based think tank and advisory firm, characterizes traits such as these in winning people*:

Acceptable - compensates, avoids burnout, stays centered and recaps sacrifices Accomplished - overcomes impossible through dogged perseverance Authentic - expresses opinions clearly, consistently, transparently and truthfully Benevolent - helps others increase confidence and creates lifelong loyalty Competitive - strives to pursue dreams and pave success Compulsive - networks, nurtures and reinforces for success Grateful - acknowledges good fortune and success Knowing -realizes agreements do not equal infallibility Lenient - forgives past, learns and moves to bigger challenges Obsessive - obsesses over details and drives excellence Passionate - desires nonstop self-improvement Persistent - understands success includes failures, experimentation and learning Responsible - owns failures, engenders trust and demonstrates humility Steadfast - persists during crises and creates a reliable compass Supportive -promotes loyalty *Adapted by author. In Shark Tank Secrets to Success: How to Propel Your Business from the Tank to the Bank, author Michael Parrish DuDell recognizes successful entrepreneurs create an environment conducive to success by fostering a strong community, seeking great mentors. They get work done through hustle, and strict focus. Successful entrepreneurs also have personal characteristics that allow them to be persistent, trust their guts, and upgrade their attitudes. DuDell emphasizes that there are no actual templates for success, but that there are three fundamental practices: the audacity to initiate, the ingenuity to prosper and the resilience to endure. Considering that Shark Tank applications number in the thousands while only a few hundred are selected for televised competition, the finalists likely demonstrate these fundamental practices. Similarities exist between lucky people and winning people. Both are authentic and personal, steadfast and persistent, and trust their gut instincts. However, lucky people are more creative, intuitive, perceptive and reactive to chance opportunities, while winning people are more competitive, compulsive, obsessive and persistent. In essence, lucky people see

more chance opportunities to maximize their possibilities, often turning bad luck into good fortune, while winning people tend to apply their hard-working, resilient attributes one-or-more steps further and seal deals. As an experienced proposal writer who has won some and lost some, I know both my lucky and winning attributes have played a role in my success. My lucky attributes created a career specked with different avenues and networks for advancement, until I saw the cohesive thread of culinary nutrition which I was able to weave together and propel my career through my winning attributes. And I garnered this wisdom along the way:

SAGE ADVICE Dan Bauer, CEO and founder of The MBA Exchange (www.mbaexchange.com), an admissions and career consulting firm, is an MBA graduate of Harvard Business School. He is a trusted advisor to individuals seeking the best in business education and career planning. According to Mr. Bauer, four attributes of highly successful proposal writers are: 1. Demonstrated knowledge of the opportunity, organization, audience, etc. “Any communication that looks like a mass mailing is an instant turnoff. Decision makers want to feel that an applicant has thoroughly researched and considered the specifics of this particular opportunity rather than just lobbing a random, boilerplate application in hopes that it might have traction. Proposals -- at least successful ones -- are not lottery tickets.” 2. Relevant, if not prestigious, qualifications and credentials. “The more attractive an opportunity is, the greater the number and quality of those pursuing it. So, a quick and easy way for risk-averse decision makers to ‘cull the herd’ is to eliminate those proposal writers whose profile lacks credible academic and/or professional designations. The stronger the resume, the more attractive the candidate.” 3. Evidence of past or current impact in the same arena. “Offering success stories that can be confirmed by a third-party is a powerful tactic when pursuing an opportunity. This information can be presented in a number of ways, including case studies, reference letters, or links to published articles. Providing proof of performance makes it much easier for decision makers to confidently choose one candidate among many who are eager and qualified.”

