Chamber Small Business

More small-business owners, execs making deals outside office via chamber of commerce

Angelo Sansano wouldn't call himself an avid golfer, but on a recent Monday he took off from work, skipped dinner with the family and spent $485 -- all to play a round with a group of strangers.

Golf wasn't the attraction.

Sansano, a partner at a Dover insurance firm, was out to score some new clients the old-fashioned way: Face to face.

"I have to get out and meet new people," said Sansano, 40, between putts at the Morris County Chamber of Commerce's annual golf outing. "I've been out of the loop for awhile."

Whether it's golf, cocktails or lunch, the recession is heralding a return to hob-knobbing, that pre-internet art of courting potential customers in person. In recent months, dwindling leads from staples like advertising and referrals have forced many small-business owners out of reclusion, sending them to networking events in droves.

"We're seeing more people coming out than ever before," said Lynn Lagomarsino, the chamber's chairwoman. "People are looking for work, they're looking to renew relationships."

A record 128 small-business owners and executives showed up at the chamber's annual golf outing earlier this month. The turnout, a mix of members and non-members, surprised event organizers, who said last year's outing was so poorly attended it barely broke even.

Chambers across the state are noticing the same phenomenon.

Attendance at the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce's networking events has increased more than 50 percent since last year, said Chris Phelan, president and chief executive. The number of new members in recent months has also doubled to about 20 a month, he said, many of them smaller businesses that would not have considered joining before the recession because they didn't see networking as crucial.

"People are just putting a lot more face time out there," Phelan said.

As layoffs continue, there is also a shift in the type of members that are joining, said Marlene Waldock, president of the North Essex Chamber of Commerce, which serves nine municipalities. Despite the economy, the chamber's membership has stayed constant at about 375 as applications stream in from entrepreneurs and individuals planning career changes.

"They realize they absolutely need to be connected," Waldock said. "If you don't do that, you're in a vacuum."

Waldock said despite a drop in funding from corporate sponsors - to a projected $35,000 this year from $60,000 last year - the chamber has been holding more networking events to accommodate the growing demand.

Read full story [New Jersey On-Line]

Masterful Marketing – Donate a Prize, Giveaway or Auction Item

 A tremendous way to generate some low cost exposure and publicity for your company is to offer a sample of your product or service to organizations such as a local Chamber of Commerce.

Most Chambers sponsor golf tournaments, networking events, annual meetings, auctions, business expos, job fairs or other events that are ideally suited for your offerings, thus gaining some valuable exposure.

Note: Most Chambers require that your company is a member, which is also a great way to market yourself, network with other members and support the local business community.

You can find your local Chamber at ChamberFind.com       

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Chamber Of Commerce Meetings

If you run a small business you should be a member of the local chamber of commerce. Most cities which 50,000 people in them have 5000 small businesses. Yet these same cities only have 500-1000 people in their chambers of commerce. There are many reasons for this. Some say it is a huge expense, which is somewhat short sided because you will get a good return on your chamber membership business thru additional steady and loyal customers. Others negative comments might be, they never do anything for me. This to is an incorrect perspective in that you only get out what you put in or as JFK said, Ask not what your country can do for you. If you are a member of the chamber of commerce then you have an advantage over the 80 to 90 percent of the businesses who are not. If you participate you have another 80% advantage over other members who do not participate.

It is important to attend chamber of commerce meetings. Since most of the people at these meetings will already know you, they will typically engage you in conversation and this will prevent you from meeting new people. You should be careful to mingle and go out of your way to meet new people at mixers. It really helps to have more than one uniformed employee at a chamber of commerce meeting or mixer.

Another great idea is for you to go in and offer free certificates to your business. You can offer to do this for your fellow business person who cannot attend and ask them to do this for you on the meetings you have scheduling conflicts with. If you cannot make a meeting you can arrange to reciprocate at a later meeting. This works killer. It makes both of you look great and it permeates teamwork. It is what separates you from the competition. What competition? Huh, they are not even members of the local chamber of commerce. Think about it.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; WorldThinkTank.net. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Generate Leads with Your Local Chamber of Commerce

We've heard it before - networking is a fundamental element of building a business. What's a business without suppliers, customers and overall, a community of support? Large or small, businesses need to pay close attention to creating a world of reliable and valuable contacts.

For small businesses, in particular, there are resources dedicated to cultivating effective networks. First stop: your local chamber of commerce. Small businesses comprise the bulk of chamber of commerce membership in the U.S. In fact, almost 96% of U.S. Chamber member companies have fewer than 100 employees.

The primary goal of a chamber is to improve the business climate in a local area, typically through business networking, lobbying, and various business services. Businesses which belong to a chamber of commerce can range from a single-person shop to billion-dollar corporations. Chambers of commerce can also include economic development groups as well as tourism and visitors bureaus. Local chamber membership is completely voluntary and members are not obligated under a formal operations contract.

Why join?
Local chambers of commerce do more than provide an instant community. Many chambers offer special services particularly for small businesses, including operational "toolkits," health benefits, publications, professional development opportunities and discounts from a variety of sources, such as shipping and recruiting services.

Similarly, joining the local chamber makes a statement about you as a professional. Not only do you get to meet your local business community, you can use it in all of your promotional material.

As part of the chamber, you establish yourself as a certified business owner. People do business with those they know, like and trust. Chamber membership builds on all of these aspects. By being in front of the same group of people on a regular basis, you get to know them. Over time, this builds into a friendly relationship. As with any relationship, once people know and like you, getting them to trust you is the next logical step.

With the above in place, you can really maximize your chamber membership by getting members to do business with - and refer business to - you.

This leads to the final - and the most important - reason you should join your local chamber: referrals.

Chamber members are made up of businesses from the local community. Here you will find such diverse businesses as print shops, staffing agencies, real estate agents, insurance agents, mortgage brokers, catering services, marketing and graphic design firms, banks, etc. While all of them provide services, they also need services, or know someone who does. From tourists to new residents, people often call the local chambers for service referrals. As a member, you're able to be on the referral list and increase your customer base that much more.

If you're not already a part of your chamber of commerce, join now. It will only cost you a few hundred dollars a year and it will pay off. If you are already a member, participate!

Andrew Brown and Small Business Guru provide Coaching, Inspiration and Practical Advice for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. Subscribe to the free, weekly newsletter at small-business-guru.com

The Power of the Chamber of Commerce

The existence of chamber of commerce dates as far back as the 16th century and has since then maintained an essential role in business to business and business to consumer relations. Chambers strive to protect the concerns of its business members while maintaining the interest of the community as a whole.

While the chambers in the US must be registered, businesses are not required but are encouraged to join. Large chambers that work together are better able to protect the interest of its members, sway local business trends and even change the local community for the better.

This is able to highlight and support its particular local businesses such as startups which may help to pave the way for future success. Also, they can rally around a long standing company which may have deep roots but be experiencing hard times. On the opposite side chamber members can officially or unofficially blacklist certain local businesses or members they feel are counterproductive to developing a good strong local community, environment and economy.

With this power comes the responsibility to know your community. Know the foundations and the goals, and try to influence them for the good. Sometimes strictly looking at the business side of the community ignores such issues as the need to tear down a rundown building in order to build a community park. A farsighted plan is able to see the value in supporting something good for the communities which will in turn support the environment and the economy of that community.

The local environments are a difficult issue for local communities to tackle. The solving or correcting of bad business' environmental problems is costly and sometimes painful to confront. It may mean turning to a longstanding member of the chamber and urging them to stop a certain practice or even pursing legislative action.

When focused on building these strong communities and healthy environments chambers are in turn building the local economy. Furthermore, strong economies only get stronger when surrounded by these healthy communities. Take for example a chamber of commerce which commences a revitalization plan for a dying downtown, if they clean up the area and promote a sense of community with its inhabitants it will consecutively foster more and more business activities in that community.

One great way for a local chamber of commerce to rally its members together and connect with the community is to put on a local chamber of commerce trade show. Almost every chamber now has these trade shows since they are a great way for business to connect and actually see what other services and products other members offer. These shows also allow non-members to see the value being a member and also meeting other local business people.

Often non-profit or local organizations can reserve a trade show booth so that they can let a broader audience know their concerns. And since businesses are usually able to make a bigger impact, bending the ear of local business people is a great way to further your campaign for change.

Another great way to connect is simply hosting non-formal social events, such as having food and drinks at a local restaurant on Friday afternoon. Hosting these events is a great way for business people to connect in a more laid back and welcoming environment. Hosting such events captures a broader interest so more members are likely to attend, which promotes a sense of community among business owners.

Building a stronger chamber of commerce through having social events or putting on a trade show will in turn help foster a better chamber community. And that better community will be able to build a better community at large, a cleaner environment and a stronger local economy.

Andy Keeler is the owner of MODdisplays.com, an internet-based trade show booth sales company. While MODdisplays sells trade show products and exhibit accessories like trade show flooring on a national scale, the company is a strong supporter of local communities. They can be found online at: moddisplays.com

10 Ways Your Chamber of Commerce Can Help Your Business Grow

Joining your area's Chamber of Commerce can be a smart move for your home business. Because businesses that participate in this group promote each other and work together, your own business can grow and prosper quickly. Here are just a few ways you can benefit by joining your local Chamber of Commerce:

- If you make it known that your product or service makes great client or employee gifts, you could wind up with a very nice flow of business from your fellow Chamber members.

