Ideal Chamber-July 2009

Welcome to the July (almost August) issue of The Ideal Chamber.

Yes, I know, it looks different...again. The site is still under re-construction to reflect a fresh approach to business.

It seems fitting to mention the "fresh approach," because this issue will be dealing with the lack of interest you may be sensing from members. And, the first step in overcoming that situation is to take a new look at old ways.

Your ChamberFix will give you some ideas for handling apathy among members, and, thanks to the Deputy Lt. Governor of MO, you'll get some feedback on an event designed to "rally the troops" and have fun at the same time.

Be sure to check over the links to Chamber Resources in the box to the lower right.

Let's get started...

This month's reprintable article provides your members with spirit-lifting actions to reacquaint them with their community.

REPRINTABLE ARTICLE: COPY & PASTE INTO YOUR OWN NEWSLETTER. KEEP CREDIT IN PLACE.

How To Get Our Groove Back

Mary Kurek, Visibility Consultant
www.marykurek.com

We've all heard enough sad stories related to this recession to fill a rain bucket, and even if we aren't as impacted as others, the news can't help but dampen spirits.

The tendency can be to react by retreating. When you retreat, you pull away from possibilities and opportunities. You withdraw yourself from delivering those same things to others. Your talent, your wisdom, energy, and intelligence are all needed - now more than ever.

But, from what well do you draw this magic "happy juice" to get into a mingling mood? How do you adopt a fresh outlook and new perspective on business, life, and community? Here are some ideas:

1) Get thee to a beach...or a mountain. Nature's simplicity invigorates and relaxes. You don't need a 2-week vacation, either - just find the environment that works for you for a few hours. Walk it, bike it, climb it, dig in it, swim in it, or just observe it. Getting your head out of the usual atmosphere invites different thoughts. Some of my most creative ideas have come from beach walks (ie: Taking shrimp to the Buffalo Bills during their spring training camp. Sons got to meet players up close.)

2) Engage in extraordinary networking. I have clients that have told me that they'd never blog or never post on Twitter. Here's what I say: I just got off of the phone with the Deputy Lt. Governor of the State of MO (to interview him for this newsletter). I found him on Twitter.

The inspiration for my web site reconstruction came from The Red Recruiter in Texas (met him on Twitter).

I just did 3-days of work for a client across town that I met through a Twitter contact.

A couple of weeks ago, I helped a woman connect with two Marines who saved her husband from drowning at a local beach over 4th of July. She contacted me through Twitter.
Need I say more?

3) Take a Mini Fam Tour - This is tourism lingo. "Fam" (short for familiarization) is an organized tour of travel writers and travel agents and meeting planners who are invited to a town to get familiar with the offerings.

You may have lived in your town all of your life, but I'm betting there is some park, library, community center, or historical residence you've not experienced. Go alone or with a group, but, like heading to the beach, this is an act designed to open your head to new ideas.

4) This is a "tuffy," but the best way to dig yourself out of self-consuming thought is to put your thoughts elsewhere. It's very easy during these times to feel overly conscious about our own situations, which can be a reason for reclusive behavior. The answer to that is to volunteer to help others. This one action uplifts two-fold and serves in so many ways, you are bound to reap reward as long as you go at it with an open spirit. Talk to your Chamber Membership Director for more suggestions.

Just a few ideas, but ones with significant and proven impact. Stay connected to your community and your Chamber. You business and your (self) will appreciate.

INCOME PRODUCING IDEAS:

Okay, this month's offering has less to do with making profit as it does getting members to have fun and interact with the Chamber.

Kickball-a-Palooza:

This was such a nifty idea when I heard about it that I googled the word yesterday and came up with a tweet by Missouri's Deputy Lt. Governor, Jerry Dowell, who invited me to call him for a phone interview.

Here's Jerry's comments on the event:

"A great event that drew about 300 people with approximately 15 teams. I was there to observe the activity, but I think they ought to challenge Jefferson next year to a competition. Great fun!"

Jerry says his wife is part of a women's networking group at the Columbia Chamber-how cool is that? They bought audience tickets (about $10 each), enjoyed some food and watched the activities. Says this was the Chamber's first such event and thought it could easily become a major fundraiser.

Here are some links to some publicity on the event:

http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f1...
http://www.socket.net/community

My afterthoughts: If you google "kickball," you'll come up with links to tournaments - who knew it was that popular? And, note to Columbia Chamber - grab Jerry's words as an endorsement of the event to place on your site.

GETTING THE MOST OF YOUR INSTITUTE EXPERIENCE

Use your Institute materials to educate your members. As I recall, you are sent some great books to read before you get to Institute—most of them contain wonderful information transferable to the “for profit” community. One of my favorites is “Leadership is an Art” by Max Depree.

When you return, plan a workshop around some of these materials or others that you acquire while there. Deconstruct some of the materials into worksheets or questionnaires, write an article or blog posting based on one and use it in your newsletter. Add a reading list to your Chamber site and include some of these “finds.”

CHAMBERFIX:

Q: How do I “fix” apathy among Chamber members?

A: That sense of disconnectedness or disinterest you may be experiencing from members (particularly the small business owner) is likely related to the economy.

Your members may feel that attention to business is the priority or that money is tight enough to keep them from participating like normal. Understand it and create a plan of action that correlates with the issues they are facing. In other words, if time is an issue, then address timing on events.

Instead of weekly or monthly networking events, maybe you change to speed-networking events. If you hold one monthly luncheon, but are noticing a drop in attendance, then perhaps you break that into two monthly options with an effort on splitting the locations up to make it easier on attendees.

To pull in those that have totally fallen off track, intensify your ambassadors club efforts–take the Chamber to the members by dropping off directories, newsletters, and lists of free resources. Instead of always going to collect $ for something, go deliver something. Of course, you could e-mail them, but if you are trying to win over apathy, you’re going to have to get personal. Good luck!

HOW TO BOOK A MONTH OF BUSINESS

Recorded webinar (about 30 minutes narrated PowerPoint). Granting access for $75 (credit cards accepted) to Chambers of Commerce that wish to create an inhouse event for their network marketers that book in-home parties or workshops - or require hosted events.

Charge a fee, add a sponsor...and you'll be providing a service and making a few bucks. E-mail me to discuss your Chamber event and how to incorporate this webinar that details exactly how to secure at least four bookings for hosted events. mary@marykurek.com

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This newsletter is provided as a service from Mary Kurek, Inc., Visibility Consulting. If you'd like to be added to the e-mail list, send your name and e-mail address to mary@marykurek.com