What is Business Networking?

Business networking is when a group of like-minded business people gather to meet and help each other.  That doesn't mean that every time you attend a networking meeting you are going to immediately make a contact with someone who can help you with your business or that you can help them.  Networking is not about how many business cards you give out or how many people you talk to in one night.  It does however provide an opportunity for you to build relationships with other business people in your community and that is never a bad thing.  You may make a favourable impression with someone about yourself or your business and not even realize it.  When you do make an important contact, follow up afterwards with a note or a card or an invitation to have coffee together to discuss your mutual interests.  These are 10 basic rules of good networking:

• Do not have the attitude of "what's in it for me"?
• Be a good listener.
• Build relationships.
• Give referrals for other services or businesses besides your own that may be useful to your fellow "networkers".
• Do not ask for referrals without explaining your needs - tell them your "story".
• Be specific about the type of referral you are giving or wanting.
• Always thank the person who gave you the referral.
• Follow up on the referral as soon as possible.
• Let the person know that "so&so" referred you to them.
• Have fun!

Merritt Business Networking in February

Wednesday, February 11th - The Merritt & District Chamber of Commerce is OPEN every second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 am for members to come in for POSITIVE POWER COFFEE HOUR.  Come in and tell us something positive about the business community that you have experienced in the past month.  Your business may be featured in the Merritt Herald the following week.

Thursday, February 19, 5 pm - The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology is the host of the Chamber's Business after Business this month.  Attendees will be given a tour of the new health lab, the trades trailer and the student residence.  

A reminder that On March 5, 2009, N.V.I.T. will be holding their 6th annual Business Case Competition at the Civic Centre. Students in the Administrative Studies Department are grouped into teams and given a real-life situation that a business executive may face concerning finance, marketing or human resources – or it could be a general strategy case incorporating many areas. The students are only told 3 hours in advance what the business case is about, and can only use their education and creativity to present their analysis and solution to a panel of business executives in the community.  In the past, these studies have included challenges faced by companies such as La Senza, lululemon athletica and Nike.  In fact, the business case involving Nike allowed the students to see the Nike 5.0 shoes 3 weeks before they hit the stores. You can download a reservation form to attend the Business Case Competition at the Civic Centre from our December newsletter on this web site or you can call Charlene Joe at 250-378-3394.

Top Ten Business Listings in February are:

Nicola Ranch Tourism           - 234
Conayt Friendship Society     - 233
Elks Lodge                         - 211
NV District Food Bank          - 208
Grand Pub & Grill                 - 199
Chystal Gardens                  - 192
TBM Cleaning Services         - 191
Millco Safety Services          - 185 **New Top Ten**
Radio NL                           - 181
VSA Highway Maintenance  - 178

There is now 67 businesses that have more than 100 hits to their listing on our business directory.  Last month there was only 50.  The highest rating in the top ten last month was 212 and this month it is 234.