4. Selfless motivation to benefit all stakeholders. “Conveying sincere enthusiasm, deep dedication and a compelling vision for helping others achieve their goals is the X-factor. The primary motivation for seeking an opportunity must not be perceived as self-serving. Rather, showing an unwavering commitment to the success of an organization and its constituents is a great way to distinguish a candidacy and win the competition.” Nancy Maragioglio is a senior acquisitions editor, Academic Press at Elsevier, one of the world’s largest publishers and providers of scientific, technical and medical information. She has over 25 years of experience in mass market, trade and STEM publishing, including ten years with the Academic Press Food Science book publishing program. Her background in book sales, marketing, content development and content acquisition has given her a strong appreciation for the full publishing process and she strives to make the process a career highlight for her authors. Ms. Maragioglio asserts,“Publishing a book is a tremendous commitment. It takes not just time and energy, but a clear vision and a passion for sharing that vision, knowledge and experience with others. Content [books, journals, blogs, etc.] communicated effectively changes lives. The ability of content to inform, inspire and instill is limitless and in the right hands, the right content can impact the world.”

Successful proposal writers have a unique skill set that combines knowledge, qualifications. experience to bring passion to their vision.”

TIMING MATTERS Given the luckiest scenarios and the most relentless determination, proposals may be heralded or rejected due to timing. Personal, professional or even environmental factors may interplay. “Timing is everything, and you can’t time anything,” says entrepreneurial Kimbal Musk.“So just try and be in as many places as you can at the right time.” Scott Kelley, of the Public Relations Office in the Nevada Governor’s Office, expresses similar views: “Luck and timing can play big roles in business. Experiencing bad luck can cause people to quit just before their lucky break arrives. On the flip side, businesspersons, athletes, and others can find good luck through hard work and perseverance. Then the key is recognizing

Continued on page 6

Maragioglio offers these attributes of winning proposal writers: 1.

“Deep knowledge of the available resources, the perceived knowledge gaps and why they are unfilled.

Proven experience and qualifications university or industry affiliations, positions in societies, involvement with journals, grants and previously published works.

Clear vision for, and explanation of, the proposed book, including how it will improve the reader’s ability to do their job.

Passionate about those their work will serve and a willingness to make the necessary sacrifices of time and energy to complete a book project on time and according to plan.

When comparing Bauer’s and Maragioglio’s thoughts about winning attributes that make up good writers, it’s apparent that they are on the same page.

DELEGATES CORNER

HOW TO HARNESS YOUR LUCK TO WRITE WINNING PROPOSALS

THE

Continued from page 5

IN ACTION:

LEVERAGE LOSS

ACADEMY

Continuing our Education with Appreciative Inquiry

Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND Delegate

Tell me about the best professional development course you’ve ever taken.

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” - Herbert Spencer

GROUP 2 (Appreciative inquiry)

During the fall HOD meeting, Gervase R. Bushe, professor of leadership and organizational development, provided an introduction to appreciative inquiry. According to Bushe, “appreciative inquiry (AI) is a post-modern approach to social science, a method for engaging a small or large group of people in studying the best examples of whatever they are interested in creating more of, and a dialogic approach to organization development and change.” Here is a sample exercise provided to us that illustrated the difference:

What makes for a great professional development course? GROUP 1 (Normal inquiry) nnWhat do you think are the qualities of a great professional development course? nnWhat do you think makes a professional development course awful? nnWhat would you recommend to someone preparing a professional development course?

nnWhy do you say this is the best course you’ve taken? nnWhat was it about you and others that made it so great? nnWhat does this story teach us about the qualities of a great professional development course? If you are interested in learning more about how to incorporate appreciative inquiry into your practice, you can find many examples of interview guides at: appreciativeinquiry.case.edu The Academy will be incorporating AI and you will start to see more requests to share your stories and create solutions for our mega issues. Please help the Academy take another step toward change as it will be a great learning opportunity for all of us!

Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND, is a funny speaker and stand-up comedienne. She is not just mildly amusing— she is really funny. Lisa was bitten by the comedy-bug at a young age, entertaining her family at the dinner table with knock-knock jokes. Soon she discovered SNL and would memorize many bits and made her siblings perform them. Today, you can find Lisa performing improvisational, sketch and stand-up comedy at private events and comedy clubs.

that lucky break when it comes and seizing the moment.” So, if an otherwise sound proposal is bypassed due to ill-fated timing, regroup for other windows of opportunity.

No matter how hard you’ve tried to follow lucky instincts, model winning attributes and seize the moment, failures happen. Before you feel discouraged and disinterested in moving on, Tjan, Harrington and Hsieh suggest you ask yourself questions such as these to leverage the loss*: 1.

Was this really your right path and if so, were your actions influential?

Were your benchmarks sensible and expectations reasonable?

Did you attempt everything possible and exhaust all conceivable approaches?

Are you over-thinking the short-term implications of your actions and, if so, discounting life lessons?

Are lessons to be learned from this setback, especially if out of your domain?

*Adapted by author. If you can answer “yes” to most of these questions and you still haven’t closed the deal, then maybe it’s a time for self-reflection, retreat, or even to consider a new direction. It’s likely that you’ll soon be back for more: another job, position, award, honor, book, speaking engagement or other opportunity awaits your revamped proposal. I always think that the next time will be different—that I’ll be luckier, winning-er, timelier and that I will not have to face defeat. My entrepreneurial spirit propels me to pen still another proposal. Lead with your heart, be smart, go with your guts, work like there’s no tomorrow and this just might be your time for Lady Luck, Winning Ways and Time Matters to converge to help you nab that winning proposal and sign on the dotted line. To receive credit for the CEU article: 1. Go to www.NEdpg.org and login. 2. Hover over Member tab and select “Newsletters”. 3. Go to CEU articles. Jacqueline B. Marcus, MS, RDN, LDN, CNS, FADA, FAND, is president/ owner of Jacqueline B. Marcus and Associates Food and Nutrition Consulting. Jacqueline consults, speaks and writes internationally and specializes in the interrelationships among food, nutrition and the culinary arts.With a new book (by Elsevier!) and numerous speaking engagements scheduled for 2017, Jacqueline practices what she preaches—including her role as NE Treasurer 2015-2017.

4 Ways to Get

CPEs for FREE

Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT Incoming Mentor Program Coordinator Let’s face it, we’re knowledge sponges! We always want to learn more, stay abreast in the field, and absorb all the new information we can. But oftentimes this can be at a high price, especially for those just starting out in business with little money to spare. Don’t fret. There are excellent resources available that allow you to keep your passion alive without paying a high price.

NE Resources Did you know that as part of your $35 fee to be a member of NE you have a plethora of resources available to get CPEs? Yep, in just this newsletter alone you have the opportunity to get three credits by educating yourself on the latest ways to improve your business and nutrition skills. You can also login to www.NEdpg.org and access the Member Webinar Library to view any of the recorded webinars for CPEs, up to a year postrecording.

Nutrition Based Websites

a. www.NutritionCME.org – This is a great resource for those looking for a refresher on clinical research and new findings as they relate to nutrition and health. b. Food & Nutrition Magazine – Recently, the Academy released a webinar on recipe development and writing. It’s a great, free resource that will help aspiring cookbook writers and recipe developers.

Food Companies Hang tight before you throw out the idea of sponsored content. There are reputable webinars that are funded by many of the key players in the food industry. Many are filled with great information, science-backed research, and led by many of our colleagues. Explore these CPE opportunities with an open mind before writing off a webinar sponsored by a company.

Non-Nutrition Events Don’t forget that sometimes those unique opportunities you partake in outside the nutrition bubble, like a video tutorial class or social media etiquette weekend, can often count towards your CPEs as well. Document, ask questions and make sure to make your time count.

Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT, is an outdoor fanatic. Being a SoCal lady, Liz enjoys hiking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting and pretty much any outdoor activity she’s in. Liz loves wrapping up her excursions by enjoying great food in whatever area she has landed.

