Veterans Chamber of Commerce By Joseph Molina www.vccsd.org
VETERANS AND THE BENEFITS OF NETWORKING Making connections and building relationships with people is vital to the growth of your business. It goes without saying that if you want to travel fast, go alone; but if you want to travel far, go with others. Ironically, networking – building connections and relationships and developing trust – with others is a fast track to developing a successful business. Networking helps with building relationships, becoming part of a community that share common goals and/or ideologies with you. Is Networking Beneficial? There are many benefits that are associated with networking as there are many networking groups today. Chambers of Commerce afford many benefits to it’s members. From supporting your business with resources to setting up opportunities for members to connect and promote each other’s business. Networking helps with business development and provides a platform for you to identify those who may support your vision, establish partnerships and potentially drive new customers to your business. The key therefore is to find the right Chamber of Commerce or networking group that “fits’ with your business and your networking style. Let’s look at some of the benefits of networking at a local Chamber of Commerce How to Network Despite the amazing benefits associated with networking, many people still find it difficult and do not know how to network, many of them still think that networking is selling, and it is far from that. Networking is about establishing business relationships with likeminded individuals who may be interested in connecting further with you. The Networking Mindset For some, networking is easy; while for others, it can be more difficult. Keep in mind that everyone in the networking group is hoping to connect with others and each is interested in what others have to offer. 58
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Entering to a networking group with the mindset such as “I am here to see who can buy my product” is just the wrong approach. Entering a networking group with a mindset of collaboration, helping others and looking for ways to partner with other members is a much better mindset. Best Practices 1. Expand your perspective Talking with members of the group, engaging in activities, participating in community focused events are the best ways to “give back” and be recognized in the community. If your business serves the local community, there is no better way than getting involved with your local chamber and participate in the events that the chamber organizes. This approach will fast-track your business connections and become more visible in the community. What if your business serves a wider region than just a local community? We know that joining a Chamber of Commerce may be expensive, find out if they offer Military/Veteran benefits or discounts. The National Veterans Chamber of Commerce has created “Partnerships” with civilian Chambers of Commerce who accept and recognize The (FREE) National Veterans Chamber Membership giving the veteran the advantage of Dual-Membership. Check with your local chamber or contact the National Veterans Chamber of Commerce for a list of Veteran-Friendly Chambers. 2. Helps with Growth Another benefit of networking is that it allows for an increase of connections and resources that will help your business prepare when ready to grow. 3. Get More Visibility Participating in Community based activities, collaborating with the Chamber and participating with other local networking groups is the best strategy to become “visible” and for people in the community to know who you are and increase the likelihood of becoming your customer.