Making Your Chamber Membership Work for You

Part 2. Forging Local Relationships

Last month I discussed the topic of Increasing the Value of Your Membership.

This month, I’ll continue onto Part 2 of 3 which will highlight the importance of relationships and relationship building.

As a seven year member of the Rhinebeck Area Chamber of Commerce (RACoC), I’ve learned that one of the core values that my fellow members share with me is that we value doing business locally. We value the relationships we create with fellow business owners, employees and community members. These relationships serve as the lifeblood of many of our businesses. The RACoC provides a direct channel to building and sustaining relationships in our local Rhinebeck Area community.

Relationships are Key

For more than a decade, local businesses have faced increasing competition in the market place. Options for consumers to do business over the internet and with big chain stores has left our local business community with the daunting task of attracting and retaining small town business in a large market place. Building relationships founded on trust, loyalty, and competence will serve to give our members a competitive edge over businesses that are not local. These relationships also enable you to differentiate yourself from the competition. Typically, relationships don’t cost much. However, they do require an investment of time or other resources.

Tips for Forging Local Relationships

  1. Be Authentic: You are the only you and as such are one of kind- don’t be afraid to show who you are or are not.
  2. Be Consistent: Be consistent in communications and in your message. In fact, the RACoC will be offering membership packages that include sponsorships and ads so your business can consistently communicate your message.
  3. Pay Attention to Detail: Attention to detail helps build trust, and often will impress your customers. Attention to detail also helps differentiate yourself and is one of the best things you can do in running an extraordinary business.
  4. Listen: Listen to determine needs of others in your community. Relationships are a two way street and require effective communication. Once you can determine need, it could help you with #5 (see below).
  5. Give: Those who give something of value hold the keys to the kingdom. In business relationships this can be in the form of solutions, support, advice, collaboration, referrals, or even gifts. Giving your time and attention to an individual or customer is often perceived as good service and creates loyalty.

Opportunities

Our chamber offers many opportunities for relationship building such as our monthly business breakfasts, business after hours, or seasonal events such as our upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting, and State of Rhinebeck/Good Egg Award Annual dinner. The RACoC offers memberships for a nominal fee while delivering opportunities to build relationships, network and communicate your business’s message.

Check in next month as we preview the opportunities and exciting events we have planned for next year in my third article entitled “Rhinebeck Area Chamber of Commerce 2015: Planning Ahead.”