The Ideal Chamber - February 2010

The Ideal Chamber newsletter is published monthly right here by former Chamber Exec turned Visibility Consultant, Mary Kurek. It's free to Chambers or anyone, so hit the subscribe RSS feed button bottom left to keep it coming.

I just had lunch with a couple of friends - one is the Membership Director of our Chamber of Commerce. The other is the Sales Manager for a hotel chain in the area. Both, high-level "connectors" off-line. But, as for online...maybe not so much. A few months ago, I convinced our Membership Director to get on Twitter and Linkedin. She's on them now, but doesn't have the time to use them regularly. She admitted to me today, however, that she tweeted out details on an after hours event recently and had someone tweet a response right back to her within minutes. She liked that.

Our friend, the hotel sales gal, admitted that she feels clueless when it comes to using online "technology" to help her in her efforts to find business. I believe her, because, when I asked her if she offered free "Wi-Fi"to her hotel guests, she said no, but she does offer free Internet. Yeah, I smiled, but I'm not laughing at her, because I've had 30 year-old clients who didn't know what Twitter was and only know how to e-mail.

I honestly think the word "technology" scares people. A lot of reasons why:

--it screams $$$

--makes you think you're gonna need to be a member of Mensa to understand it

--makes you think of equipment - the kind that costs a fortune to maintain or repair

--makes you think if you make a mistake, you cannot undo it.

While technology can mean gadgets and software...it can also simply mean a new process for doing something. It may not cost you anything but a few brain cells and a bit of time. And, you can use the same computer you use now.

But, here's the big reason Chambers need to wrap themselves around technology:

You can't really offer workshops that train your members on how to use online resources or how to upgrade/automate office procedures if the Chamber, itself, isn't learning and growing, too.

So, I'm dedicating this issue to helping you and your members learn how to use new ways to do old things.

Your reprintable article is below, but pay attention...everything in it is pertinent to the Chamber.

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It's Time For Tech: Cleaning up the Dirty Word!

by Mary Kurek, Visibility Consultant and Professional Networker
http://www.marykurek.com

Time to get with the program, my friends. We're gonna talk tech. Get your fingers out of your ears. I'm no tech geek, but I have learned over the last couple of years what an incredible (and I do mean incredible) difference it has made to my business to get a bit savvy on the subject.

Yes, there are amazing gizmos and gadgets out there that can help you do your business faster, easier, better, and more "on target." And, there's also some easy, no cost or low cost tools that bring benefit, as well. It's primarily the latter that I want to concentrate on. So, let's get "googling."

To keep this really simple, I'm going to take to you to a "one-stop-shop" for online technology that can help you conduct your business...Google. It's not just for searching anymore.

If you have a free "gmail" account, then you probably know some of this, but I don't want to assume. If you don't have a gmail account, go to http://www.google.com and register for a free account. Here's some of the neat technology from Google that can help you.

Google Calendar: Add items to your online calendar - share the calendar with anyone you wish - in seconds, set up alerts to be sent to your cell phone on anything important (my fave). Set up recurring events.

Google Chat: A business partner of mine and I chat a lot of mornings via Google - we can see when each other is available. I can do this while I'm checking my e-mail from the same dashboard. Quick/easy.

Google Documents: You can upload documents from your computer and download them back to your computer in pdf form. You can upload excel files, contracts, or documents in progress. Share the link with a client or colleague and even allow editing. Saves the e-mailing back and forth thing. For my professional networking clients, I upload an excel sheet that keeps track of connections and contact information. I update it and the client has the link to check it whenever he wants.

Google Dashboard Right where you check your e-mail, you can select to add in web-clips for news you like (CNN, BusinessWeek, Forbes, or sports or lifestyle news). You can add a world clock in the dash, in case you are working with customers across the US or the big pond. You can label and organize your e-mails. To the left of my inbox, I have labels for ongoing projects, like client prospects, pending, and newsletter tidbits. Google will also string together e-mail conversations, so you can keep track of the flow easier. Dictionary, Thesaurus, and even your Facebook stream can be pulled into your Google dash. You'll live here.

Then you can get a little crazier...

Google WaveThis was a new thing about a year ago. It was sent out in "beta" form with people who received the invitations to do the beta (or trial) gifted with e-mail invitations to give to others that they might include in a "wave." Little meaty to explain here (so check out the well-done video clip). I have Google Wave and (I have some invitations, if any of you wish to try it.) I used it last week - starting a conversation with my intern in Spain on the types of projects we'd be doing. As I was typing out the projects and my expectations - in real time - Greg was seeing everything I typed as I was typing it, and responding with comments and questions. It cut the negotiation time down in a huge way.

Guess you can tell I'm a Google fan, but, just so you hear it from someone else, here's a link to a blog posting on the subject. The author offers his own take on what will help you. You'll find some non-Google stuff here, too.

10 Awesome Online Tools Your Small Business Should Be Using. Click here

Just to really blow you away, here are a couple of friends who are working with some technology offerings that make life easier for people in the HR and Hospitality industries:

andsome app: is an iPhone app that includes a Jobs Twitter Feed of the vacancies/opps at the andsome client companies.

Qvews A fast, economical way for a CVB to connect each visitor with interesting attractions, dining, lodging and offers.

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Income Producers

SPEED NETWORKING - lots of Chambers are devising on their speed networking events now, but I'm not sure how many are using it as a regular income-producer. Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce uses their popular Speed Networking Event as a "sponsorship opportunity." http://www.flagstaffchamber.com/ad_sponsorshipOpportunities.php

The Mohawk Valley Chamber charges just $10 for their events hosted by a member. http://www.oneidacountycourier.com/utica-new-york-news/the-celtic-harp-t...

If your Chamber hasn't jumped on the Speed Networking bandwagon, here's a tip - make it a committee-driven event so you can save on your staff time.

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Get The Most From Institute

This is gonna seem too simple, but, in light of the focus of this issue, here it is:

Get thee in front of the most technologically savvy Chamber Exec at Institute you can find. Grab 30 minutes with them and take notes. If you are techno-literate, spread your wealth of knowledge. Other Chambers need the help.

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ChamberFix

Q: How do I motivate the Chamber staff to embrace any form of technology?

A: Make them attend the same training you provide your members on the subject. Tell them not to get up from the name tag table and enjoy coffee time in the lobby -- require them to participate (even if they growl at you). Create a deal with a techno-savvy member to spend some time with your staff educating them on the simple first steps.

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Chamber Resources

Going Virtual with Matt Mullenweg
http://www.inc.com/

Why Do People Still Shop in Stores When They Can Go Online by Doreen Martel

Ten Strategies for Engaging Gen Y in The Workplace
http://ow.ly/1ap0p

60 Really Useful Minutes on How Apprenticeships Can Help Your Company Grow

Understanding the Difference Between Branding and Positioning

The Seasons of a CEOs Life
http://familybusinesswiki.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-seasons-of-a-ceos-...

Does Your Non Profit Major in Minor
http://ow.ly/18bow

Delaware Small Business Social Media Train
http://ow.ly/13Q3B

Social Small Biz Case Study

UK Corporate Games 2010 Invitation to Chamber Members (Greater Manchester Chamber)