Did you see what is enclosed with this
newsletter?
TAKE
A CLOSER LOOK.
C’mon, get closer. And
closer. And closer.
Because what you think you see is not
always what you’re going to get. And when it comes to investing in membership
events, what you get should be way more—and way better—than what you see.
That’s why you need to CHECK REFERENCES
before you sign that contract or write that check.
That’s also why you need to CHECK OUR
REFERENCES because Your
Chamber Connection consistently delivers service, results, and integrity that others
can’t, don’t, or won’t.
Had a bad experience with a chamber
membership development business? Sadly, you’re not alone, but don’t throw out
the baby with the bath water. Instead, magnify your focus so you know up front
that you’re making the right decision.
We invite you...no, we encourage
you...to compare us, our reputation, and our performance to any of our
competitors, because
no one measures up to Your
Chamber Connection. No one.
NET-WORKING DEPT: Have you heard of Speed Dating? Sure you
have, but have you heard of SPEED NETWORKING? Probably not.
Speed Dating is
set up to get singles to meet a large number
of other singles and to find out if there is any chance they are compatible
with one or more of them. They pay a small fee to the organizer to run around
meeting others of the opposite sex and give a three minute, encapsulated bio of
themselves, and in return hear three minutes from the
other person. If they feel a match, they exchange telephone numbers. At the end
of three minutes, a bell rings or a whistle blows to signal them to move on to
the next person in the group, and the schmoozing goes on for another three
minutes until the next signal. So it goes until everybody has had their three
minutes.
SPEED NETWORKING is the brainchild
of a couple of entrepreneurs from
For a fee of $40 per participant, they
fill a room with a variety of businesses and their representatives. They set up
a double circle ring of chairs and seat everybody. At a signal (usually a
whistle), the person in the outer circle has 90 seconds to explain his or her
business service or opportunity to the person opposite him or her in the inner
circle. At the end of 90 seconds, the whistle blows once, and the inner circle
person has his 90 seconds. At the end of that 90
seconds, two whistles are heard, and the inner circle people get up, move to
the right to start the information verbiage once more.
Instead of a group getting together for
casual meet and greet, possible networking, or spending a lot of time with
someone who can be of absolutely no benefit to you or vice versa, you spend a
short period of time really networking with EVERYBODY there.
According to the report I heard, this is a win-win
for all.
A Chamber could still have its monthly
after-hours programs for congeniality and networking and also conduct quarterly
SPEED NETWORKING for real networking and NON DUES INCOME.
MORE NETWORKING DEPT: At the recent A.C.C.E. Conference in
In the book and at the conference, Darcy
answered two questions:
1. WHY NETWORK?
“Networking is the art of building relationships, yet
it remains an underappreciated leadership skill. In most books on leadership,
networking hardly rates a mention, but no business can flourish without the
connectors – the rainmakers – those people who build and maintain the most
important relationships. It all comes down to a simple concept: People do
business with those they know and trust.”
2. WHAT’S POSITIVE NETWORKING?
“Let’s face it, networking gets a bad rap. That’s
because most people think networking is about selling themselves,
pitching their product, or getting business leads. In our book, that’s negative
networking. Positive networking, The Frog and Prince brand of
networking, is the opposite. It’s not all about you. The seminal secret of
positive networking is discovering what you can do for someone else. The
magic is that if you start networking this way, it will take all the pressure
off. People stop selling themselves, start listening and focusing on the other
person.”
Darcy added a great handout out to the attendees. It was a booklet
based on his book with 88 Positive Networking Tips™, and it had some
great ideas. Such as; #36 – The Power of Questions: One of the most powerful ways
to meet new people is to ask a question in front of a large group. Sit up front
and to one side so most of the audience will see your face when you stand to
ask a thoughtful and concise question. State your name and organization. Congratulations, you have just introduced
yourself to everyone in the room.
Or; #58 – Don’t Make
Assumptions: When meeting a couple, make sure that you give your card to both
people, and ask each of them for a card in return. Not doing this may give the
impression that one of them isn’t worthy of your attention or interest.
All 88 tips have merit
and make sense. To order the book, email info@frogand- prince.com. The book is
also available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com.
QUOTES DEPT:
"We had a
tremendous experience with Your Chamber Connection, who provided our chamber's most
successful membership event in over 20 years. It was great to
watch Lorraine & Jimmy do their magic with our volunteers. It was my first
experience with an outside membership consultant in 25 years in chamber work.
I’m glad I finally saw the light! We'll have Your Chamber Connection back! "
Gary Plummer, President
1,709 members strong!
NON_DUES INCOME DEPT: Have you been looking for something new and
different to present to your Board of Directors? We just might have something
for you. It’s a new idea that’s a win/win for your members and for the Chamber!
Call
IN MEMORIUM DEPT: One of our favorite all-time comics died
earlier this month ........ In his own words, here's a
tribute to him:
-I'm ok now but last week I was in rough
shape.. you know.
Why? Its been a rough day. I got up this morning, put
on a shirt, and a button fell off. I picked up my briefcase and the handle came
off. I'm afraid to go to the bathroom!
I looked up my family tree and found out I was the sap.
I come from a stupid family. During the civil war my great uncle fought for the
west!
My father was stupid. He worked in a bank and they caught him stealing pens.
My mother had morning sickness after I was born!
My father carries around the picture of the kid who came with his wallet.
Some dog I got too. We call him
His favorite bone is in my arm!
On Halloween the parents send their kids out looking like me.
Now it's different.. when I
answer
the door the kids hand me candy.
When my old man wanted sex.. My mother would show him
a picture of me.
This morning when I put on my under wear I could hear the Fruit of the Loom
guys laughing at me.
A girl phoned me and said, "Come on over there's nobody home." I went
over. Nobody was home!
A hooker once told me she had a
headache.
I was making love to this girl and
she started crying. I said, "Are you going to hate yourself in the
morning?" She said.. "No..
I hatemyself now."
During sex my wife always wants to talk to me. Just the other night she called
me from a hotel.
We
will miss you Rodney!
Have we been busy
since our last newsletter? I guess you could say that. We have been to Liberal,
KS ($25,335); Bethany, OK ($27,285); Santa Clarita, CA ($45,455); Sacramento,
CA ($55900); Modesto, CA ($37,745); The Colony, TX ($21,965); Nacogdoches, TX
($29,650); Pharr, TX ($42,133); Houston, N. Channel, TX ($43,340); Tulare, CA
($31,544); Richardson, TX ($33,657)! And some of you wonder why we can’t fit you
in when you call 30, 60, or 90 days before you want an Event!
Call now (800/678-6241) to reserve a 2nd half 2005 date!