- You may be able to line up some lunchtime sales or parties featuring your products at local businesses to help employees with gift shopping (especially at Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day).

- You may qualify for less-expensive health insurance and business insurance available to Chamber of Commerce members.

- You can find out about local events where you might set up a booth and promote your business.

- You'll meet good, reliable sources for products and services like accounting, printing, computer support, etc.

- You'll be referred to other Chamber members' contacts.

- You have a good chance of meeting local retailers who may be interested in carrying your products.

- You'll have an opportunity to do joint ventures with other local businesses, such as cooperative advertising or trunk shows.

- Your business name can be associated with improving your community, since Chambers of Commerce generally work on civic improvement, legislation favoring local businesses, and economic development.

- You may have access to mentors who can help you develop your business; or you may be able to serve as a mentor to someone else.

These are just a few of the many ways your area's Chamber of Commerce can give you access to a valuable networking and marketing system. You can find your local Chamber of Commerce in the business listings of your phone book.

About The Author - Rena Klingenberg is a jewelry artist and small business owner. Her websites, trade-show-booth-display.com and home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com, are filled with new success tips and articles to help other small businesses market their products.

Why are Chambers a good launching pad?

Chambers provide you with more ways to get to know the business community than most organizations. I was once elected President of a Chamber and the Board strived to get businesses involved with each other. One of the mandates was to make sure that we had opportunities for networking and socializing both between members and with other Chambers. We often put on professional development talks. A good example of how a Chamber helps the business community is through it's involvement with the city in which it resides. The Chamber gives you a voice in the community and further aids you by allowing you to advertise in its publications.

Many people have told me that their Chamber is useless because the businesses that belong to it are too small. This may be true in some respects, but Chambers also have large corporations as members, and this is especially important if they are involved in the community. For example, the Chamber in San Ramon, California, counts Chevron Texaco as a member, and they are deeply involved in the community. The Chamber recently sponsored awards at which two employees from Chevron Texaco were honored for their commitment to the community at large. You should never downplay an organization that provides so much service to the business community.

Chambers also offer a venue for speakers. They will often put on a professional development series for members. Even though these events usually only draw 25 or 30 people, those that attend often tell others about the success of the event. You really need to get involved and make the most of what is there for you.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people’s attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the “Networking Queen”. Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit BlueprintBooks.com

How Local Chamber of Commerce Help Grow Your Small Business

Boards of Trade along with Chambers of commerce are those organizations with local, regional, national, international and bilateral representation or Chambers, forming a global business network, which their primary goal is to improve the business climate in a locality. Hence, the local Chamber of Commerce can help you grow your own small business.

From business cards to common projects and a broad range of services, the Chamber of Commerce is a good opportunity to promote your business. There is a misconception regarding these organizations, which prevents many home business owners from joining, because typically it is believed that only mid-size and large companies can become members.

Small businesses can join their local Chamber of Commerce to prosper quickly, promoting each other and working together toward common goals. Business cards are the best way to show that you belong to the Chamber, which aids in improving your opportunities to close deals easily.

Your Chamber of Commerce may bring you many other associated benefits and the opportunity to attend events with other small businesses where you will be able to set up a booth to promote your products or services, as well as exchange your business cards with visitors and other businesses.

Furthermore, as a member of the local Chamber, you can qualify for low cost health and business insurance, and have access to the small business consultant's office, where mentors can help you develop your own strategies, and over time, you can become a mentor yourself.

Through your local Chamber of Commerce, you can be referred to other Chamber members. You need to make sure there are enough business cards in your pocket when you meet them at events such as lunchtime sales or parties featuring new products or services for local small business' owners.

You will be able to meet excellent, reliable sources for particular products and services to improve your business performance, including printing, computer support, accounting etc., as well as retailers who may be interested in carrying your products and promoting your offers. Giving them your business cards can aid in receiving more clients, customers, and of course will build your business faster and efficiently.

Small businesses, which collaborate with other local businesses, usually benefit from having their name associated with improvements to community and commerce activities, since most Chambers of Commerce support or are involved generally work on civic and economic improvement.

In addition, remember the cooperative advertising through the Chamber's trunk shows, where you can pass along your business cards, which will translate, into sales and success. However, if you do not feel qualified to participate, there is always the possibility to hire a charming representative for your small business.

Natalie Aranda writes on business and marketing. Small businesses, a chocolate shop or computer repair shop, can join their local Chamber of Commerce to prosper quickly, promoting each other and working together toward common goals. Business cards are the best way to show that you belong to the Chamber, which aids in improving your opportunities to close deals easily.