www.sdchamber.org

Membership Update

By Doug Holman, Vice President of Membership

A recent conversation with a friend reminded me of something that happened to me a couple of years ago, which I find relevant in my current role at the Chamber. My wife, Kim, signed the two of us up to attend her high school reunion.  Because I did not attend the school, for the most part I was poised to be on the outside looking in. I was not thrilled about going, but dutifully put it on my calendar.  I figured that by doing the right thing I would amass enough honey-do points for a round of guilt-free golf.  A funny thing happened. I attended the function and actually had a pretty good time because Kim introduced me to several interesting and fun people.

It occurs to me now, five years later, that I was Kim’s safety net. By having me there she knew that there would be a friendly face, a shoulder to lean on and someone to talk to if nobody else would. At July’s New Member Reception I asked our newest members how many of them were attending with a guest or coworker. I was pleased to see that approximately 25% had done just that. When I asked why, I was given the following reasons:

1. It is easier to meet people when you have a friendly face nearby.
2. Inviting a guest increases the resolve to show up – you don’t want to let the other person down.
3. One member at the reception was a guest of her boss.  I am not sure who got the better part of the deal, but they were both there.

I was pleased to hear the reasoning behind each decision to bring a guest. Inviting a guest to Chamber events is a great idea, and we highly recommend that every member use this technique as a strategy. The following are a few other reasons to invite a guest:

1. Invite a customer – the invitation will give you a reason to say hello without asking for anything in return. Spending time together will further your relationship.
2. Connect people  – use the Chamber event as a way to introduce people within your circle of influence to one another.
3. Share information – pay attention to subject matter for all Chamber events. This will enable you to point out relevant content to individuals within your circle of influence.

Experiencing success is a product of planning. Inviting guests to join you at Chamber events will make these experiences easier and more rewarding for everyone involved. Please contact Marta Lomeli, mlomeli@sdchamber.org, or your Chamber representative, to better understand your membership benefits and to learn more about Chamber events.