The Mistakes to Avoid

“The richest people in the world look for and build networks; everyone else looks for work.”
Robert Kiyosaki

In a small town such as the Crescenta Valley, the Chamber of Commerce is one of the best places to start to look for and build your network. However you really cannot just pay your dues and expect something to happen. You really need to make being active part of your strategic business plan. The best way to leverage your membership dollars is by getting involved and choosing activities that help you meet people, give you visibility and showcase your character and competence. People want to do business with people they know and trust.  There is no better way to gain their trust than by working side by side on a project that benefits the community. The side benefit is that it will be providing more value to you, as the team members you are working with get to know and respect your hard work and dedication.

Here is an excerpt from “Make your Contacts Count” by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon:

The Twelve Biggest Mistakes Members Make:  1. They join, but don’t go. They show up so sporadically that they can’t reap the many benefits of membership. 2. They appear, but don’t interact. They eat another olive, listen to the speaker, and leave. 3. They skip the networking portion, arriving just in time for the meal. They duck out just as the speaker finishes. Then they wonder why networking doesn’t work out for them. 4. They talk and sit with people they already know. 5. They make no effort to be visible; instead, they try to blend into the crowd. 6. They wait for others to make the first moves. 7. They think handing out business cards is networking. 8. They give up too soon. They hop from one organization to another, never giving themselves or others time to establish relationships. 9. They have “non-conversations.” (“Hi, how are you?” “Not bad. How are you?” “Not bad. What’s new?”) They never get around to productive conversations. 10. They arrive without an agenda. They come without any idea of what they have To Give or what they want To Get. 11. They are unaware of “netiquette” within the group. They violate “good networking” protocols. 12. They forget that the best way to show character and competence is to contribute time and energy.

Hopefully you will join us on Oct. 10 at Bonners Party Rentals, 6935 Foothill Blvd., in Tujunga for a networking mixer where you can make sure you do not make any of the 12 mistakes. Our mixers are open to members and non-members and they are a great place to meet and mingle with 60-70 leaders and business owners of our community.

Hope to see you there.

Important CV chamber dates: Oct. 10 – Business mixer at Bonners Party Rentals.  Nov. 14 – Taste of The Foothills.

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