Did you think I meant engaged to be married? Be still my heart, but no, not that kind of engaged.
This week I'm sorting through, throwing out, straightening up and filing away piles of stuff that have been neglected for too long. That leaves a lot of time for random thoughts about getting engaged, making a commitment, getting in gear, making a promise.
Getting engaged in the Chamber Connections newsletter
I love to include news about what you are all doing. Most of the time when you send me blurbs I’m good about putting them in the appropriate newsletter folder. Sometimes I’not. If your blurb is missing send me an email so I can add it to the next newsletter if it was not a time sensitive blurb. And if it was, I’ll be happy to add a blurb recapping the event instead.
You can help me by sending your blurbs: 1) as a separate email with a subject head that lets me know it belongs in the newsletter, not as a reply to one of my newsletters and 2) in the body of an email, not as an attachment or as an email campaign.
Getting in gear with networking
As my friend Bozena would say, “I tell you a truth.” Networking does create business opportunities. Getting out there and meeting people and getting to know them over time really does work. Think about it. If you’re getting ready to design a website, wouldn’t you probably turn first to someone you know personally because either s/he does that for a living or has hired someone who has done a great job on theirs? I know I would. If you suffer from chronic back pain, wouldn’t you be more likely to trust an acupuncturist, a chiropractor or a massage therapist you have met than a stranger you find in the yellow pages? I now I would. If you wanted to get fit (especially after holiday indulging), wouldn’t you want to work with someone from a fitness or yoga center or a dance or fitness coaching program that you feel comfortable with because you have already met them? I know I would.
Let me put it another way. If you are not putting yourself in the mix in as many different ways that you can and your colleague or competitor does, which of you will be top of mind when someone needs your service and wants to make a purchase?
Making a commitment to get the most out of your investment
I tell you another truth. You will get out of the Chamber what you put into the Chamber. I’ll admit that just paying your dues and doing nothing else gets you something: a listing at www.arlcc.org and in the Chamber Directory, a referral when someone calls the Chamber asking for the names of restaurants, plumbers, accountants, contractors, graphic designers, movers, etc., as well as access to group rates for health insurance.
Yet there is so much more that you can take advantage of. The caveat? You have to make a commitment to get involved. You have to call for the SCORE appointment. You have to register and attend the breakfast seminars or the networking events or our new “coffee’s on us” program. You have to send us your news. You have to volunteer for a committee.
Making a pledge
I promise you that the Chamber will do its best to help you sustain and grow your business in any way that we can. In 2009, look for more relevant programming, frequent opportunities to connect and be introduced and the critical resources that you have come to rely on and that you can take advantage of all year long.
Happy New Year! And if you want to see the Chamber's office in pristine condition, make it quick, because I can't promise how long it will stay this neat!
