1.
ATTEND!
It seems so simple, yet can get so
complicated. It often helps to plan ahead. When you get the email invitation,
go ahead and click “Register Online”. We’ll send you a reminder the day before.
You’ll also get a confirmation, and if you use Outlook for email and calendars,
you can click an option on your confirmation to “Add to Calendar”. Put it on
your schedule and you’ll be much more likely to make it. Typically Business
After Hours is held the second Tuesday of each month except for January.
2.
BRING
BUSINESS CARDS Don’t you hate it when you tell someone about what you do
and they seem really excited because they/their mother/their secretary/their
next-door-neighbor’s son’s best friend/etc. have been looking for someone that
does exactly what you do and you begin to cringe inside because you know the
next words coming are “Do you have a business card?” and all of yours are in
your desk/car glove box/still at the printer/can’t remember where they are? And
even if you get their card and email them about it first thing the next
morning, you know more than likely the moment is gone. It may even make you
seem unprepared. So don’t forget the business cards – and remember; they’re not
just needed for registering for the door prizes! It’s also wise to bring a pen
and something in which to collect business cards you receive, as well. Use the
pen to make important notes about each new connection on the backs of their
cards that you’ll want to remember later.
3.
BRING A
COWORKER, BUT DITCH THEM WHEN YOU ARRIVE We love helping build networks,
but you already know the guy in the office next to yours! Don’t sit with them.
Don’t mingle with them. Heck, don’t even talk to them once you get there! You
can do that at the water cooler tomorrow when you’re telling them all about the
new connections you made. Business After Hours is a social event, but to fully
grasp the benefit you’ve got to break out of your existing network stream and
start swimming in the ocean of new business that awaits you.
4.
INVITE A
FELLOW CHAMBER MEMBER YOU’VE BEEN WANTING TO MEET So making that phone call
to invite a stranger to lunch or ask for a meeting might feel weird sometimes.
What if you call to introduce yourself, tell them you’ve been hoping to meet
some fellow chamber members, and ask them if they’re planning to attend
Business After Hours? It’s a neutral playing field for everyone, and if there’s
no business spark there are plenty of other folks for you both to concentrate
on instead.
5.
FOLLOW UP
Don’t wait for another month to pass and hope to see them at the next Business
After Hours (although we hope we see both all you at the next Business After
Hours). Within a few days of meeting, give your new connection a call or send
them an email. Let them know you’re available to help or that you enjoyed the
conversation or that you need their help! Most of all, let them know you
appreciate the opportunity to meet and expand your network and that you do look
forward to seeing them again. If your company has an event planned, invite
them! Or maybe now a business lunch wouldn’t seem so out-of-the-blue.
Always remember that networking isn’t about finding a
customer, it’s about building a relationship. If you’re attending Business
After Hours to gain a customer you’re selling yourself short. There’s a saying
that says “Gain a customer, you can eat today; gain a relationship, you can eat
for live.” The point is to be authentic, ethical and dedicated in your business
relationships and even if you don’t “get the client”, the client may refer you
to bigger and better things when they know your integrity.
Don’t forget to thank
the sponsor(s) each month! They’re investment and desire to bring you to their
business or booth has made your networking evening possible! Always make a
point to listen to the announcements – and especially the sponsors’ remarks!
It’s just good manners, after all!
Last, several people ask if their name is in the pot for the
Chamber Cash Carryover each
month. The short answer is: if you get
an electronic invitation that asks you to register online then, yes, your name
is in the pot! The long answer is: every member representative who receives an
invitation also has their name in the pot. You must be present to win, and the
reason EVERY representatives name is in the pot is because we want EVERYONE to
attend! If we only drew among those in attendance (and we didn’t have Mike Self
of Generations Bank sweetening the pot) it would never grow to amounts like
$1500!!! So keep coming! It improves your odds.
Business After Hours
is a benefit of Chamber membership and is extended to representatives
designated by respective members. Businesses or individuals interested in
membership may attend one event as a guest of The Chamber by registering with a
member of our sales team, Jeanne Edge or Donna Patterson, at 256-543-3472.
NO WEAPONS ALLOWED SIGNS - Free To All Businesses
"No Weapons Allowed" and "Weapons
Permitted" signs are available now at the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.
The front office will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and will be
available in dispatch on Saturdays and Sundays.
(Click on any of the underlined listings for more
information)
RIBBON CUTTINGS/GRAND OPENINGS
MEMBER EVENTS
CHAMBER EVENTS
9/10 - Business After Hours, Events on Court and Cothran's Bakery present "A New Orleans Garden Party", at Events on Court, 5:15pm.
Member Job Postings
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