SMART

Use the Strategy to Improve Business Skills in 2017 Susan Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LDN Technology & Social Media Chair Twenty-two million in 0.67 seconds! The results when I Google “New Year Resolution.” Do you make business resolutions only to see them deleted from your to-do list like yesterday’s email? Let 2017 be the year you improve your business skills using the SMART mnemonic. It’s been around but takes on a fresh feel as you filter what’s realistic against forget-about-it.

2017 SMART STRATEGY

Set Specific goals for your business. For example, instead of a broad goal to get more involved in social media, get on point and determine if Pinterest is right for your business. Should it be part of your social media plan?

Measurable. To determine your progress, you need a measure. In this example, Pinterest analytics (if you set up your account as a business) will provide insight as to followers, popular pins, website visits, etc. What will you look for? More traffic to your website from Pinterest followers? More orders?

Attainable. Realistically, do you have time to take on Pinterest? If not, do you have office staff who is knowledgeable to cover it? What about the dollar cost of your time?

Relevant. Does this business skill or Pinterest in this case matter? Does it mesh with your overall brand? Will a Pinterest profile and followers enhance what you do, increase your brand exposure and drive more business your way?

Time. Without a deadline, most new skills never happen. What is your deadline to start? What day(s) and times will you pin? When will you measure your progress via analytics?

Start 2017 using the SMART strategy and apply it to every business skill you consider. The move from a broad view to a focused view tightens up your business brand and strategies.

Susan Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LDN, FAND, is producer and host of the podcast Breaking Down Nutrition: Your Digest for What Works, What Doesn’t available in both medical professional and consumer versions. She’s never met a chocolate she doesn’t like, loves fashion and spends down time at the beach.

“Must-Have” Private Practice

RESOURCES Rebecca Bitzer, MS, RD, LD, CEDRD Private Practice Chair There’s no better source for private practice owners or wannabe owners to learn about private practice than to learn from Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who are in the trenches of their own nutrition counseling businesses. I am often asked as private practice chair, “Which books do you recommend for people in private practice?” Here is my go-to list of books written by fellow dietitians, including my own book: nnMaking Nutrition Your Business: Private Practice and Beyond by Faye Berger Mitchell, RDN, LD, and Ann M. Silver, MS, RDN, CDE, CDN. A must-read for anyone looking to start a private practice. nnThe Competitive Edge: Advanced Marketing for Dietetics Professionals by Kathy King, RDN. A complete resource guide for preparing for your future, including marketing and selling strategies. nnThe Entrepreneurial Nutritionist by Kathy King, RDN. A unique book that includes input from thousands of successful dietitians in private practice. nnPursuing Private Practice: 10 Steps to Start Your Own Business by Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CDE, CEDRD. Learn the ins and outs of private practice with business-savvy tips. nnWelcome to the REBELution: 7 Steps to the Nutrition Counseling Practice of Your Dreams by Rebecca Bitzer MS, RD, CEDRD; Kait Fortunato Greenberg RD, LD, CEDRD; Dana Magee RD, LD, CLT.

And of course, since it is important not to limit yourself to only knowing as much as other dietitians, I recommend these books when stating a private practice: nnEat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done In Less Time by Brian Tracy. One of the most effective resources for managing your time and accomplishing more. nnGood to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t by Jim Collins. Find out how your good company can achieve greatness. nnFeel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers. Concrete steps to overcome fear and start thinking positively. nnThe Time Breakthrough by Dan Sullivan. Learn to be more creative and more productive with the time you already have. nnStrengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. Learn your strengths so you can use them to execute your passion. nnPlease Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types by David Keirsey. Learn about your character and the character of those you work with. Being an avid reader helps tremendously with private practice. Another golden tip is to listen to business podcasts while driving, walking, running and even doing the dishes to help you sharpen your business skills.

