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| Volume 3, Issue 5 |
Membership Update Every now and again, I wonder if my approach to business is going the way of the steam engine, horse drawn buggy or the tape recorder. Each of these great inventions has been long replaced for the better through technological advances. Just about everyone these days has their hands on technology—my 75-year old father has a website. I cannot dispute that technology is amazing. At our current pace, I would not be shocked if we started beaming people places like on Star Trek.
It is the social aspects of technology that have me concerned. LinkedIn is the current rage, or maybe its Facebook, MySpace, no, wait, let me check Google, that’s right, today it’s Twitter. To the best of my knowledge, every member of these sites participates for free. So I guess that means that everyone who is savvy wants to be really connected -- while at the same time, nobody wants to pay for the privilege.
Can we really get to know an individual or their business by exchanging emails, blogging, reading a webpage or viewing a video? I find it hard to believe that the opinion of one, ten or even one hundred random endorsements means more than the advice of a trusted friend, colleague or advisor. Hey, if it is written in the paper it must be true, right? Seriously, where did our cynicism go? It keeps us safe and helps us make better decisions.
As a member of the Chamber, you are part of an exclusive group of professionals—businesses and individuals that have placed a financial investment in their future and the privilege of looking you in the eye. By attending Chamber events they are able to use each of their senses to communicate without a delete or backspace key to improve their message. Let me be very clear in my thinking so that my inbox does not blow-up. I believe that technology is incredible in ways too numerous to count. Social networking has its place though that landscape is not clearly defined. Yes, I am LinkedIn as are most of our members are, who also blog and Tweet. Yet with all of that social networking at our fingertips, attendance at our events and trainings are through the roof. It confirms that direct human contact and interaction will never be replaced. The Chamber continues to be the best place to sell you—so join us often to perfect the art of meeting and speaking with professionals. Trust me, the Internet will be there when you get home!
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