Archive for January, 2009
TIE DC
Last year, in December 2008, I joined the board of the TIE DC. After I updated my LinkedIn profile, a number of friends called me to learn more. So, here is the upshot. TIE was founded in 1992, in Silicon Valley, by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. The organization has gone global since then. There are currently more than 12,000 members and over 1,800 charter members in 53 chapters across 12 countries. TIE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TIE’s focus is on generating and nurturing our next generation of entrepreneurs. Besides its flagship event, TIECon – the largest professional conference for entrepreneurs, TIE now has a wide range of programs including Special Interest Groups (SIGs), TIE Institute, Deal Flow Meetings, TIE Young Entrepreneurs, and, most recently, TIE Women’s Forum and CEO Forum. The DC chapter of TIE hosts a number of interesting events throughout the year:
1. Charter Member Events: These are exclusive events limited to highly accomplished TIE members – so called Charter Members. Typically, these are CEOs, executives and other accomplished professionals in the DC area. Some of these events are formatted as Black-Tie receptions, dinners or retreats. Spouses are welcome to join giving the networking events a more personal touch.
2. Emerging Entrepreneur Events: These thematic events are geared specifically towards emerging entrepreneurs. The events take place either as a reception, breakfast, luncheon or workshop.
3. Open Networking Events: At open networking events TIE is featuring a high profile guest speaker or a panel of experts. For instance our Crystal Ball Series is always very well attended. In past events the future of the Telecommunication and Health Care industry were discussed by recognized business leaders from this area.
In addition to these events, TIE DC is also supporting a variety of programs to help young entrepreneurs get started.
1. VC Elevator Pitch Dinner: Leading VCs provide candid feedback to entrepreneurs on how to improve their pitch. It helps our members put together effective business plans and presentations.
2. Big Brother/Big Sister Mentoring Series: Established business leaders serve as the big brother or sister to an upcoming entrepreneur. They give them advice on things like how to become more effective in sales or how to sort through operational issues.
3. TIE-Smith Fellowships: This is a joint venture between TIE DC and the University of Maryland’s Smith School of business. This program selects fifteen (15) or more fellows each fall to complete a vigorous course led by the Smith faculty and the region’s leading entrepreneurs.
I was introduced to TIE DC through a personal friend. There are a number of real benefits that our members can enjoy other than participating in above events and programs:
1. Access to a global business network: There are cross-chapter events, like TIECON that allow for professional networking. Every Charter Member is welcome to go to any event in the other TIE chapters. Also, there is TGS (TIE Global System) which enables charter members worldwide to access the collective knowledge base and information wealth of our membership.
2. Families are welcome: TIE is one of the few organizations I belong to that make it a point to include families in activities and events. We all are busy and have hectic lives. So, it’s a refreshing approach to bring our spouses and kids to informal gatherings.
3. Access: TIE DC provides access to the fast growing economy of India through its well-established alliances with other networks and through the personal connections of our members. Moreover, this year the DC chapter will push even further to enhance the access to the U.S. government. This chapter is uniquely positioned to play this role given its local proximity to major government organizations. A number of our charter members are actively conducting business with the US government in one form or the other.
After going to a few meetings I joined as a Charter Member. I would suggest that this is probably the best way to get to know this organization. If you would like to become involved, simply look us up at TIE DC or TIE Global. Of course, don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.
