The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce wants to help local business people leapfrog their way to networking success this fall.
The Chamber has planned a series of two networking breakfasts based on the best-selling book by Darcy Rezac: Work the Pond—Use the Power of Positive Networking to Leap Forward in Work and Life.
The workshops will be held Sept. 13 and 27 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the White Spot Restaurant at 2299 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay.
“We presented this topic at a luncheon last spring and received rave reviews on the presentation and content,” says Chamber president and CEO, Dianne Hawkins. “Based on that feedback, we decided to expand the program and another opportunity for people to learn more Work the Pond networking techniques. The two 45-minute workshops will be facilitated by our marketing and communications coordinator, Terri Perrin.”
Perrin, an award winning writer, joined the Chamber last April, bringing a wealth of marketing and business expertise to the team. As a self-employed small business owner for more than two decades, Perrin has done more than her fair share of networking. She credits her own efforts ‘Working the Pond’ and building her ‘social capital’ to securing her current position at the Chamber. A job, she says, that she loves.
“I moved here from Alberta in March 2009 and immediately got busy networking,” explains Perrin. “The first meeting I attended – at the Home-Based and Small Business Association – I am sure I looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"But I must have been doing something right … the Association later awarded me the 2010 New Business of the Year and the 2011 Business of the Year awards. So, I know from experience, positive networking works!”
Perrin adds that using the entertaining — but oh so true — analogy of frogs in a pond as the basis for these networking techniques helps people relax and let go of their fear of walking into a room with the hope of making new business connections.
“Work the Pond author Darcy Rezac firmly believes that positive networking can do much more than help you succeed; it can help you become a better, more giving person, a person who makes a real contribution to society and those around you," concludes Perrin. “I look forward to sharing some of his tips and techniques in what is certain to be an informative and fun series of workshops.”
The Work the Pond breakfasts are being sponsored by Daryl Robbins, CGA and Notary Public. Robbins will spend five minutes talking about the financial planning and tax preparation services he and his associates provide and give a brief synopsis of his role as a Notary Public in the Comox Valley.
For more about him visit www.darylrobbins.ca.
A bonus Sept. 13 will be a five-minute presentation by the organizers of the North Island College’s FLAVOUR: The North Island’s Gourmet Picnic. You’ll learn first-hand from the organizers about this delicious upcoming event. for more, see www.gourmetpicnic.ca.
You may choose to attend the Sept. 13 or 27 presentations but will get the most benefit from attending both. Different material will be covered in each one.
Tickets are $20 per session for Chamber members and $24 for non-members. It’s the best networking deal in town as admission includes a continental breakfast, tip, tax and presentation materials.
Pre-registration is required. Be sure to wear a name tag and bring your business cards. You are also welcome to bring a door prize — it’s another great way to promote your business and yourself.
For more information on the Work the Pond Networking Breakfasts, call 250-334-3234 or register at www.comoxvalleychamber.com.
— Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce