“Good ideas are not adopted automatically.
They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.” – Hyman Rickover

I have heard over and over that getting out and networking for some people is a very hard process; however, it is necessary for good business and should be practiced. The Crescenta Valley Chamber offers events for you to try new skills and get out and practice networking. Before you know it, you will be a professional networker.

There is an interesting article about networking on the University of California, Berkeley Career Center website. It starts out by stating that, “Networking can serve as a valuable strategy for getting a lead on a job, gathering information or catching the special attention of a company recruiter.” Even college students need to figure out the many benefits of networking and start practicing this skill set. The Berkeley site tells their students that, “As difficult or awkward as it may feel at first, the ability to meet and make a positive, professional impression on people will become ever more important as your career advances and develops.” This article can be found online at https://career.berkeley.edu/article/021011b.stm.

So if you have been out of college for a while, or even have never been to college, you can still start now to learn the importance of talking to strangers and ultimately networking.

Berkeley’s career website gives great tips, which work in any situation. One tip is that it is key to get mentally geared up before you even show up. Because your attitude often guides your behavior, you must overcome any negative self-talk that could hinder you from reaching out to others. So if you change your attitude from negative to positive, you can instead take the lead. Remember, people enjoy talking about themselves. Ask them questions to get them started. People feel flattered when you show an interest in them and their organization and they will reciprocate your demonstrations of sincere interest. You have more to offer others than you might think; just believe it.

You can practice your networking when you join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Copy Network. The ribbon cutting to commemorate this occasion will be on Friday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. and they are located at 3600 Ocean View Blvd. Everyone is invited to join us and congratulate the Copy Network on 20 successful years in business.

Are you a golfer, or know one? Want to help local high school students get money for college? You can do both by playing in our Scholarship Golf Tournament at the Verdugo Hills Golf Course on July 9. Visit our website or call our office for more information.

Hope to see you soon!

Important dates: June 17 – Ribbon cutting at Copy Network at 5 p.m.; July 4 –  Fireworks show at La Crescenta Elementary; July 5 – Dine Out Night at Frank’s Famous; July 9 – Scholarship Golf Tournament, Verdugo Hills Golf Course; July 13 – Business mixer at BIS Computer Solutions.
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.

Julia Rabago is the executive
director of Crescenta Valley
Chamber of Commerce.

  Business, CVCOC, julia rabago, JUNE 16