Rebecca Bitzer, MS, RD, LD, CEDRD, is the co-author of Taste the Sweet Rebellion: Rebel Against Dieting workbook/ cookbook. Rebecca loves to try new things. If she has not done it, she is pretty open to jump in if given the opportunity.

Getting out of my grew my nutrition business Mandy Enright, MS, RYT, RDN Reimbursement Representative I love networking with my dietitian colleagues. Especially those with businesses and careers I admire. But had I not expanded my network beyond the dietitian world, I never would have grown as an entrepreneur. In March 2016, I hit a business rut. I was ready to expand outside my private nutrition counseling practice. My goal involved speaking engagements and corporate wellness, but I was unsure how to get my name out there since I primarily engaged with other dietitians. A client of mine shared how she frequently networked at her town’s Chamber of Commerce to promote her business and had experienced great success. I immediately found my local Chamber of Commerce website and attended a networking event the following week.

Did I walk into the event not knowing a single soul? Absolutely. Did I feel awkward being alone? Slightly. Until I started talking to another solo attendee. I told the person I’m a dietitian and was soon introduced to other health and wellness professionals within the Chamber. I joined the Chamber after that first meeting and was immediately invited to join more intimate networking groups where I am the only nutrition and fitness professional. Becoming a member of non-nutrition groups simultaneously grew my professional skills and business. I gained access to free resources including advertising, email blasts and SEO training. My elevator speech is perfected because I give it weekly. And when someone in my local community needs a nutrition professional for himself/herself or his/her clientele, I am top-of-mind for that referral. As a member of networking groups, I encounter countless entrepreneurs with the same goal: To grow our businesses smart and efficiently. We learn from successes and failures. Just because someone is not a nutrition professional doesn’t mean her/ his business model is unsuitable to our industry. In fact, gaining insights from other

businesses/industries is exactly what we need to stand out. Most important, the relationships I’ve developed are invaluable. I have made several new social media contacts. I quickly friended the lawyers to address my legal questions. The tech guys are my heroes. In return, I have been asked to give presentations, conduct menu analyses and write blog posts for local businesses. Had I stayed in my dietitian bubble, I never would have made these connections to grow my business in new and exciting directions. Try stepping out of your current nutrition/ dietetics bubble. As you expand your network, you never know who you’ll meet and where it can lead.

Mandy Unanski Enright, MS, RDN, RYT, creator of Nutrition Nuptials. Mandy is a yoga fanatic and constantly trying new adventurous forms. From acro yoga, to Stand Up Paddle (SUP) yoga, to aerial yoga, Mandy’s feet are very rarely on the ground. As a certified SUP, aerial and regular yoga teacher, Mandy is always ready to play. She is often called a mermaid due to her SUP yoga obsession.

Continuing Education is

FOOD FOR THE BRAIN Maria McConville, MS, RDN, CPT, CWC Secretary Continuing professional education (CPE) is food for the brain and we, as registered dietitian nutritionists, know that food is indeed good medicine. The breadth and depth of CPE options for dietitians not only help us to stay relevant in our field but plant seeds for additional services that we, as entrepreneurs, can offer to our clients.

physical activity. My maternal grandmother was a schoolteacher who loved to learn. She traveled to different cities several times each year to attend adult learning courses called Elderhostels. The topics of the programs she attended taught her much about culture, art, traditions, history, geography and nutrition, amongst other topics. From an early age, Nana set an example for her 17 grandchildren telling us to “Feed your mind with education” and “Take exercise on a daily basis.” No wonder Nana lived to a very sharp and healthy 97 years of age. [Be like Nana, and feed your brain.] Continued learning is definitely food for the brain.

Maria McConville, MS, RDN, CPT, CWC, is owner of Balanced Body Nourishment, LLC. In addition to guiding clients to find better health, Maria is passionate about helping them change their thought processes to become victors over life’s circumstances and manage stress. She finds her inspiration and enlightenment at her seaside home and you can find her each evening walking on the beach collecting sunsets.

