In lieu of my typical columns about the power of positive thinking, I want to take this opportunity to let you know what your chamber is doing to help you through this year's rocky economy.
No one knows when the turnaround will occur, so we have put several programs in place geared toward helping you through the minefield called an economy. We know that business owners and managers need to get advice, but when money is tight, knowledge is hard to come by.
The following are a few new programs in the formation and testing stages here at the chamber:
• Pathways to Success, This CEO roundtable-like gathering was formed to allow a facilitator to guide a dozen or so group members through a myriad of problems and solutions on a monthly basis. The confidential dialogue is meant to allow members to bring ideas, problems and solutions to the meeting to give each member a chance to gain valuable and timely knowledge, and information about their businesses. A second group is now being formed.
• Referral Partners, This is a pilot project that brings likeminded members together to generate and share referrals. This netweaving concept teaches its members how to build trust between themselves, their customers and each other. It operates like a business brokerage, where one member introduces another to potential sales of their product. All of the members of the group serve as a sales force for every other member. There is nothing more powerful than doubling and tripling your sales force without the expense of actually hiring employees. Each member is an extension of the other members' sales forces. In early reports, this group is turning out to be very beneficial to all who are involved. Additional partner groups will soon be formed.
• Sustainability Committee, This committee is made up of environmentally spirited business men and women. Formed nearly a year ago, the initial idea was to research the necessary ingredients for the chamber to be able to certify businesses for being sustainable through a series of processes and requirements. The committee has put together a checklist and scoring sheet to allow interested businesses to qualify. The committee awarded its first sustainability certificates at the chamber's Green Business Showcase March 13. Green businesses tend to buy from other environmentally-oriented companies.
Our government leaders are trying desperately to create programs that help bring us out of the worst recession in 50 years. However, most experts believe that if we want the turnaround to be hastened, it has to be done by each one of us.
When we reduce or begin to control our FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real), the economy will turn the corner. The chamber's staff, board of directors and hundreds of volunteers are devoted to helping you through these tough times.
If you have ideas or suggestions about other programs, please don't hesitate to call me at (760) 931-8400 or e-mail me at [email protected].
No one knows when the turnaround will occur, so we have put several programs in place geared toward helping you through the minefield called an economy. We know that business owners and managers need to get advice, but when money is tight, knowledge is hard to come by.
The following are a few new programs in the formation and testing stages here at the chamber:
• Pathways to Success, This CEO roundtable-like gathering was formed to allow a facilitator to guide a dozen or so group members through a myriad of problems and solutions on a monthly basis. The confidential dialogue is meant to allow members to bring ideas, problems and solutions to the meeting to give each member a chance to gain valuable and timely knowledge, and information about their businesses. A second group is now being formed.
• Referral Partners, This is a pilot project that brings likeminded members together to generate and share referrals. This netweaving concept teaches its members how to build trust between themselves, their customers and each other. It operates like a business brokerage, where one member introduces another to potential sales of their product. All of the members of the group serve as a sales force for every other member. There is nothing more powerful than doubling and tripling your sales force without the expense of actually hiring employees. Each member is an extension of the other members' sales forces. In early reports, this group is turning out to be very beneficial to all who are involved. Additional partner groups will soon be formed.
• Sustainability Committee, This committee is made up of environmentally spirited business men and women. Formed nearly a year ago, the initial idea was to research the necessary ingredients for the chamber to be able to certify businesses for being sustainable through a series of processes and requirements. The committee has put together a checklist and scoring sheet to allow interested businesses to qualify. The committee awarded its first sustainability certificates at the chamber's Green Business Showcase March 13. Green businesses tend to buy from other environmentally-oriented companies.
Our government leaders are trying desperately to create programs that help bring us out of the worst recession in 50 years. However, most experts believe that if we want the turnaround to be hastened, it has to be done by each one of us.
When we reduce or begin to control our FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real), the economy will turn the corner. The chamber's staff, board of directors and hundreds of volunteers are devoted to helping you through these tough times.
If you have ideas or suggestions about other programs, please don't hesitate to call me at (760) 931-8400 or e-mail me at [email protected].