In its simplest form, the Chamber STIR is a networking event. When I reentered the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom and at my workplace, I often saw fliers about Business After Hours on the employee bulletin boards. I had no idea what that was. I was curious, and it wasn’t until after I started working for the Chamber of Commerce that I learned what a Networking event was.
Attending networking events is the best way to build your business and meet new potential clients/customers. These events provide a relaxed, casual atmosphere to mingle with people from various industries. The best client/customer relationships are built on relationships. It is taking the time to meet new people, learn their names, and learn about them that makes relationships.
One of the Chamber Myths is that the Chamber STIR is only for the business owner or managers. Absolutely not. It doesn’t matter what your position or title is at your place of work. As an employee, you are an ambassador for your business.
The Jerome Chamber STIR (Socialize, Talk, Interact, Remember). Formally, Business After Hours is suitable for anyone to attend, and here is why.
- Raise Brand Awareness
- You are an ambassador for your employer. Making a good impression on others will drive them to do business with you.
- Cultivate Business Relationships
- Do not expect new business immediately. Relationships take time, and it takes consistency. It is meeting the same person often more than once. This is where learning the skill of remembering people’s names is important. One of the first blog posts written for the Jerome Chamber is about remembering names. It is an art form to remember someone’s name and something about them so that you can ask about them or their interests the next time you see them. And this builds trust.
- Invite a friend!
- Attending networking events can be scary. Bringing a colleague can help you feel more comfortable. If you are an introvert, you must step out of your comfort zone and be an extravert for the evening. I asked some regular attendees what made them attend their first Chamber STIR. Their answer was networking. Their reward is increased clients for their place of employment and the friendships they have built along the way.
- Bring a raffle item.
- Bring your company swag in a fun gift basket for the raffle. This helps promote your business, especially if the gift basket includes a gift certificate the winner must redeem at your place of business.
- Have FUN!