My RDN registration, as well as my personal trainer and Wellcoach certifications, all require continuing education. Figuring out what CPE opportunities I want to invest my time, money and energy in can be daunting. As I consider CPE options, a process that works well for me is to categorize CPE programs into three areas before I make a decision:

1 2 3

Those that enhance the services that I can provide through my business or that augment the workings of my business, Those that teach me important information related to my business, Those that provide nice-to-know topics but don’t necessarily enhance my business offerings or skills.

This categorization process brings clarity to which programs will yield a greater return on investment. As dietitians we coach and counsel our clients about nourishing their bodies. Continued learning also nourishes the brain. The average lifespan has increased to about 79 years of age and with that increase is the number of people diagnosed with some form of dementia. Strategies to combat or delay dementia include mental physical fitness – activities such as sudoku, crossword puzzles, learning new skills and engaging in vigorous

Best Tips & Resources to Improve your Business and Your Nutrition Skills Chere Bork, MS, RDN Positivity Ambassador

They: nnThey give you answers nnCan help explain the past nnCan fill your mind with details which may be more emotion or blame than you need nnDo little to “forward” you

Three Questions to Ask Yourself When Life Gets Hard Everyone seems to need us and we are overwhelmed with our to-do lists. We are always searching for a new tip or trick to help improve our businesses and decrease our “over-whelm.” Maybe you skipped breakfast, you found out your colleague who is not a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is getting paid more than you are, a deadline was moved to 5 p.m. today and you forgot to bring your gym clothes to work out after work (again!). What do you do when life feels like too much? You use the number-one tool that can change your life and improve your life and your business. You ask questions! Start by taking a deep breath, put your hand over your heart and ask yourself these three questions:

nnSometimes cannot be answered

What Questions What questions help your brain act like a search-engine. What questions can be answered. Who, when, how questions can be answered too, but what questions force you to be specific. What questions help you look forward and not backward and help you see opportunity. These questions move you from trying to understand it to trying to solve it. What questions give you access to your wisdom. (i.e. - Why are you taking this workshop? vs. What do you want out of this workshop?) Your only limit is your desire. But the only way to identify your desire is to ask yourself what do I want? Go after what you want. The world needs the gifts only you have. Better get busy!

nnHow do I feel right now? nnWhat do I need right now? nnWhat do I want right now? Remember the number-one tool that can change your life is a question. The type of question is very important.

Why Questions Why questions gather facts but they don’t give you wisdom. Why loses its power to move you forward. (i.e. Why am I like this?) Why questions are called information questions.

Chere is the happy owner of www.Cherebork.com and is a Law of Attraction Facilitator, giving RDNs a big boost of confidence to live the lives they have always wanted. She enjoys coaching smart, savvy RDNs to greatness. Chere has a quirky habit of naming her possessions – her kayak is Bubba and her car is Ruby. She adores caramelized bacon and sea salt and vinegar potato chips (but perhaps not together). Her goal before she is 72 years old is to give a talk at every state Academy conference and to travel to Tuscany.

Product REVIEWS Parenting a Positive Reaction

Pursuing Private Practice 10 Steps to Grow Your Own Business

Rise & Shine: Better Breakfasts for Busy Mornings

Date: 2016

Author:

Date: 2016

Publisher: www.foodallergydietitian.com

Date: 2016

Publisher: Roost Books Boulder

Phone: 570-269-5924

Publisher: Parker Press Publishing

Price: $24.95

Price:

Price: $19.95

Are you one of those people who constantly skip breakfast? After reading Rise & Shine by Katie Sullivan Morford, that will change. This book takes you through the steps of what makes a good breakfast as outlined by a group of nutrition experts. The basic components of breakfast are included, and a handy “Remodel Your Breakfast” table will help make your traditional breakfast healthier. Also, throughout the book are “TIP” boxes with useful information such as how to stock your breakfast pantry.

