PHOTO: Social Media Bootcamp engages chamber members in learning more ways to grow their businesses, build relationships and stay connected.
SEATED: Carol Peters and Kelley Hinsperger, LaFontaine Automotive Group; Maureen Murphy Boyd.
STANDING: Jason T. Ryan and David Benjamin
It doesn't matter how or why you get involved. The important thing is that you are involved.
Business in 2010 is about relationships. That may not be unique for 2010, but it is definately true.
Relationships are about being involved.
Being involved is a coming together to work effectively, coordinating our efforts despite differences.
Review your current relationships and think about the new ones you will build this year with these simple principles in mind:
1. View everyone in positive terms.
Everyone you meet is a possible resource, some unexpectedly so. Treat others with dignity and respect. Take care with judgmental and negative opinions, your new acquaintance is listening to what you say and do.
2. Build trust
Your leads list and new contacts are the seeds you're planting. Business will eventually come from those seeds. To encourage growth, you need to nurture those seeds. Building trust is like adding nutrients to the field.
Do what you say you're going to do.
Don't over promise
Care about the other person--not just your business connection with them.
You can show you care by remembering important events, details, celebrations in their lives. Showing you remember demonstrates that you care.
3. Value the Process-not just the results
Being involved, cultivating relationships, building your business network takes time. It will seem many times longer if you don't learn to value the process, as well as the results.
When you think about it, it's the relationships, shared experiences, joys and sorrows that are most meaningful in our lives.
When I walk/ran my first marathon, the 11 months of training and 26.1 miles before we caught site of the finish line were more rewarding than that brief moment at the finish banner. The journey is a treasure in and of itself.
4. Invest for the long term
Some feel it would be nice if all you had to do was collect 100 business cards and get 100 contracts--Bam!
Being involved is a long term investment. Not something you do for a month or two (or a year) and then forget about. Long term strategies result in more solid growth. Long term strategies are more stable and less vulnerable to economic blips.
2010 is a new slate. You have the moment today to choose the goals you'd like to achieve. You have the moment--right now--to do something that steers you towards those goals.
Get involved. Attend a networking function. Join a committee. Volunteer. And I'm not just talking about Chamber activities here--GET INVOLVED where ever you are. Join in. Attend. Pull your chair up to the table.
2010 will be what WE make of it.
Business in 2010 is about relationships. That may not be unique for 2010, but it is definately true.
Relationships are about being involved.
Being involved is a coming together to work effectively, coordinating our efforts despite differences.
Review your current relationships and think about the new ones you will build this year with these simple principles in mind:
1. View everyone in positive terms.
Everyone you meet is a possible resource, some unexpectedly so. Treat others with dignity and respect. Take care with judgmental and negative opinions, your new acquaintance is listening to what you say and do.
2. Build trust
Your leads list and new contacts are the seeds you're planting. Business will eventually come from those seeds. To encourage growth, you need to nurture those seeds. Building trust is like adding nutrients to the field.
Do what you say you're going to do.
Don't over promise
Care about the other person--not just your business connection with them.
You can show you care by remembering important events, details, celebrations in their lives. Showing you remember demonstrates that you care.
3. Value the Process-not just the results
Being involved, cultivating relationships, building your business network takes time. It will seem many times longer if you don't learn to value the process, as well as the results.
When you think about it, it's the relationships, shared experiences, joys and sorrows that are most meaningful in our lives.
When I walk/ran my first marathon, the 11 months of training and 26.1 miles before we caught site of the finish line were more rewarding than that brief moment at the finish banner. The journey is a treasure in and of itself.
4. Invest for the long term
Some feel it would be nice if all you had to do was collect 100 business cards and get 100 contracts--Bam!
Being involved is a long term investment. Not something you do for a month or two (or a year) and then forget about. Long term strategies result in more solid growth. Long term strategies are more stable and less vulnerable to economic blips.
2010 is a new slate. You have the moment today to choose the goals you'd like to achieve. You have the moment--right now--to do something that steers you towards those goals.
Get involved. Attend a networking function. Join a committee. Volunteer. And I'm not just talking about Chamber activities here--GET INVOLVED where ever you are. Join in. Attend. Pull your chair up to the table.
2010 will be what WE make of it.
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