Message From The Chairman

Time is just flying by. Before you know it, Spring will be real, not just a date on the calendar, but the real thing with warmer temperatures and better, more fun attitudes. Let's go fishing...for business, that is.

Last month's Chamber luncheon was really neat. Yes, I like it when we have a great speaker, but my favorites are the luncheons with wall-to-wall networking. I just love talking with and listening to people. You know how I love to talk. I'm really fond of forming relationships with folks about anything, especially over business. Their business and ours.

I have a suggestion about networking. Next time you collect a bunch of business cards at a Chamber event, select two or three and promise yourself that you will get a referral for those people within the next month. Log the info from their cards in your database or roladex. Then keep those three cards with you wherever you go. When you run into someone who needs the services or products of one of those three, give them the business card and also get theirs. Tell that person, "If you don't mind, I'll have my friend call so you can set up something." Then call your friend or meet with them and give them the card of the person they need to call. I'll betcha that person will now be looking for the chance to pass a real referral to you. It works big time, and in business, it's a fantastic way to form relationships more solidly. To be referring business like this, you need to get to know the people you're sending the business, know the kind of work they do and you'll be really comfortable sending referrals to them.

Just meeting and getting to know fellow Chamber members will help you get business, but forming relationships that have you looking and working to send members quality referrals, cements business friendships.

See you at the next Chamber event? I hope so.