The Importance of Networking

Welcome to the June, 2010, edition of the Santa Clarita Valley Business Journal. As President / CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, it is always my honor to provide insight to our organization in the pages of this publication.

As you may be aware, the SCV Chamber of Commerce has a membership comprised of 1,200 businesses, all of which fall into one of three size categories: small, medium or large. No matter the size of the company, each business faces its own unique challenges when trying to remain competitive in today’s ever changing market.

The Chamber is here to assist all of our member organizations by helping them to remain top of mind among the general public and their target audiences. One of the most effective tools the Chamber offers to its membership is the opportunity to network. These networking opportunities take place several times a month and provide our members with the chance to create lasting and significant business relationships, which ultimately result in more business and lasting success. Networking may be an overused word in today’s business world, but it’s hard to deny the impact of effective networking and the results it can bring to your bottom line.

Technology has made our world faster and more competitive, and certainly much of the networking that takes place today is done through social networking sites and other related software that allow us to stay connected at the touch of a button. That being said, and even in today’s lightning quick global economy, there is still a case to be made for one-on-one “networking” with a real person standing in front of you. We may appreciate the speed and efficiency of our technology driven contact opportunities, but there is something vey satisfying and effective about getting to know a potential customer or future business associate while standing face-to-face at an event, engaging in old fashioned conversation about your respective businesses.

It is exactly these types of networking opportunities that the Chamber strives to provide its members with in addition to technology driven contact opportunities. One of the things I’ve always liked about living in the Santa Clarita Valley is the connected, communal feeling of our town, which provides constant testament to the power of the Chamber’s networking effectiveness. There is rarely a time I venture out into the community on a weekend, that I do not encounter a variety of business owners and other community members who I’ve had the privilege of getting to know through Chamber of Commerce events over the years.

When new members join the Chamber, I always make it a point to tell them the following: “People in Santa Clarita do business with people they know ... and people they like.” The opportunity for people to get to know you is best accomplished by meeting them in person and allowing them to get a feel for who you are as a person and the contributions you make to our business community. The Chamber provides each of our members with a variety of opportunities for face to face networking. Networking is a personal thing and the Chamber has different venues each month for you to find your most effective comfort zone: Good Morning! SCV Networking Breakfast, Business After Hours Mixer, Chamber Monthly Luncheon, Grand Openings, Lunch & Learn Seminars, Special Events, Ambassador Program, and Chamber Committees. All of these opportunities are detailed on the Chamber website www. scvchamber.com.

More than ever, the personal touch in business really counts. I, along with Chamber staff members Cheryl Ramirez, Nichole Swanson and Crystal Collatos, stand ready to assist you and your business in any way we can. Thank you for the opportunity to work with each of you, and thank you for your ongoing membership in the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.