Author:

Lisa Musician, RD, LDN

$15.95

You’ve been getting calls from parents asking how to manage their children’s newly diagnosed food allergies and keep them safe at school. You don’t specialize in food allergy but feel a need to give them some direction. This is the book you need. Registered Dietitian Lisa Musician shares first hand experience in her “everything you need to know” book for parents of food-allergic children. It’s not an easy task to prevent allergic reactions at home, and it’s more of a challenge when the food-allergic child is heading to school. Lisa shares expert tips to educate parents, prepare for school and avoid allergen-exposure situations. Eleven chapters contain important information on how to educate school staff, including cafeteria workers and bus drivers. Four keys to managing food allergies are outlined, including a sample emergency treatment plan. Several resources and checklists are included for parents to develop prevention skills. The book is reasonably priced and a must have for RDNs working with food allergy clients.

Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CEDRD

Starting your private practice is one thing, but how do you get potential clients to know you exist? Registered dietitian nutritionist Jennifer McGurk’s book Pursuing Private Practice, 10 Steps to Grow Your Own Business is a great step-by-step guide to answer many of your questions. This book will help you develop your practice with advice on branding, social media marketing, networking and more. The author includes details about marketing tools, accepting insurance and how much to charge clients for services. Once you have a growing business, Jennifer continues with guidance on growing your professional team. She uses herself and other dietitians in private practice to exemplify and contribute their personal experiences to enhance the content of what she is writing about in each chapter. Overall, the book is priceless to anyone in private practice. Reviewer: Mary Opfer, MS, RDN Title: Private Practice and Adjunct Professor Phone: 914-617-8585

Author:

Katie Sullivan Morford, MS, RD

The author is a registered dietitian nutritionist and busy mom, so she understands the time crunch. She sprinkles tips through the chapters about how to speed preparation along. As a registered dietitian myself, I appreciate the nutritional information throughout the book and I would recommend this cookbook not only to cooks with families but also to single people wanting to start the day off on the right foot. Reviewer: Peggy Korody, RD, CLT Title:

Food & Nutrition Consultant

Affiliation: RD4Health Nutrition Counseling, LLC

Reviewer: Debra Indorato, RDN, LDN, CLT

Address: P O Box 8646 Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Title:

Phone: 858-401-9936

Food and Nutrition Consultant

Affiliation: Approach Nutrition Address: 6434 Sunset Bay Circle Apollo Beach, FL 33572 Phone: 757-343-8873

GUEST ARTICLE

Non-Traditional Networking to Learn & Grow Your Business Jamie M. Marchetti, MS, RDN, LD We’ve all learned the importance of networking. The old adage often rings true – it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Networking events for dietitians and healthcare professionals absolutely have their place and are therefore common. However, perspectives from other professions, such as business, are valuable as well. The case could be that just having people who can serve as advisors outside of your expertise may be most useful. How do we access those other viewpoints? Consider any situation to be networking. Every person you meet may have something worthwhile to contribute to your career. Think of the many places you could meet

someone who would be able to assist you in developing business or nutrition skills, or connect you with someone who could. A few examples are: nnThe gym nnVolunteer activities nnChamber of Commerce events nnChurch One thing that makes these particular networking places great is that they are places where you could find yourself interacting with the same people repeatedly over time. The beauty of this is that you have the opportunity to get to know people who have something in common with you, permitting a more casual pursuit of networking connections.

Now, we can’t be “on” all the time, and certainly no one wants to be the person who talks only about her job and comes off as overeager to make connections. Often the topic of careers comes up when meeting new people, so take that opportunity to ask questions and really get a handle on what someone else’s strengths might be that could contribute to your own goals. Building these nontraditional networking relationships could be just the ticket to help you find someone to fill a specific niché in your career, and even have a link to refer you to other skilled individuals. At the very worst, you could make some interesting friends!

