Comfort Zone? Overrated!

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.”  Brian Tracy

How is business? Could you use more? Most successful people would tell you that networking is one of the most important keys to success in business. Successful networking is all about building sincere relationships based on mutual generosity.  However, for some people networking is elusive, intimidating and uncomfortable. Does the thought of networking turn your stomach or give you a feeling of inadequacy or even worse – just stop you in your tracks? Your best bet is to change net-‘working’ to net-‘mingling’ in your mind. Tell yourself that you have been invited to a party, a party in which you get to meet new people, new friends and new associates. Do not think of this as a chore but an opportunity. These are not strangers but new friends.

If you are still intimidated by walking into this room of strangers to try this thing they call networking or hereby net-mingling, here are some tips that might help: 1) Invite a friend or trusted associate to go with you. It is always easier to walk into a room with another person, but do not get caught up with talking only to this person all night. 2) Smile. A simple smile will invite people to talk to you. 3) Ask questions. People like to “help” others or offer information. Ask people about their businesses and then make sure you listen.  Remember, listening to others is far more powerful when first meeting people than talking about yourself. People that you listen to will know that you care and thus know you must be a good person. 4) Bring your business cards and ask others for their business cards. Have a pen handy and jot notes on the other person’s business card about things you discussed. 5) Follow up in 2-3 days. Send an email or make a phone call telling them how nice it was to meet them and how you enjoyed hearing about that new product, or about that trip they told you about or their dog that had puppies (or whatever you jotted down on the back of their card.)

Congratulations … This could be the start of a new friendship, new business associate or a new client.

The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce has a great way for you to try these new, simple ideas. Join us in welcoming a new business to our community. You are invited to Surface Fitness for its ribbon cutting ceremony this Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m.  They are located at 3470 Ocean View Blvd., just below Honolulu Avenue. Surface Fitness is a unique and innovative fitness program for kids of all ages that combines physical fitness and conditioning with learning how to live a healthy life style and the benefits of high-quality nutrition. Hope you stop by and welcome this new business while working on your net-mingling!

Important dates:  May 18 – Ribbon cutting Surface Fitness; June 10 – CV Chamber business mixer at Caspian Services.

Please contact our office for more details on any event. How to reach us: (818) 248-4957/ crescentachamber@aol.com / www.LaCrescenta.org / 3131 Foothill Blvd., Ste. D.

  melinda clarke