Often when a business person joins the Chamber, he or she automatically thinks, “Well, now I have joined the Chamber and the business will start flowing in. The phone is going to start ringing, so I will sit and wait for the Chamber to bring business to me.”
Nothing could be further from the truth. We at the Chamber provide the opportunities — roughly 320 opportunities each year — but it's up to you to leap into action.
While I truly believe that the Chamber works for you 24/7/365, the business owner must also take action. It is up to each individual business to put Chamber membership to work to get the most value.
So how does one exercise Chamber membership?
You can build a relationship with at least seven other people at the Chambers monthly First Friday breakfast. Where else can you go to breakfast with seven other people for $30? You get to visit with these seven other business people for at least 30 minutes, during which you may find you have something in common with the person sitting across the table, or that someone at your table knows the key contact of the business you have been trying to acquire for months.
Business may not come immediately; you need to first cultivate a relationship. People will do business with those they know and trust. Build a solid foundation of trust and integrity and watch your business grow. Don't be like the foolish man and build your business upon the sand! Build that foundation at the Carlsbad Chamber's First Friday Breakfast.
And don't bring your
blankiewith you. That means if you bring colleague with you, don't sit together. Double the opportunity to enhance your exposure. You are there to build your business and relationships. Have fun! Let people know who you are and how you do your business, but don't be a business card pusher.
At your First Friday Breakfast table there will be a Chamber member who has been through table facilitator training. He or she will act as host of your table. Your facilitator will give everyone an opportunity to do a 17-second commercial, pass out business cards, and then start the process of getting to know each person at the table. You don't have to worry about one person doing all the talking, as the host will make sure there is equal time shared among the table members. An added bonus of the First Friday Breakfast is a guest speaker with business or personal tips on how to build your business.
If you love the idea of business relationship building, you can also take advantage of the monthly Table for 8 program through the Chamber (Chamber members only).
The Table for 8 program allows members to get together for breakfast or lunch at a Chamber member restaurant for an hour and a half. It's Dutch treat and we arrange for you to get separate checks from the restaurant.
People are just more relaxed over a meal; I guess it is like breaking bread together. The Chamber schedules two Tables for 8 each month, hosted again by trained facilitators.
The First Friday Breakfast and the Table for 8 program helps remove the the stress of cold calling and you get to meet at least seven other people on a personal and business basis.
So, be the wise business person and build your business with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce — your Nordstrom brand of Chambers. We work to create a strong local economy, provide networking opportunities for our members, promote our community and advocate on behalf of your business.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We at the Chamber provide the opportunities — roughly 320 opportunities each year — but it's up to you to leap into action.
While I truly believe that the Chamber works for you 24/7/365, the business owner must also take action. It is up to each individual business to put Chamber membership to work to get the most value.
So how does one exercise Chamber membership?
You can build a relationship with at least seven other people at the Chambers monthly First Friday breakfast. Where else can you go to breakfast with seven other people for $30? You get to visit with these seven other business people for at least 30 minutes, during which you may find you have something in common with the person sitting across the table, or that someone at your table knows the key contact of the business you have been trying to acquire for months.
Business may not come immediately; you need to first cultivate a relationship. People will do business with those they know and trust. Build a solid foundation of trust and integrity and watch your business grow. Don't be like the foolish man and build your business upon the sand! Build that foundation at the Carlsbad Chamber's First Friday Breakfast.
And don't bring your
blankiewith you. That means if you bring colleague with you, don't sit together. Double the opportunity to enhance your exposure. You are there to build your business and relationships. Have fun! Let people know who you are and how you do your business, but don't be a business card pusher.
At your First Friday Breakfast table there will be a Chamber member who has been through table facilitator training. He or she will act as host of your table. Your facilitator will give everyone an opportunity to do a 17-second commercial, pass out business cards, and then start the process of getting to know each person at the table. You don't have to worry about one person doing all the talking, as the host will make sure there is equal time shared among the table members. An added bonus of the First Friday Breakfast is a guest speaker with business or personal tips on how to build your business.
If you love the idea of business relationship building, you can also take advantage of the monthly Table for 8 program through the Chamber (Chamber members only).
The Table for 8 program allows members to get together for breakfast or lunch at a Chamber member restaurant for an hour and a half. It's Dutch treat and we arrange for you to get separate checks from the restaurant.
People are just more relaxed over a meal; I guess it is like breaking bread together. The Chamber schedules two Tables for 8 each month, hosted again by trained facilitators.
The First Friday Breakfast and the Table for 8 program helps remove the the stress of cold calling and you get to meet at least seven other people on a personal and business basis.
So, be the wise business person and build your business with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce — your Nordstrom brand of Chambers. We work to create a strong local economy, provide networking opportunities for our members, promote our community and advocate on behalf of your business.