Jamie Marchetti, MS, RDN, LD, is a clinical dietitian in the outpatient and oncology settings, as well as a nutrition and wellness blogger and freelance writer. Her favorite pastimes include crocheting, dancing and relaxing with her dog, Gus.

GUEST ARTICLE

RD Cookbook Author Shares Tips for

Creating a Cookbook Jessica Jones, MS, RD, CDE I’m going to be honest with you. Writing a cookbook is hard work. Sure, we’d spent five years creating recipes for my online nutrition platform, but this was different. This was 100 original recipes that needed to be developed, written, tested and on our editor’s desk within three months. Cookbook creation is not for the faint of heart, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

HERE’S WHY: As RDNs, we are the perfect authority to show people that healthy can actually taste good. For example, instead of telling our clients to eat more vegetables, offering them healthy recipes makes them more likely to be

successful. What’s more, many cookbooks on the market don’t take the healthfulness of a recipe into account - which is unfortunate. If you have an interest in recipe development and creation, consider publishing a cookbook of your own. Here are three tips for making it happen. 1. Create an online platform. Our cookbook publisher reached out to us because we spent years building an online platform of 100,000 followers who liked our plant-based, budget-friendly recipes. Create a blog and cultivate an audience by publishing some of your own favorite healthy recipes. 2. Write your proposal. There are thousands of cookbooks on the market. To make yours stand out, create a proposal that details your books focus.

Are you an expert in vegan recipes? Peruvian cuisine? Find your angle and stick to it. 3. Get an agent. If you don’t want to wait for a publisher to reach out to you, consider an agent who can help shop your proposal around. Go to a local bookstore and pick out a dozen cookbooks published within the last year. Scroll through the acknowledgements section and take note of whom the author mentions as the agent. Look the agent up online and send the person an email.

Jessica Jones, MS, RD, CDE, is the founder of Food Heaven Made Easy LLC - an online resource for nutritious and delicious living - and an outpatient dietitian at a primary care clinic in Oakland, California. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys anything DIY, plants, listening to audio books and looking at open houses.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

for Continuing Education Alissa Smethers, MS, RDN, LDN Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are known for being the nutrition experts. This credential means that we have the skills and knowledge needed to share nutrition information with people to help them make better food choices. In order to stay on the top of our game, we need to attain continuing professional education (CPE). There are multiple resources available in order to complete the required 75 continuing education units (CPEs) that dietitians are required to complete over their five-year cycle. I will share just a few with you below.

1. Webinars: These are a great and easy way to get CPEs. There are webinars available on all topics, from networking to heart disease. 2. Conferences and Meetings: Going to events held by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietetic Practice Groups and other professional organizations is another way to complete CEU requirements. These events often have various options, from attending presentations to reading posters to exploring the exhibitions. Conferences and meetings provide a wealth of information and are a great place to network to find additional CPE opportunities too. The Academy’s next annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE®), will be held October 21-24, 2017 (and is the 100th anniversary), but

also keep your eye out for local, upcoming events throughout the year. 3. Self-Study Courses: If you are looking to enhance a particular set of skills, a selfstudy course may be the perfect CPE for you. There are courses that will teach you how to start a business to courses that will help you become ServSafe certified. The options are endless so think of a skill you have been hoping to strengthen and sign up for a course today.

Alissa is currently a Nutrition PhD candidate at The Pennsylvania State University where she is conducting research on childhood obesity prevention. Alissa previously obtained her Master’s degree in nutrition and completed a dietetic internship at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Alissa’s goal is to visit every national park in the U.S.

Ventures

www.nedpg.org

Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Alexandra Caspero, MA, RDN, RYT 7515 Teasdale Ave St. Louis, MO 63130

RECORDED WEBINAR CEUS CEUs are available for any recorded webinar for at least one year after the live date. To obtain CEUs for any recorded webinar, go to www.NEdpg.org and visit the Member Webinar Library. After you listen to the webinar, complete the survey found at the bottom of the Webinar Library page.

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